In football, few moments are as tense as a penalty kick. One strike of the ball can decide games, championships, and careers. While many players boast impressive penalty stats, only a select few have managed to maintain a Perfect Penalty Record. These players demonstrated extraordinary mental strength, technique, and composure to never miss from the spot. Whether under World Cup lights or in club competitions, they consistently delivered when it mattered most. This list celebrates those elite players who turned penalties into art, ranking the top 10 players who have never missed a penalty or came incredibly close to perfection throughout their careers. Let’s count them down from 10 to 1.
10. Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli might not have had a flawless disciplinary record, but when it came to taking penalties, he was remarkably consistent. During his prime, the Italian striker converted 38 out of 41 penalties, maintaining a conversion rate of 92.7%. Known for his calm and composed approach, Balotelli would often pause in his run-up, read the goalkeeper, and slot the ball with ease.
While he doesn’t strictly hold a Perfect Penalty Record, his success rate places him among the elite. His penalty technique was so composed that it baffled even the best goalkeepers. Clubs like Inter Milan, Manchester City, and AC Milan benefited from his reliability from the spot.
Balotelli’s most iconic penalty came during Euro 2012 against Germany in the semi-final, where he blasted a goal with power and confidence. While a few misses prevent him from being higher on this list, his near-perfect record makes him a standout in modern football.
For players looking to emulate a Perfect Penalty Record, Balotelli’s blend of confidence and technique offers a fascinating blueprint, despite the rare miss.
9. Matt Le Tissier
When it comes to reliability, few players come close to Matt Le Tissier. The Southampton legend scored 25 out of 26 penalties in his career, achieving a conversion rate of 96.2%. His style was unique — he would never use power but rather placed the ball with impeccable precision. His calm demeanor under pressure made his spot-kick routine nearly unbeatable.
Le Tissier spent his entire senior career at Southampton, and his ability to convert penalties consistently helped his side survive multiple relegation battles in the Premier League. The only penalty he ever missed was saved by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley, which remains a famous moment in English football history.
Despite not having a Perfect Penalty Record, Le Tissier is still widely respected for his exceptional accuracy. The confidence he showed in high-pressure situations was a testament to his technical skill and mental toughness.
For many fans and analysts, Le Tissier’s penalty stats set a benchmark for midfielders. His legacy remains intact, not just for his goals but for being one of the most reliable penalty takers in English football history.
8. James Milner
James Milner might not always be in the spotlight, but his penalty record speaks volumes. He has scored 29 out of 30 penalties, boasting a conversion rate of 96.6%, making him one of the most dependable spot-kick takers in Premier League history. Milner is a player known for discipline, hard work, and consistency — all traits essential for achieving a near Perfect Penalty Record.
Playing for clubs like Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Liverpool, Milner was often the go-to man for penalties, especially during tense match moments. His technique was simple but effective — he often aimed low and hard, giving goalkeepers little chance to react.
While he doesn’t have a perfect record, missing only one spot kick in his entire senior career is still remarkable. What sets Milner apart is his composure. Even when facing elite goalkeepers under immense pressure, he rarely flinched.
Milner’s calm presence on the pitch made him an asset in high-stakes matches, particularly in the Champions League. His contribution to Liverpool’s 2019 triumph included key penalties converted throughout the campaign.
7. Cole Palmer
At just 22, Cole Palmer tops the list with a flawless penalty streak in the Premier League. Having scored all 12 penalties he’s taken so far — most notably for Chelsea during the 2024–25 season — Palmer has become one of the most trusted spot-kick takers in English football.
Palmer’s success lies in his incredible poise. Despite his young age, he often steps up in high-pressure moments and delivers calmly. His ability to place the ball exactly where he wants, often waiting for the keeper to commit, is a sign of remarkable maturity.
What makes Palmer’s Perfect Penalty Record even more impressive is that most of his penalties have come in crucial league games — late match-winners or equalisers. His accuracy, composure, and mental resilience mark him as one of the brightest penalty talents today.
If Palmer maintains this perfect streak, he could go down as one of the all-time greats in penalty history. For now, he remains at the top of the perfect list, with a flawless record that even the legends envy.
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6. Jan Koller
Jan Koller may be remembered for his height and aerial dominance, but his penalty-taking ability was equally impressive. The towering Czech striker never missed a single penalty in his professional career, scoring over 30 penalties with a 100% success rate, which qualifies him for a Perfect Penalty Record.
Known for his time at Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, and Anderlecht, Koller possessed not just physical strength but also surprising finesse. Despite his intimidating stature, he had a delicate touch when it came to spot-kicks. He would often deceive goalkeepers with his placement rather than power.
His perfect record wasn’t just about stats — it reflected mental strength. Koller handled pressure situations with the same ease as he handled crosses into the box. Every penalty he took was measured, calculated, and expertly executed.
Jan Koller’s penalty record remains lesser known due to the attention given to his heading and physical attributes. But those who followed his career closely recognize his incredible composure from 12 yards, making him a true member of the Perfect Penalty Record elite.
5. Vladislav Stoyanov
It’s rare for a goalkeeper to be mentioned in a list of penalty scorers, but Vladislav Stoyanov, the Bulgarian shot-stopper, is a surprising name. Known for saving penalties, he also had a Perfect Penalty Record — scoring 24 out of 24 penalties when called upon during shootouts and rare in-game chances.
Primarily playing for Chernomorets Burgas and Ludogorets Razgrad, Stoyanov gained fame for his confidence and calmness, even when stepping up to the spot. Goalkeepers usually don’t take penalties unless they’re exceptionally gifted, and Stoyanov certainly was.
His contributions were crucial during cup matches and European qualifying rounds, where penalty shootouts were decisive. His ability to switch roles — from saving to scoring — made him a unique figure in football history.
Although he wasn’t a regular penalty taker during regular time, his shootout composure was unmatched. His record reflects not only technical ability but also extraordinary nerves of steel — the hallmarks of a Perfect Penalty Record.
4. Yaya Touré
Yaya Touré had a short but flawless penalty-taking career in the Premier League, converting all 11 penalties he ever took in England’s top flight. This makes him one of the rare players to maintain a Perfect Penalty Record in one of the toughest leagues in the world.
Touré’s style was unique. He would often take a slow run-up, watch the goalkeeper’s movement, and calmly roll the ball in the opposite direction. His technique relied on vision, timing, and sheer composure.
Playing for Manchester City, Yaya was crucial in their rise to Premier League dominance. His penalties often came in tight situations — league deciders, FA Cup semifinals, or Champions League group games. He never let the pressure show, converting with ice-cold precision.
His penalty technique wasn’t flashy but was extremely effective. The confidence he displayed reflected the power and elegance of his overall play. In terms of execution, Touré’s record remains a blueprint for young midfielders aspiring to achieve a Perfect Penalty Record.
3. Ivan Krstanović
Ivan Krstanović might not be a household name internationally, but in Croatian football, he’s known for one thing: his Perfect Penalty Record. The Croatian striker scored over 30 penalties in his career without missing a single one.
Krstanović played for multiple Croatian top-flight teams, including Dinamo Zagreb, Inter Zaprešić, and Slaven Belupo. His penalty style was methodical. He wasn’t the most powerful shooter, but his ability to place the ball precisely — often in the bottom corners — made him nearly impossible to stop.
His perfect streak wasn’t limited to domestic leagues — Krstanović also converted penalties in European competitions and cup matches. His confidence and technique under pressure made him a regular choice whenever a penalty was awarded.
Though he never played for a major European powerhouse, his place on this list is well-deserved. His discipline and technical proficiency are everything you’d expect from someone with a Perfect Penalty Record, proving you don’t need global fame to earn a spot among the best.
2. Ovidiu Herea
Romanian midfielder Ovidiu Herea has etched his name in football history with a Perfect Penalty Record, having scored all 38 penalties he took in his professional career. That feat places him firmly in the top three of this elite list.
Herea represented clubs like Rapid București and FC Voluntari and played across multiple divisions in Romania. What made him extraordinary was his nerve. No matter the pressure or the opponent, Herea kept his cool and delivered with surgical precision.
His penalty-taking style was a blend of flair and focus. He would often wait until the last moment to strike, tricking the goalkeeper and ensuring a successful conversion. This ability to read the game and adjust his approach helped maintain his flawless record.
Despite not being in the spotlight of top European leagues, Herea’s record remains untouched. In a game where even the greatest players crack under pressure, Herea’s 100% success rate highlights him as a true master of the Perfect Penalty Record.
1. Ledio Pano
Ledio Pano is one of the most celebrated penalty takers in European football history, primarily due to his astonishing Perfect Penalty Record. The Albanian international is reported to have scored over 50 penalties without a single miss in professional football.
Playing in both Albania and Greece, Pano built a reputation for technical excellence and consistency. He played for clubs like Partizani Tirana, Skoda Xanthi, and Panionios, where he was always the first choice when it came to spot-kicks.
Pano’s perfect streak lasted throughout his entire career — a remarkable feat in an era when match conditions weren’t always ideal, and VAR didn’t exist to monitor goalkeeper movements. His style was precise, calm, and effective.
While Albania didn’t have much global recognition during his playing days, Pano’s penalty legacy remains iconic. He’s a textbook example of what it means to have a Perfect Penalty Record — consistent excellence without a single misstep.
Summary Table:
| Rank | Player | Scored | Missed | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ledio Pano | 50+ | 0 | 100% |
| 2 | Ovidiu Herea | 38 | 0 | 100% |
| 3 | Ivan Krstanović | 30+ | 0 | 100% |
| 4 | Yaya Touré (EPL) | 11 | 0 | 100% |
| 5 | Vladislav Stoyanov | 24 | 0 | 100% |
| 6 | Jan Koller | 30+ | 0 | 100% |
| 7 | Cole Palmer | 12 | 0 | 100% |
| 8 | James Milner | 29 | 1 | 96.6% |
| 9 | Matt Le Tissier | 25 | 1 | 96.2% |
| 10 | Mario Balotelli | 38 | 3 | 92.7% |
FAQs
Q1. What is a Perfect Penalty Record in football?
A perfect penalty record refers to a player converting every penalty kick they’ve taken in competitive matches, maintaining a 100% success rate.
Q2. Who has the best Perfect Penalty Record in football?
As of now, Cole Palmer and Yaya Touré share a perfect record with 100% conversion from the spot.
Q3. Why is a Perfect Penalty Record rare?
Scoring under pressure, facing elite goalkeepers, and the mental challenge make it incredibly hard to maintain perfection over time.
Q4. How many penalties did Matt Le Tissier miss?
Matt Le Tissier missed just 1 penalty in his career, scoring 25 out of 26 attempts.
Q5. Are penalty records in shootouts included?
Typically, penalty shootouts are counted separately from regular match penalties in official stats.
