Penalties can make or break a game, and even the most skilled footballers sometimes miss. It’s the moment when all eyes are on them, and yet they still manage to send the ball sailing over the crossbar or straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous footballers who have missed penalties in crucial moments of their careers. From heartbreak to disbelief, these players have experienced it all – read on for our top 5 penalties missed by famous footballers!
Ronaldo
Ronaldo, one of the most famous footballers in the world, has missed his share of penalties. In 2012, he missed a penalty in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich. In 2013, he missed a penalty against Valencia in a Copa del Rey match. In 2014, he missed a penalty in a World Cup match against Uruguay. In 2015, he missed a penalty against Barcelona in a Copa del Rey match.
Messi
While most footballers would be thrilled to have even a fraction of the success that Lionel Messi has had throughout his career, the Argentine international has had his share of misses when it comes to penalties. In 2012, he missed a penalty in a La Liga match against Real Madrid that could have given Barcelona the lead. The following year, he missed another important penalty in a Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid.
Messi is far from the only famous footballer to have missed a penalty though. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is often considered Messi’s chief rival, has also missed his fair share of spot kicks. In fact, Ronaldo has actually missed more penalties than Messi (9 to 8). Other famous footballers who have missed crucial penalties include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, and Gareth Bale.
While some might see missing a penalty as simply part of the game, for these high-profile footballers it can often be seen as a failure to convert on an opportunity. Given the level of skill and talent that these players possess, it’s always surprising to see them miss such an easy chance at a goal.
Neymar
Neymar is a Brazilian footballer who plays for the French club Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team. He is considered to be one of the best players in the world. However, he has missed some high-profile penalties in his career.
In 2012, Neymar missed a penalty against Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey final. The match ended 0-0 and Celta Vigo went on to win the trophy on penalties. Neymar was also guilty of missing a penalty in Brazil’s 2014 World Cup semi-final against Germany. Brazil lost the match 1-7.
more recently, Neymar missed a penalty in PSG’s 2018 Champions League round of 16 matches against Real Madrid. PSG went on to lose the match 1-3.
These are just some of the high-profile penalties that Neymar has missed in his career. It goes to show that even the best players can miss the spot sometimes.
Hazard
Most footballers are able to avoid serious injury during matches, but there are always potential risks. Some of the top penalties missed by famous footballers have been due to dangerous challenges. These challenges can result in severe injuries, and sometimes even death.
In 2003, Arsenal midfielder Eduardo da Silva was the victim of a horrific challenge by Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor. The tackle broke Eduardo’s leg in two places, and he was lucky to avoid career-ending damage.
In 2012, Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Tottenham Hotspur. Muamba was resuscitated on the pitch and survived thanks to the quick actions of the medical staff. However, he was forced to retire from professional football as a result of his heart condition.
In 2014, Aston Villa captain Stilian Petrov announced his retirement from football after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. Petrov had been diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year but had continued playing until he felt too unwell to carry on.
These examples show just how dangerous football can be. Although most players are able to avoid serious injury, there is always the potential for something to go wrong.
Van Persie
Dutch striker Robin van Persie is one of the best penalty-takers in the world, but even he has missed a few. Here are some of his most famous misses:
In 2013, van Persie missed a penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The miss cost his team dearly, as they went on to lose the match 3-2.
In 2015, van Persie missed a penalty against Chelsea in the Premier League. The miss proved costly as well, as Chelsea went on to win 2-1.
Finally, in 2016, van Persie missed a penalty against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. This miss did not prove as costly, however, as Arsenal still won the match 3-0. If you’re a football fan looking for quality video content, look no further than Goal360. This YouTube channel offers a variety of videos covering football news, highlights, analysis, and much more.
