5 Players Who Have Taken Shocking Penalties This Year

5. Nani - Manchester United Vs Galatasaray

When Rafael won a penalty last night in his clubs Champions League encounter with Galatasaray, what he really needed was one of his teammates to quite literally step up to the mark and score. With the tie finely poised at 1-0, a goal here would have put the game to rest. When Nani stepped up to take the kick, there were questions asked about the mindset of Robin van Persie (more on him later). Chief penalty taker for Arsenal last season, as well as top goalscorer, the Dutchman appeared to shirk away from the responsibilities of the spot kick. All the pressure then fell onto the shoulders of the Portuguese winger. Not to worry, the Portuguese are pretty handy at penalties, aren't they? Euro 2004, anyone..? But... Nani ran up to the ball, slowed his pace, shimmied with his feet and... shot tamely into the hands of the grateful goalkeeper. Not quite the worse penalty ever, but it was pretty close. Too bad the same can't be said for the ball finding the back of the net.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.