Fulham striker Raul Jimenez has made a bold claim that places him above some of football’s greatest names—Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Harry Kane—when it comes to penalty-taking. The Mexican forward, renowned for his composure from the spot, insists his record speaks for itself. With a near-perfect conversion rate, Jimenez’s confidence has reignited debate about whether specialized skills like penalty-taking should factor into discussions about the greatest players of all time.
Jimenez’s remarks came during a candid interview with FOX Sports, reported via Marca. Asked to compare his penalty prowess against a list of iconic finishers—including Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and legendary goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni—the 34-year-old did not hesitate. He backed himself as the best, unapologetically declaring that his success rate eclipses them all.
Explaining his stance, Jimenez said, “Whether you like it or not, I have a better success rate than all of the ones you mentioned. I don’t know if I’m the best in the world, but it’s something that characterizes me. I’ll stick with myself.” His words reflect not arrogance but conviction, rooted in years of consistency under pressure. While acknowledging the stature of Messi and Ronaldo, Jimenez positioned himself as unrivaled in this specific department.
The numbers back up his claim. Messi, despite his brilliance, has a career penalty conversion rate of around 77.8 percent, scoring 112 of 144 attempts. Ronaldo fares slightly better at 83.5 percent, converting 182 of 218. Jimenez, however, boasts an astonishing 96 percent success rate, having scored 44 of 46 penalties across his career in Mexico, Portugal, and England. His record in the Premier League is flawless—13 penalties taken, 13 converted—surpassing Manchester City legend Yaya Toure’s previous perfect mark of 11 from 11.
Jimenez’s near-perfect record includes only two blemishes. His first miss came in a 2018 friendly against Uruguay, when Fernando Muslera denied him. The second occurred in a Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla in 2020. Since then, he has returned to his metronomic best, dispatching penalties with unerring accuracy. His consistency has been a hallmark of his career, whether at Club América in Mexico, Benfica in Portugal, Wolves in the Premier League, or now Fulham.
Jimenez’s claim challenges the traditional Messi-Ronaldo dominance in football debates. While few would argue he rivals them in overall greatness, his penalty record highlights how specialized skills can carve out unique legacies. In an era where spot-kicks often decide crucial matches, Jimenez’s reliability has become a defining trait. For Fulham, his presence ensures confidence whenever the referee points to the spot, while his time at Wolves also showcased his ability to deliver under pressure.
Ultimately, Jimenez’s confidence is rooted in tangible results. His 96 percent success rate is unmatched among football’s elite, and his flawless Premier League record cements him as the gold standard from 12 yards. The question now is whether his penalty supremacy earns him a rightful place in conversations alongside the game’s greatest finishers. With his streak showing no signs of slowing, Jimenez could extend his record even further, reinforcing his reputation as football’s most reliable penalty taker.
