5 goalkeepers who have saved most penalties from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the most significant contenders to be named as 'The Greatest' of this generation. The magnificent duo have both been phenomenal players despite having different playing styles.
They may have aged significantly by now, but they are still a massive threat to any opposition when they take to the pitch. It was a natural progression for these talents to assume penalty-taking duties for their teams as well. In his illustrious career, Ronaldo has converted 143 penalties out of the 172 taken. Messi has converted 103 off the 133 taken in his career.
Some goalkeepers have done the unthinkable by saving penalties from both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Saving a penalty is tough for any goalkeeper, irrespective of the taker. The job becomes significantly more difficult when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the takers.
But the following five names have, in fact, saved penalty kicks from both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. These five have achieved a unique and incredible achievement against two of the greatest ever footballers.
#5 Gorka Iraizoz - 2 penalties
La Liga, over the years, has seen several good goalkeepers come through their clubs' academies. This becomes possible due to the policy some clubs like Athletic Bilbao follow in playing with players only from the Basque region. It's at the same club where goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz made his name.
The Spanish shot-stopper has been a solid option between the sticks for many years, and his performances for Bilbao have often earned him a lot of praise from the fans. However, he has had several matchups with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the years and sometimes outdid the greats.
Matchday: Gorka Iraizoz, Girona GK
Real Madrid has scored 54 goals against him in his career - 3.17 per game https://t.co/z8RcpR5FBE
The custodian saved a penalty from Ronaldo in a 2011-12 La Liga match, while he saved one from Messi in a 2015-16 La Liga game. Iraizoz's performances never materialized too much into silverware, but his trophy cabinet is not empty. He spent his early years at Espanyol for a brief period where he won the Copa del Rey and was close to winning the UEFA Cup but fell short in the final.
#4 Diego Lopez - 2 penalties
Diego Lopez has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in La Liga over the last decade. While he is not amongst the best goalkeepers in football, Lopez has been a safe pair of hands. He even spent time with Cristiano Ronaldo during his second stint with Los Blancos.
Over the years, Lopez has played for several prominent clubs like Real Madrid, AC Milan, Sevilla, and Villarreal, where he's currently at. His second stint at Real Madrid was quite controversial as he was preferred over club legend Iker Casillas, which often put Lopez in trouble with the fans.
Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopéz (40) is 23 years older than Gavi (17): they'll face each other in a generational duel tomorrow.
❗️Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopéz (40) is 23 years older than Gavi (17): they'll face each other in a generational duel tomorrow.
― SPORT https://t.co/vY0lgZxadS
Lopez saved a penalty from Lionel Messi for the first time in a 2007-08 Copa del Rey match for Villarreal. He incredibly repeated the feat in the same competition ten years later, this time in Espanyol colors.
Lopez won a couple of significant trophies, including the highly coveted Champions League in 2013-14. He is still an active player despite being 40 years of age and is one of the few keepers who have saved spot-kicks from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.