In the never-ending debate over football greatness, Fulham’s Raul Jimenez boldly states he ranks higher than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in one specific aspect — penalties. The Mexican striker’s impressive record from the spot showcases his confidence and skill under pressure.
Recently, Raul Jimenez sat down with FOX Sports for an interview, where he discussed his skills from the penalty spot. The 34-year-old striker didn’t hesitate to place himself above celebrated finishers like Harry Kane and even the legendary Messi and Ronaldo. Citing a superior success rate garnered from his time in Mexico, Portugal, and England, Jimenez made it clear that he stands out from the rest.
Confident in his abilities, Jimenez stated, “Whether you like it or not, I have a better success rate than all of the ones you mentioned. I’m not claiming I’m the best in the world, but I have this quality.” The stats back him up; his success rate from penalties is an astounding 96%. In contrast, Messi’s career penalty conversion rate is 77.8%, while Ronaldo stands slightly higher at 83.5% after missing a recent penalty.
Jimenez’s record is nearly flawless, having missed just two penalties out of 46 attempts in competitive play. His only misses include a 2018 friendly against Uruguay and a Europa League quarter-final match against Sevilla in 2020. Having converted every opportunity presented to him since then, he has established himself as an unerring force from the spot in the Premier League.
This season, Jimenez has netted nine goals, significantly contributing to Fulham’s efforts to secure a strong position in the league. His consistent performance has led fans to view penalties as almost guaranteed goals when he’s on the pitch. As Fulham prepares to face a struggling West Ham in their next match, everyone will be eager to see if Jimenez can continue his incredible streak.
