Penalty Precision: Toni Surpasses Ronaldo in Saudi lore, says a Saudi legend
25 January 2026
Key Takeaways
Sultan Al-Layani, a former Saudi football legend, says English striker Ivan Toni of Al Ahli Jeddah is better than Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Al Nassr, when it comes to penalties.
Toni scored a penalty to help Al Ahli beat Neom 3-0 on Saturday, at King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk, in the 18th round of the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Layani explained on the program "Dourina Ghair": "There are two ways to take penalties—either fire into a fixed corner with speed, or watch the keeper’s movements and place the ball in the opposite corner; the latter is the tougher option."
He added: "The neuromuscular coordination Toni demonstrates by reading the keeper’s movements and placing the ball in the other corner is extremely challenging, and if I were a goalkeeper, I’d be torn about how to react to his strikes."
He concluded: "Ivan Toni is better than Ronaldo in penalties, both in numbers and in execution; the beauty of his strikes is studied, and the numbers since his signing—especially not missing a single penalty—underline this star’s value."
Note that Toni remains the league’s second-highest scorer this season with 15 goals, just one behind Ronaldo.
Technique Spotlight
The discussion highlights two main penalty techniques: powerful shots into a fixed corner and reading the keeper to place the ball in the opposite corner, a method Toni seemingly favors and executes with precision.
Experts emphasize Toni’s neuromuscular reading of the keeper’s intent and his ability to direct the ball with the opposite-foot angle, a combination that often leaves goalkeepers guessing and fans cheering.
In the end, the debate circles back to Toni’s consistency and Ronaldo’s long-standing goal-scoring record, both defining an era of high-stakes penalties in the Saudi Pro League.
