Messi reduces Cristiano's advantage as top penalty scorer in La Liga

Leo Messi got another penalty to his name on Tuesday. The Argentine scored against Leganes from 12 yards to assure the three points for Barcelona. 

But the Barcelona player still has to score some penalties to go level with Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga, despite the fact the Portuguese striker left Real Madrid two seasons. 

'ProFootballDB', BeSoccer's database, analyses in detail the figures and the clinical finishing in the Spanish domestic competition, an arduous battle which sees the Portuguese still above everyone else. 

A total of 72 penalties have been taken by CR7, with him scoring 61 of them at Real Madrid. That is a success rate of 84.72%. The Barca man has taken 68 penalties, converting 56 of them, an average of 82.35%. 

Analysing these figures, we can see that Leo has taken four penalties less than Cristiano and scored five less goals. But, despite the Juve man's brilliant penalty record, there is one man who has even better penalty stats. The player hung up his boots earlier this year. 

The La Liga penalty expert

It is David Villa, the expert penalty taker in LaLiga. The Asturian scored 32 of his 35 penalties in La Liga, a success rate of 91.43%. 

The former Valencia player leads the way as the best players in the 21st centruy. Ronaldinho is in third place. 

The Brazilian scored 22 of his 26 penalties (84.62%). And what happens with the players who have scored less penalties? Cristhian Stuani has got a 100% record from his 16 penalties.