Lionel Messi's 'Panenka' Penalty Is The Best Ever – Antonin Panenka

Lionel Messi’s ‘Panenka’ penalty against Getafe has been hailed as the best ever – by the man himself.

Antonin Panenka originated the chipped spot-kick technique as he audaciously clinched Czechoslovakia’s shoot-out victory over Germany in the 1976 European Championship final.

And the former midfielder anointed Messi as the best of his many imitators after the Barcelona forward deceived Vicente Guaita for the first of his two goals in Tuesday’s 6-0 demolition at the Camp Nou.

“The execution was the best I’ve ever seen – not too powerful, central, good elevation,” Panenka, 66, told radio station RAC1.

“Technically the goal was impressive. It is a further demonstration of (Messi’s) quality.”

Zinedine Zidane replicated Panenka's spot-kick in the 2006 World Cup final, putting France into the lead via the crossbar in Berlin.

Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo was also famed for his cheeky chipped penalty against England in the quarter finals of Euro 2012 as Italy progressed into the semi-finals.

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