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Messi? Pirlo? Ramos crowned as Panenka penalty king - by the man who invented it!

The Real Madrid ace has twice emulated one of the most famous spot-kicks in football history - and it has not gone unnoticed

Antonin Panenka, one of football's greatest innovators, believes Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has perfected the penalty routine which propelled him to stardom.

Representing Czechoslovakia in UEFA Euro 1976, Panenka produced a chipped spot-kick down the middle which clinched victory over West Germany on penalties in the final.

Many players have succeeded in replicating the effort such as Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo.

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The likes of Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup and Alexis Sanchez in the 2015 Confederations Cup have also had the nerve to pull off a Panenka in a final.