Messi and Mbappe Falter Using the 'Stop-Start' Penalty Technique at World Cup 2026

The 2026 World Cup has introduced several memorable moments and controversial trends, including a peculiar penalty-taking method where star players run up, stop before kicking, then restart their shot. This so-called "traffic light" technique has been notably employed by top players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane, often resulting in missed penalties. According to the BBC, penalties taken with this stop-start approach have a success rate of only 57% (15 out of 26), significantly lower than the 69% success rate (24 out of 35) for conventional penalty kicks.

The method is not entirely new, with legends like Pelé and Hugo Sánchez having used it before. The rationale behind it is to gain an advantage by reading the goalkeeper’s intended dive direction, aiming to catch the keeper off guard. However, the increased difficulty and disruption of the kicker’s rhythm often backfire, as goalkeepers have become more adept at anticipating such moves. French journalist Julien Lawrence noted that Mbappe’s poor penalty against Morocco was due to disrupted preparation and habits, which are crucial for successful spot-kicks.

Additionally, longer wait times before penalties, such as Mbappe’s three-minute delay before his kick, can reduce scoring chances, possibly prompting players to split their run to stay warmed up. Despite some Premier League data suggesting higher success rates for this technique, the World Cup sample is small, and the overall evidence points to it being a risky strategy that undermines confidence and effectiveness.

Ultimately, experts and fans alike advocate for players to rely on their tried-and-true penalty routines rather than experimental tricks. The best penalty, as commentator Uri Malmilian said, is simply one that finds the net. Messi and Mbappe, among the greatest footballers, might benefit more from sticking to their traditional methods to maximize scoring chances in high-pressure moments.