30 Best Dribblers In Football History | Star Interest

Football dribbling is a skillful art. Excellent dribblers can be extremely beneficial for their team. 

The art of dribbling in football involves getting the ball past your opponent so that he cannot tackle you and you retain possession of the ball.

The game’s objective of scoring a goal is made easier by dribbling.

Because in the end, the opponent is the only thing preventing you from scoring goals. 

In spite of this, a football player might be an outstanding dribbler without automatically being a great player.

Nobody should underestimate the power of dribbling in sports especially football.

Great players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Ricardo Quaresma, Ryan Giggs, Franck Ribery and Ronaldinho are one of the top most successful football players because of their skill and expertise in dribbling. 

Below are the 30 Best Dribblers In Football History:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

The first person to score at five FIFA World Cups is Cristiano Ronaldo. Everyone has heard his name associated with football and success.  

He dribbles better than all the players and has a more aesthetically pleasing manner. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has 804 goals in 1106 games in his career (0.72 goals per game).

Ronaldo is a complete player with outstanding ball control with both feet and heads, excellent dribbling, excellent game reading, and arguably the best placement in the game.

He has proven to be a capable team leader time and again by his exceptional skills. 

In the world cup 2022 when he came to the heartbreaking realization that he would never play again, he could have become an alcoholic and given up on football.

Instead, he toiled tirelessly to capture the FIFA World Cup, followed by a few fruitful seasons in European football.

Cristiano Ronaldo of the 1990s  was more courageous compared to all the players altogether.  

God forbid Messi or Cristiano experience the suffering Ronaldo did.

2. Diego Maradona

The history of the most famous FIFA World Cup images since if you’re a fan of football you have undoubtedly seen the goal of the century.

95,000 spectators have gathered at Camp Nou for the opening match of the 1982 FIFA World Cup to watch Argentina take on Belgium.

A 21-year-old Diego Maradona, who wasn’t included on César Luis Menotti’s 1978 World Cup-winning team, is the primary draw.

Teammate Ossie Ardiles claimed that Menotti’s choice “hurt” Maradona since he couldn’t replicate Pelé’s feat of winning a World Cup as a teenager.

The image gives the impression that the Belgians were in sixes and sevens because to Maradona’s mesmerizing dribbling.

Maradona’s Argentine national team career included World Cup appearances in 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994.

He dominated the 1986 Mexican competition.

He scored two of the most memorable goals in World Cup history in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over England.

The first goal was scored with his hand (the referee mistook the ball for hitting his head), and it is now known as the “Hand of God” goal.

The second happened after Maradona took possession of the ball in midfield and dribbled through a swarm of English defenders and past the keeper before putting the ball in the goal. 

3. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is one of the finest athletes in football. Argentine sensation is widely recognized for his dribbling skills. 

He has had a profound effect on every team he has played for largely due to his talent with the dribble.

The most in the history of world football, Messi has won the Ballon d’Or seven times in the course of his career for being the finest player in the world for an entire calendar year.

Messi excels in every game, whether he’s representing Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) or the Argentina national football team.

Football’s dribbling master is widely recognized as being Argentine sensation Lionel Messi.

The most in the history of world football, Messi has won the Ballon d’Or seven times in the course of his career for being the finest player in the world for an entire calendar year.

It is considered that dribbling is an art and a football team with players who are masters of it would typically come out on top.

Football managers and coaches frequently rely on inherent formations and systems to assist their side’s smooth operation and progression towards the goal.

They can accomplish that through a variety of techniques, including a short pass, a long pass, or by rushing by.

4. Pele

Pele would effortlessly finish passing many opponents. He decided to stop dribbling because of the vicious hacking and the injuries.

Pele whose nickname appears to be meaningless was turned down by important club teams in the city of Paulo after playing for a lower-league club in Bauru.

He eventually joined the Santos Football Club in 1956 and with Pele playing inside left forward the team won nine So Paulo league titles as well as the Libertadores Cup and the Intercontinental Club Cup in 1962 and 1963.

He was given the nickname “Perola Negra” (Latin for “Black Pearl”) and became a national hero in Brazil.

He was an exceptional kicker who also had a great ability to read the movements of other players. Hence, being a great dribbler.

In order to deter lucrative offers from European clubs and guarantee that he would stay in Brazil, the Brazilian government proclaimed Pelé a national treasure following the 1958 World Cup.

5. Garrincha

He is admired by many as one of the best players of all time. Some even consider him the best dribbler ever.

Brazilian teams won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962 thanks in large part to Garrincha.

Despite his enormous potential Garrincha had little interest in pursuing a professional career and was not discovered by football scouts until he was in his late teens.

Jimmy dos Santos, the younger brother of Garrincha, participated in 20 games for Série A team CR Vasco De Gama in 1959.

Garrincha is recognized for his exceptional ball control, creativity, dribbling abilities, and wing feints as well as his capacity to forge opportunities out of thin air.

He was a brilliant set piece specialist known for free kicks and corners taken with the outside of his foot. 

He also had a strong shooting with either foot.

He was particularly well-known for his dribbling abilities, which he continued to develop throughout his career.

6. George Best

Best and highly skilled winger who was praised for his playing style that blended speed skill and balance. George is very good at dribbling.

He feints, two-footedness, goalscoring, and the ability to get past defenders, was regarded by many experts as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport.

Sports journalist Patrick Barclay reflected on Best’s career and playing philosophy and remarked In terms of ability he was the world’s greatest footballer of all time.

He had exceptional technical ability, quickness, and total control over both the ball and his own body.

His equilibrium was incredible, almost mystical, and you could saw off his legs and he still wouldn’t fall.

He could defeat anyone using any skill he desired, including heading, passing, and obviously dribbling.

7. Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine is a highly skilled winger. He was praised for his playing style that blended speed skill and dribbling skills. 

He balanced, feints, two-footedness, goalscoring, and the ability to get past defenders, was regarded by many experts as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the sport.

After appearing in the UEFA Cup final with Girondins and the European Championships with France, he joined Juventus in 1996.

His time at the Turin-based club, where he won the Ballon d’Or in 1998, would coincide with one of the greatest periods in French national team history.

Zidane led ‘Les bleus’ to World Cup and European Championship victories in 1998 and 2000.

These victories cemented his status as the best player in the world at the time, and piqued Real Madrid’s interest. Florentino Perez, the president, signed the agreement in July 2001.

Sports journalist Patrick Barclay reflected on Best’s career and playing philosophy and remarked, “In terms of ability, he was the world’s greatest footballer of all time.

He had exceptional technical ability, quickness, and total control over both the ball and his own body.

His equilibrium was incredible, almost mystical, and you could saw off his legs and he still wouldn’t fall.

He could defeat anyone using any skill he desired, including heading, passing, and obviously dribbling.

8. Neymar Jr

One of the greatest dribblers in football history is Neymar Jr. He has made a career out of his skills.

The 30-year-old originally made a name for himself because to his amazing ability to outwit defenders with his creative dribbling skills.

Creative, the athlete uses dribbling as means to “break the lines” of defence, accelerate the game and create chances for his teammates.

Neymar began the 2013 Campeonato Paulista season by scoring twice in the first match, a 3-1 victory over So Bernardo on January 19, 2013.  

Four days later, on January 23, 2013, Neymar scored again in a 3-0 win over Botafogo.

 On 3 February 2013, Santos defeated So Paulo 3-1 in a Paulista match, with Neymar scoring and assisting twice.

On March 18, 2013, Neymar stated that he wishes to play in Europe, for a big club like Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Chelsea.

As Santos defeated Unio Barbarense, Neymar scored all four goals, had another disallowed, and hit the post.

The resource is also a signature move on goals scored by the number 10.

On the game against Lyon, September 22, Neymar Jr. receives the ball inside the area while surrounded by three adversaries. 

On that occasion, the dribble was fatal to overcome the defenders and score the winning goal, at the 43rd minute of the second half.

9. Dennis Nicolaas

Former player Dennis Nicolaas Maria Bergkamp is from the Netherlands. He now trains and passes his skill to other upcoming football stars.

Bergkamp began his playing career as a wide midfielder before being switched to primary striker and later second striker, positions he held the entire time.

Bergkamp would cost Arsenal £117.3 million today.

It is no surprise that a player who would change the entire perception of the club over 11 years and 423 appearances would easily stand as their record signing, even when inflation is factored in.

10. Jimmy Johnstone

James Connolly Johnstone (1944-2006) had great skills when it came to dribbling. He was called “jinky” because of the same. 

Johnstone made his Celtic debut in 1963 and scored 129 goals in 514 games for the Hoops winning the League nine times.

The Scottish Cup four times, and the League Cup five times.

He also made history as a member of the ‘Lisbon Lions’ squad that won the European Cup in 1967.

Johnstone, who was known as “Jinky” for his evasive dribbling technique, spent 13 years playing at Celtic.

He was also a member of the “Lisbon Lions,” the club that won the 1967 European Cup Final and nine straight Scottish Championships.

He made 515 appearances for Celtic and scored 129 goals, earning him the title of greatest player in club history in 2002.

11. Dejan Savicevic

Former Montenegrin football player Dejan Savicevic was an attacking midfielder.

He has held the position of president of the Montenegrin Football Association (FSCG) since 2004 and he is now serving his fifth term in office.

Savicevic who is regarded as one of the greatest Montenegrin and Yugoslav footballers of all time.

He was regarded as one of the top players in the world in the 1990s.

The Italian sports media dubbed him “The Genius” while he was playing for AC Milan.

He represented Yugoslavia at the 1990 and 1998 FIFA World Cups on the international stage.

After his playing career ended, he coached the Serbia and Montenegro national team from 2001 to 2003.

12. Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne had a lot of ability to sneak past people to his upper body power. 

He could pass like very few English players before or since in terms of scoring goals, heading goals, and picking them up.

He was a football player in every way. And everything was natural.

He is a retired English football player who specialized as an attacking midfielder.

 He is “widely acknowledged as the best naturally talented English footballer of his generation,” according to the National Football Museum.

Gascoigne was born and reared in Gateshead, and first joined Newcastle United as a schoolboy before making his professional debut in 1984.

He was traded to Tottenham Hotspur three years later for £2.2 million.

He won the FA Cup in 1991 while playing for Spurs before being traded for £5.5 million to Lazio of Italy.

He joined Rangers for £4.3 million in 1995 and helped the team win two league championships, a Scottish Cup, and a Scottish League Cup.

In a £3.4 million transfer to Middlesbrough in 1998, he made his way back to England. A made

13. Roberto Baggio

In 1990 Baggio was selected to compete in his first World Cup match at home.

Baggio has played in five games as a substitute and is frequently deployed.

Manager Azeglio Vicini issued him his first senior international call, and he made his debut for Italy on November 16, 1988, at the age of 21. 

On April 22, 1989, in a friendly match between Italy and Uruguay in Verona that ended in a 1-1 tie, he scored his first goal for Italy from a free kick.
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Baggio made his professional debut in 1982 with Vicenza a lower-division team.

He joined Fiorentina a member of Italy’s top division Serie A, in 1985.

Baggio rose to prominence with Fiorentina, his distinctive ponytail becoming well-known throughout the country.

For Italy, Baggio participated in 16 World Cup games.

Along with Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri, he has scored nine goals at the World Cup, making him Italy’s all-time best scorer.

Only Baggio, an Italian, scored in three World Cups.

14. Florian Albert

Albert competed in his second World Cup competition in 1966 which was hosted in England.

Hungary approached the match against Brazil knowing that victory over Brazil was necessary after their defeat to Portugal in the first round.

In the end, Hungary defeated the South Americans 3-1 to keep their dreams alive, and Albert who received a standing ovation from the crowd.

It helped the supporters forget about Pelé’s absence with his performance. 

The 1966 World Cup All-Star team included Albert.

Albert had two brief stints as manager of Al-Ahly Benghazi in Libya from 1978 to 1982 and 1985 after his sports career was over.

He worked at Ferencváros in a number of capacities after his return from North Africa including technical director, department head, and later honorary chairman.

The stadium in Ferencváros was given his name in 2007.

15. Paulo Futre

As his injury issues remained, Futre went to Porto and Sporting rivals S.L. Benfica in January 1993.

During his brief tenure there, he won a Taça de Portugal (and scored in the final against Boavista F.C. in a 5-2 victory).

After that, he committed to playing with Olympique de Marseille for one season, where he partnered with fellow countryman Rui Barros.

His stint in France was largely disappointing.

But he managed two goals in eight league games due to ongoing injuries and competition from Dragan Stojkovi at his position.

Despite being connected with A.C. Milan at the halfway point of the 1993–94 season.

Futre eventually moved to newly promoted Serie A team A.C. Reggiana 1919.

On November 21, 1993, the day of his debut, he scored a noteworthy individual goal.

16. Romario

Romario was a standout performer for Vasco da Gama’s youth team.

He was chosen afterwards to play for the Brazilian national team after helping the team to a few victories and titles.

He had the good fortune to play for his nation at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where he finished as the competition’s highest scorer.

Romarios team was successful in winning the silver medal.

After only two years, Romário helped his side win the Copa América championship once more by scoring the game-winning goal in the championship match.

Romario was signed by the dominant Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in 1988 as a result of his outstanding performance for the Brazilian national team.

When he was living in the Netherlands, Romário entered his life.

17. Delinson

Denlson made his debut for Brazil at the age of 19 against Cameroon in November 1996. 

He was named to the squad that competed in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, appearing in all of the games for the eventual runners-up; the previous year.

He was also selected for the 1997 Copa América and the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, winning both tournaments and making a total of ten appearances (two goals).

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari chose Denlson for his 2002 World Cup squad in Japan and South Korea.

He appeared in five matches as a substitute as the Seleço won its fifth World Cup, appearing for one minute in the final against Germany.

Denlson was fired after Carlos Alberto Parreira returned to lead the national team for the third time.

18. Gianfranco Zola

He contributed to four trophies and scored the game-winning goal in the 1998 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final seconds after coming on as a substitute.

Franco scored 80 goals in 312 games, many of which were spectacular efforts.

During Zola’s tenure, they finished fifth in the league on average and won two FA Cups, a League Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Mid-air back flick against Norwich City an effort against Manchester United that left opposition goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel motionless and a brilliant turn and shot in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final win over Wimbledon are all goals that will live long in the memory.

Above all, Franco always played football with a smile on his face and was almost universally popular among opposing fans.

Zola’s form dipped during the 2001/02 season, but he came back strong the following season, scoring 16 times as we qualified.

19. Jay-Jay Okocha

In 1993 Okocha made his official debut for Nigeria in a 2-1 away loss to Ivory Coast in a 1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

It wasn’t until his second cap and home debut that he became a fan favorite among Nigerians.

With Nigeria trailing 1-0 against Algeria in a game they needed to win, he equalized with a direct free kick before assisting the team to a 4-1 win, securing qualification to their first World Cup.

In 1994, he was a member of both the African Cup of Nations-winning squad and the World Cup squad that advanced to the second round before losing in a dramatic match to eventual runners-up Italy.

In 1996, Okocha became a key member of an arguably more successful Nigerian team their Olympic gold-winning side at the Atlanta Games which was later dubbed the Dream Team by the Nigerian press after the USA’s 1992 Olympic gold-winning basketball team.

In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Okocha was a member of a disappointing Super Eagles team that failed to live up to expectations yet again, reaching the round of 16, albeit with less impressive performances save for a 3-2 opening win over Spain.

This did not deter interest in Okocha, who had entertained fans with his trademark skills and dribbles and was named to the tournament squad.

20. David Ginola

Despite being a prominent French player Ginola did not see much action with the French national team having been capped only 17 times during his career.

Ginola competed for France’s under-21 team in the Toulon Tournament in 1987. 

After France defeated England in the final 4-3.

He was named the tournament’s best player.

Now, Ginola is a regular on the BBC, BT Sport, and CNN.

Although he only won one League Cup with Tottenham Hotspur as well as the French Cup and French League Cup with Paris St Germain.

Ginola won individual awards, including French Player of the Year in 1993 and PFA Player of the Year in 1999.

21. Vassilis Hatzipanagis

Vassilis Hatzipanagis dedicated his career to Greece, sacrificing his international career and never reaching the pinnacle of European football.

He would have played 100 games for Greece if he hadn’t been representing the Soviet Union.

He was named Greece’s Golden Player of the Past 50 Years in 2003.

Vasilis was an instant success.

Scoring his first goal in a 3-0 victory over Yugoslavia.

He’d go on to play three more times in that qualifying campaign.

He had the unusual distinction of facing Iceland twice meaning he spent nearly half of his Soviet international career against everyone’s favorite plucky Nordics.

22. Kurt Hamrin

Hamrin was a fast and technically skilled right winger with exceptional vision, and opportunism in front of goal.

A direct and efficient two-footed player was known in particular for his flair, as well as his incredible dribbling and striking ability with either foot.

Between 1953 and 1965, Hamrin appeared in 32 games for Sweden, scoring 17 goals.

Most Swedes remember him best for his goal against West Germany in the 1958 World Championships semi-finals.

The goal made the score 3-1 and secured Sweden’s place in the final against Brazil.

He was also capable of beating players in one-on-one situations with elaborate moves and feints such as the nutmeg.

Furthermore, he was a prolific goal scorer. Despite his playing ability, he was also known to be prone to injury.

23. Juan Carlos Valeron

Juan Carlos Valeron was an excellent dribbler. But he has temperament problems. 

Forget the red cards, headbutting your manager reveals a lot about how mentally unstable the Brazilian was.

He was far too gifted, and perhaps God leveled the playing field by making him unruly.

He was out of professional football by the age of 34.

People talk about how great Neymar will be, but he is behaving similarly to Djalminha.

Valeron, a talented and creative attacking midfielder with a goal-scoring eye was known for his vision and technical abilities, particularly his passing and ball control, but he was also injury-prone and inconsistent.

24. Brian Laudrup

Michael Laudrup was calculated to dribble even into a blind alley. He was a Danish legend and was the king of the two-touch dribble.

He was more daring and flamboyant than Michael.

Despite the fact that his career was not as successful as Michael’s.

Brian and Michael are similar to Peyton and Eli Manning in some ways.

It’s amazing how two brothers can be world class because, in most cases, one brother makes it big while the other brother doesn’t.

25. Michael Laudrup

Michael Laudrup possessed a talismanic dribbling ability.

Because they knew they were playing with a genius, he made his teammates look and play better.

It wasn’t just his dribbling, but also his passing, particularly his mastery of the blind pass, which would make Lakhdar Belloumi proud.

Despite the victory euphoria, it was clear Laudrup’s time in Barcelona was coming to an end.

His contract was coming to an end and his relationship with Cruyff was fraying. 

Laudrup believed he was singled out for criticism when he played poorly but never praised when he shone.

26. Matt Le Tissier

Le Tissier was a creative and technically gifted attacking midfielder with an eye for goal.

He was known for his ball striking and ability to get into good attacking positions, as well as his vision and ability to create chances for teammates.

These abilities also allowed him to play as a supporting striker on occasion or even on the right wing though this was not his preferred position.

Despite his slow work rate and lack of notable speed or stamina.

He was known for his excellent control, technique, balance, and dribbling skills, as well as his intelligence on the ball and his use of tricks and feints to beat opponents.

He was also known for his exceptional penalty accuracy. 

Matthew Le Tissier was one of the greatest natural talents of my generation.

Every week he would perform feats of magic that defied physics and wowed audiences on the south coast of Southampton where he spent his entire career.

If he had been a player in any other European country he would have been not only a member of their national team but also the first name on the team sheet.

27. Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman was a defender’s nightmare because he could tear them apart with his close dribbling and then split the defence open with a great pass.

It’s a testament to his pedigree that Real Madrid signed him.

He was a two-time UEFA Champions League winner.

He came up big during the 2000 Champions League final when he scored a memorable acrobatic volley. 

McManaman won the hearts of Madrid fans in just four seasons.

The combination of his gentlemanly nature both on and off the field combined with teamwork and quality ensured that this Englishman was one of the fans favorite players.

28. Pierre Littbarski

Pierre Littbarski was a Köln mainstay who frustrated opposing defenses with his tight dribbling.

In the FIFA World Cup, he was involved in three deep runs by the Germans.

He won it in 1990 after reaching the finals in 1982 and 1986.

Littbarski made his West German debut on October 14, 1981 against Austria in the 1982 World Cup qualification match.

Jupp Derwall, the manager of West Germany, started him in a three-man front line with Klaus Fischer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Littbarski’s international career began on a high note as he scored the game’s first and second goals.

His third international goal came in a 2-1 victory over Spain in the 1982 World Cup second round.

29. Fernando Redondo

Fernando Redondo was one of the most graceful footballers of all time.

Before threading a through ball, he used his dribbling ability to drag opposing players out of position.

His football IQ was high, he could man mark as Rivaldo discovered and he knew exactly what he needed to do.

Despite this, the role in which he made his name is known as the Makélélé role.

There’s no denying that Claude Makélélé was a great defensive midfielder, but he was no match for Redondo as a technician.

30.Chris Waddle

Chris Waddle’s loping, meandering runs through opposing defenses were magical week after week.

During the 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, he was the beneficiary of one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship.

Lothar Matthäus chose to console Waddle in the midst of ecstatic German celebrations after he narrowly missed the crucial penalty that would have sent Germany to the World Cup final.

Waddle moved to French club Olympique de Marseille for a fee of £4.5 million on 1 July 1989 after scoring 33 goals in 138 league appearances for Tottenham.

 This was the third highest fee ever paid for a footballer at the time.

During his time in France the club won three French championships (1990, 1991 and 1992).

They were also defeated by Red Star Belgrade in the 1991 European Cup Final.

In 1991-1992 he also played alongside fellow England midfielder Trevor Steven who signed from Rangers and spent a year in France before returning to Scotland after a single season.