25 Best Dribblers in Football History [Ranked]

Best known to Premier League fans for his brief stint with West Ham in the late 90s, Paulo Futre was a dynamic talent whose left-footedness and fast feet earned early comparisons to Maradona. A creative force and a goalscorer in his prime, injuries sadly brought his career to a premature end at just 32.

Career Stats

Nation: Portugal

Notable Clubs: Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, West Ham

Games: 423

Goals: 103

Honours: Primeira Liga (x2), European Cup (x1), Serie A (x1)

23. Marc Overmars

A name that belongs on any list of great dribblers, Marc Overmars was also among the fastest to ever grace the pitch. After winning the Champions League with Ajax in 1995, he joined Arsenal, where he became known for his direct attacking runs — notably scoring key goals like his memorable strike at Old Trafford during their title-winning campaign.

Career Stats

Nation: Netherlands

Notable Clubs: Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona

Games: 542

Goals: 106

Honours: Eredivisie (x3), Premier League (x1), FA Cup (x1), Champions League (x1)

22. David Ginola

A flair-filled forward with a cult following at both Tottenham and Newcastle, David Ginola brought French elegance to the Premier League. He wasn’t the quickest, but his sharp thinking, silky dribbling and perfect first touch made him a joy to watch — a creative hub not unlike today’s Jack Grealish.

Career Stats

Nation: France

Notable Clubs: PSG, Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton

Games: 614

Goals: 108

Honours: Ligue 1 (x1), Coupe de France (x2)

21. Luis Figo

Luis Figo famously made the controversial switch between Barcelona and Real Madrid, sparking outrage and even the infamous pig’s head incident. But his Ballon d’Or win spoke volumes. A master dribbler with real end product, he exemplified the Galactico era and its emphasis on star power.

Career Stats

Nation: Portugal

Notable Clubs: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan

Games: 792

Goals: 137

Honours: La Liga (x4), Champions League (x1), Serie A (x4)

20. Eddie Gray

From 1965 to 1983, Eddie Gray spent his entire playing career at Leeds United and was a pivotal figure during the Don Revie era. His close control made him a nightmare for defenders. His second goal against Burnley in 1970 — dancing past defenders from the wing before finishing — is still considered one of Leeds’ greatest.

Career Stats

Nation: Scotland

Notable Clubs: Leeds United

Games: 579

Goals: 69

Honours: First Division (x2), FA Cup (x1), League Cup (x1), FA Charity Shield (x1), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (x2)

19. Gianfranco Zola

A magician with the ball at his feet, Gianfranco Zola dazzled for both Napoli and Chelsea. Renowned for his balance and tight control, Zola regularly left defenders flat-footed. Brian Laudrup, a former teammate, once called him a “magician” and even likened him to Maradona — a player Zola once played alongside.

Career Stats

Nation: Italy

Notable Clubs: Chelsea, Napoli, Parma

Games: 698

Goals: 212

Honours: Serie A (x1), UEFA Cup (x1), FA Cup (x2), and more

18. Paul Gascoigne

One of the most naturally gifted English players ever, Paul Gascoigne lit up the pitch during his time with Newcastle, Spurs, Rangers and others. Known as ‘Gazza’, his most iconic moment came at Euro 96 against Scotland, followed by the infamous ‘dentist’s chair’ celebration. Off-field drama often made headlines, but his skill was undeniable.

Career Stats

Nation: England

Notable Clubs: Newcastle United, Tottenham, Rangers, Everton

Games: 464

Goals: 90

Honours: FA Cup (x1), Scottish Premier Division (x2), and more

17. Roberto Baggio

Few players captured imagination like Roberto Baggio. Known for his dribbling finesse and set-piece magic, he played for Italian giants including Juventus and AC Milan. Despite the heartbreak of his missed penalty in the 1994 World Cup final, he remains one of Italy’s most beloved stars and a former Ballon d’Or winner.

Career Stats

Nation: Italy

Notable Clubs: Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan

Games: 660

Goals: 304

Honours: Serie A (x2), UEFA Cup (x1), Coppa Italia (x1)

16. Zico

Starting with Flamengo, Zico became one of Brazil’s most influential players during the 70s and 80s. His ability to glide past players and deliver jaw-dropping free kicks made him stand out even among the country’s rich talent pool. Three-time South American Footballer of the Year, he was a true maestro of the game.

Career Stats

Nation: Brazil

Notable Clubs: Flamengo, Udinese, Kashima Antlers

Games/Goals: Not available

Honours: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A (x3), Copa Libertadores (x1), Intercontinental Cup (x1)

15. Dennis Bergkamp

Trained under Johan Cruyff at Ajax, Dennis Bergkamp evolved into a unique forward who combined grace with efficiency. After a tough spell at Inter Milan, he found his true form at Arsenal. His flawless dribbling and calm under pressure helped make him one of the Premier League’s most intelligent and stylish players.

Career Stats

Nation: Netherlands

Notable Clubs: Arsenal, Inter, Ajax

Games: 732

Goals: 264

Honours: Premier League (x3), FA Cup (x4), UEFA Cup (x2)

14
John Barnes
1980–1999
John Barnes was raised with the values of discipline, instilled by his father’s career in the Jamaican army. Even when pulling off moments of flair on the pitch, the former Liverpool winger executed each move with calculated precision, reading his opponent’s body position before making his move.

His most iconic moment came in 1984 when he tore apart Brazil’s defence in a friendly match. After weaving past six defenders in yellow, he added a final feint that left goalkeeper Roberto Costa flat on the turf. Despite the lasting fame of that run, Barnes has downplayed the hype, even once suggesting that a goal he scored for Watford against Rotherham was even better.

13
Ronaldo
1993–2011
Injuries may have disrupted his career, but O Fenomeno more than lived up to his legendary nickname. After debuting professionally in 1993, Ronaldo became the youngest player to ever win the Ballon d’Or just four years later at 21—a record that still stands.

Whether it was at PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, or Real Madrid, Ronaldo was a complete forward: ruthless in front of goal, unselfish in his vision, and devastating on the dribble. With lightning-quick feet and explosive movement, he could tear through entire backlines. By the time he retired in 2011, his legacy as one of football’s greatest was unquestioned.

12
Eden Hazard
2007–2023
Between his arrival at Chelsea in 2012 and his eventual retirement following a less successful spell at Real Madrid, Eden Hazard completed exactly 999 take-ons, according to Opta. Only Lionel Messi has managed more—though Hazard boasted a higher success rate when facing off against defenders.

Growing up alongside his brothers—who also became professionals—Hazard developed a unique physical profile. At 5’7″ and weighing 76kg in his prime, his compact, muscular frame gave him exceptional balance. His low centre of gravity helped him slip past taller opponents, and, as Yaya Toure pointed out, his powerful lower body was a crucial part of his game.

When the ball reached Hazard, he could already anticipate the defender’s approach. He would hold his ground, use his body to fend them off, create space, and then burst forward to launch the attack.

11
Jay-Jay Okocha
1990–2008
Jay-Jay Okocha had such flair that even his name was said twice. The Nigerian maestro played across Germany, Turkey, and France during the 1990s, starring for Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, and PSG. He became one of the most technically gifted number 10s in Europe—his ball control looked effortless at times.

However, it was during his spell with Bolton Wanderers from 2002 that Okocha became a cult hero. Playing under Sam Allardyce, he was granted the freedom to fully express himself. With dazzling footwork and an instinct for the unexpected, he was always a threat.

10
Zinedine Zidane
1989–2006
Zinedine Zidane began his career at Cannes before making a name for himself with Bordeaux. His move to Juventus in 1996 elevated him further, culminating in a Ballon d’Or win in 1998—the same year he led France to World Cup glory.

Zidane eventually joined Real Madrid in 2001, finishing his playing days there. Renowned for his technical brilliance, Zidane was a master of close control and movement. His elegance with the ball at his feet earned him admiration across the football world. Few could manipulate space and tempo quite like him.

9
Neymar
2009–Present
Neymar has been described in many ways over his career. One of the most fitting came from Robinho, who called him a synonym for showtime.

His performances often straddled the line between artistry and audacity. In a footballing era increasingly focused on structure, Neymar still dared to entertain—whether via nutmegs or by flicking the ball over defenders for flair alone. And he produced results: a Champions League winner, domestic champion in Europe and South America, and Brazil’s all-time top scorer, surpassing Pele.

8
Omar Sivori
1954–1969
Omar Sivori was as notorious as he was talented. Nicknamed El Cabezon—the Big Head—and El Gran Zurdo—the Great Left-Footer—he became a legend for Juventus in the 1950s and ‘60s.

He delighted in humiliating defenders, routinely slipping the ball between their legs with his magical left foot. Even Juventus’ owner, Gianni Agnelli, once described him as a bad habit.

Yet, for all the controversy he stirred, Sivori earned widespread admiration. Upon his death in 2005, Italy’s top sports paper simply said: Goodbye, genius.

7
Sir Stanley Matthews
1932–1965
When asked by a journalist to demonstrate his signature move, Stanley Matthews replied: I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t do it in cold blood. That quote summed him up: understated yet unmatched.

Matthews didn’t rely on goals—he only scored double figures in one league season—but on his mesmerising dribbles. He was the original Wizard of the Dribble. In 1953, he led Blackpool to an FA Cup victory so iconic it became known as the Matthews Final.

Even Pele admired him, saying he was the man who taught us how football should be played.

6
Ronaldinho
1998–2015
Ronaldinho didn’t just dazzle—he delighted. His flair wasn’t just natural, it was forged through hours of street football and games with his dog, Bombom, who he once said was like the toughest European defenders he faced.

Though he embodied Brazilian flair, he grew up in the rugged Rio Grande do Sul region, known for its physical game. One early coach told him: You’ll never in your life make it as a footballer playing the way he did. Thankfully, he didn’t listen.

5
Johan Cruyff
1964–1984
Johan Cruyff honed his skills on the cobbled streets of Amsterdam. While his technique was immaculate, he only used tricks like nutmegs when they served a purpose—never just for show.

During the 1974 World Cup, he introduced the world to the Cruyff turn—leaving Sweden’s Jan Olsson grasping at air. Olsson later said: I loved everything about this moment.

In that match alone, Cruyff completed 12 dribbles—a figure only two players in World Cup history have ever surpassed in a single game.

4
George Best
1963–1984
George Best left defenders reeling—his Manchester United teammate Paddy Crerand said he gave them twisted blood. By age 22, Best had already won everything from domestic titles to European honours.

He could use both feet effortlessly—sometimes he seemed to have six, said Sir Matt Busby. No one was safe. In 1976, Best nutmegged Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens in the same match. That was Bestie, grinned Sammy McIlroy.

3
Lionel Messi
2003–Present
Lionel Messi began his career as a relentless dribbler, once averaging 8.4 per game—a record still unmatched. Over time, he evolved. Under Pep Guardiola, Messi embraced simplicity. A player who plays with zero adornments, said Guardiola. I’ve never seen a stepover from him… he is the ultimate in effectiveness.

Jose Mourinho once said: When Messi is one-on-one, you are dead. Jerome Boateng, famously dropped by one of Messi’s feints, agreed: Defending Messi one-on-one is not possible.

And Hristo Stoichkov summed him up best: Once they said they can only stop me with a pistol, but today you need a machine gun to stop him.

2
Diego Maradona
1976–1997
One unforgettable image of Diego Maradona shows six Belgians chasing him at once during the 1986 World Cup. That’s how much attention he demanded. According to Opta, he’s the only player to be fouled over 50 times in a World Cup—and it happened twice.

During the 1986 tournament, he completed 53 dribbles—more than any team except France managed in the 2022 edition.

His most iconic moment came against England: a 51-metre run capped by a cool finish past Peter Shilton. Argentina’s commentator Victor Hugo Morales captured the moment perfectly: Cosmic kite! What planet are you from?

1
Garrincha
1951–1972
From birth, Garrincha was different. With both legs curving the same way, he was physically unlike any other footballer. But that irregularity became the source of his magic.

Like a poet touched by an angel… like a dancer hooked to a rhythm, Garrincha played with pure joy, improvisation, and instinct.

Despite sharing a stage with Pele, many Brazilians adored Garrincha more for his unwavering devotion to entertainment. Statistics can’t tell his story—but anecdotes do.

One referee threatened to send him off for humiliating the same defender too many times. Even his coach once tried to get him to stop dribbling. It didn’t work.