10 Greatest Football Dribblers of All Time

10. Eden Hazard (Belgium; 2007-2023)

The Belgium star Eden Hazard, standing at 5ft 7in, known for his agility and balance, made his professional football debut for Ligue 1 side Lille on November 24, 2007, against Nancy as a substitute. The 16-year-old went on to make a total of 194 appearances for the club, leading them to the Ligue 1 title and French Cup during the 2010-11 season. 

In 2012, the tricky Belgian joined Chelsea in the Premier League for a reported fee of £32 million. Hazard spent the next few years tormenting the defenders in the English Premier League, winning two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and two UEFA Europa League titles. 

Hazard joined his dream club Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 for a mega transfer fee. Although his time with Los Blancos was hindered by constant injuries. But he still won two LaLiga titles, one UEFA Champions League, one Spanish Super Cup, one Spanish Cup and one UEFA Super Cup. 

The Belgian maestro completed exactly 999 take-ons, per Opta. He retired in 2023 at the age of 32.

9. Neymar (Brazil; 2009–Present) 

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The Brazilian superstar Neymar is the most expensive player in football history when he joined PSG from FC Barcelona for a reported €222 million transfer fee. Neymar broke through at Brazilian club Santos, and made his professional debut for the club on March 7, 2009, at the age of 17. 

Neymar was always destined for the stars and made his name known to the world when in 2010, he made FIFA change their rules because of his penalty technique. He also finished in the top 10 of the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2011 when he was just 19 years old. Known for his nutmegs, flicks and dribbles, Neymar won plenty of titles with FC Barcelona before joining PSG. 

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top score, overtaking Pele’s record in 2023. Neymar’s career has been setback by injuries but his play style has inspired many fans and current footballers. He currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. 

8. Ronaldo Nazário (Brazil; 1993-2011)

Known as ‘El Fenomeno,’ Ronaldo Nazario is considered as the greatest centre-forward of all time. Ronaldo Nazario was the complete package, and he could do everything: score, create and dribble. His trademark step-overs were a nightmare for defenders and even goalkeepers at times. 

He was famously known for his haircut during the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. He later revealed it was a deliberate distraction from his leg injury. He lead his national side to the title, winning the Golden Boot in the process. 

Ronaldo Nazário won two Ballon d’Or titles (1997 and 2002), playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and AC Milan among others. He retired from professional football in 2011. Currently, the former Brazilian star is the majority owner of the Spanish side Real Valladolid. 

7. Sir Stanley Matthews (England; 1932–1965)

While some may think how someone who only scored more than 10 in one of his 29 league seasons is considered as an icon of English football, well, the answer is simple, Sir Stanley Matthews was known for his tricks, dribbling and ability to entertain fans. The so-called 'Wizard of the Dribble' was hailed by the legendary Pele as "the man who taught us how football should be played".

He only won one trophy in his long playing career, leading Blackpool to a 4-3 victory in the FA Cup final over Bolton in 1953. The final is still fondly remembered as the 'Matthews Final', due to Matthews’ exceptional trickery and wing play on the day. 

6. Ronaldinho (Brazil, 1998–2015)

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Ronaldinho is a name synonymous with skills and tricks. Playing with a smile on his face and magic in his feet, the Brazilian represented the joy of pure football. His playstyle made him one of the most beloved footballers in history. 

One of Ronaldinho's first coaches infamously told him: "You'll never in your life make it as a footballer," playing the way he did. But he did and he went on to become one of the biggest names in football history. 

He played for big clubs such as Gremio, PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, and Atletico Mineiro. Winning trophies such as the Champions League, Copa Libertadores, World Cup and Copa America in the process. He was also awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2005. 

5. Johan Cruyff (Netherlands, 1964–1984)

Cruyff will forever be remembered as one of the best footballing minds in history and his ideology of “total football” still remains relevant to this day. Johan Cruyff was more than just a footballer; he was a philosopher on the pitch. 

The legendary Dutch footballer is one of only a few in history to have a skill move named after them, 'Cruyff turn'. Sweden's Jan Olsson was the first player subjected to the move. He went on to complete 12 dribbles in the same match. 

During his illustrious playing career, Cruyff won three European Cups, LaLiga title and nine Eredivisie titles. 

 4. George Best (Northern Ireland, 1963–1984)

George Best is widely regarded as many as the greatest right winger in football history. Best spent the majority of his career at Manchester United, making 470 appearances and scoring 179 goals. Not only was he a great goalscorer, but he was a great dribbler and entertainer. 

George Best’s play style was a combination of pace, balance, skill, feint and the whole lot. He was also very double-footed. He won two English top-flight titles, one FA Cup, two English Super Cups and one European Cup. He also the illustrious Ballon d’Or trophy in 1968. 

3. Diego Maradona (Argentina, 1976–1997)

The saying that fans would fill stadiums just to see Diego Maradona practice and train. Diego Maradona is one of the greatest footballers in history. Maradona struck fear into the opposition's defence with his dribbling ability. 

Fun Fact: During the 1986 World Cup, Maradona completed a staggering 53 dribbles, helping Argentina lift the trophy in the process. For comparison, only one team (France) managed more between them at the 2022 World Cup.

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal is one of the most famous goals in football history and remains relevant and talked about to this day. He was also handed the FIFA World Cup Goal of the Century (20th century) award for his goal at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico for Argentina against England. He dribbled past four defenders and the goalkeeper to slot the ball in the back of the net. 

He is also one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award, alongside Pelé. The great Argentine sadly passed away in 2020. 

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina, 2003–Present)

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Possibly the greatest football player of all time, Lionel Messi is second on our list of the greatest football dribblers of all time. Messi spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona, before joining PSG on a free transfer. He currently features for Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami. 

Messi’s dribbling is a combination of balance, control, and sudden bursts of speed. Adding to that is Messi’s incredible centre of gravity, his goal-scoring ability and his incredible passing range and ability. Messi holds the record for the most trophies won in football history (46). He is also second on the list of all-time top scorers in football history, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi also holds the record for the most Ballon d’Ors (8) in football history. 

1. Garrincha (Brazil, 1951–1972)

Topping our list of the greatest dribbles the footballing world has ever seen is Brazil’s Garrincha. Born into the poverty of Pau Grande, Garrincha had a pair of bent legs, gently curving the same way like two right-hand brackets. This would play a big role in his ability to dribble past players. 

Labelled as “The King of Dribble”, Garrincha was a part of Brazil’s golden generation, and he was one of the most famous players just behind Pele. He won two FIFA World Cups (1958 and 1962) with Brazil, bringing joy to millions of fans worldwide.