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Football is arguably the most popular sport in the world. The game never ceases to amaze us and offers a lot of excitement and fun. Goals, passes, saves, tackles, crosses, and set pieces makes it really intriguing. Dribbling is one such aspect of the game that makes it a worthwhile for any football fan.
World Cup 2018 has reached its final week and only four games remain in the tournament. England, Belgium, Croatia, and France will fight it out for football’s most prestigious title. This World Cup has witnessed has some great skills and dribbling.
Players like Douglas Costa, Paul Pogba, Florian Thauvin, Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ousmane Dembele, and Goncalo Guedes are some of the best dribblers who graced the World Cup this year. But, the ones on this list are simply a notch above the rest and showed why they are the best dribblers in the World Cup 2018.
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Stats courtesy: whoscored.com, Opta, and squawka.com
Without much ado, let’s take a look at the 5 best dribblers at the 2018 World Cup.:
#5 Kylian Mbappe - 21 dribbles (354 mins)
He is arguably the most exciting players to watch in the 2018 World Cup. Kylian Mbappe was phenomenal for Les Bleus in the tournament so far. The 19-year-old has played a key role in France’s qualification to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Mbappe has scored three goals in the tournament and two of those came against Argentina in the crucial round of 16 game. Didier Deschamps deployed him mostly on the right flank and Mbappe gave nightmares to defenders in the World Cup.
The French international started four games for France in the World Cup and has made 21 successful dribbles, which equates to 5.25 dribbles per game. Mbappe will have to be at his best once again if France has to beat the in-form Belgium in the semifinals on Tuesday. Really impressive for a 19-year-old forward who is playing in his major international tournament.
#4 Neymar - 22 dribbles (450 mins)
Brazil is out of the 2018 World Cup. Five-time Champions lost to Belgium in the quarter-finals and were knocked out of the tournament. Despite his theatrics and drama, Neymar has played well in the tournament.
The Brazilian is known for his nimble footwork and ability to go past defenders at will. Neymar has averaged 7.1 and 7.3 tackles per game in Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League respectively during the 2017/18 season.
The 26-year-old has scored two goals and assisted one more in the World Cup. The Brazilian has completed a total of 22 dribbles (4.4 dribbles per game) in the tournament, nine of those came in a group stage game against Serbia.
#3 Isco - 23 dribbles (390 mins)
Isco was Spain’s best player in the 2018 World Cup. Though La Roja was knocked out of the tournament by Russia in the round of 16, Isco has played some exceptional football in the World Cup.
The Real Madrid star started all the games for Spain in Russia. The 26-year-old scored a goal in the tournament and was a live wire in all of Spain’s four games. He was Spain biggest attacking threat throughout the World Cup.
Isco has completed 23 dribbles (5.75 dribbles per game) in the World Cup. The Spaniard has completed nine dribbles in the round of 16 game against Russia but was unfortunate to finish on the losing side.
#2 Lionel Messi - 23 dribbles (360 mins)
Messi’s international trophy drought continues. La Albiceleste were knocked out of the World Cup by France in the round of 16. Argentina did not play well throughout the tournament and was lucky to finish second in their group.
Though Lionel Messi did not play at his usual best in the tournament, he had his moments. He missed a penalty against Iceland in the opening game but scored a crucial goal against Nigeria. He also provided two assists in the game against France.
The 31-year-old has completed a total of 23 dribbles (5.75 dribbles per game) in the World Cup. Lionel Messi has completed eight dribbles in the game against Iceland and seven in the game against Nigeria.
#1 Eden Hazard - 23 dribbles (338 mins)
Hazard is one of the best performers in the 2018 World Cup. The Belgium international has been in scintillating form and is playing some sublime football at the moment. Belgium are in the semifinals of the World Cup and Hazard deserves a lot of credit for it.
The 27-year-old has scored two goals and assisted two more in the tournament so far. Hazard has shown great skill and pace throughout World Cup and linked up well with United striker Romelu Lukaku.
Hazard was phenomenal in the quarter-final game against Brazil. Though he did not score or assist in the game, he was one of their best players on the pitch that night and broke the world record for most number of successful dribbles in a World Cup game. He has completed 10 dribbles out of 10 attempts in the game.
