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In the game of football, there aren't too many better sights than a player waltzing his way past opposition player with sheer elegance. Over the years, several iconic dribblers have graced the game and left lasting impressions on the beautiful game, as football continues to evolve in the stats era.
The modern era, however, is worlds apart from the years that have gone by. Teams across Europe are taking the data analytics route and prefer effective dribblers, as opposed to the showboaters who are potentially more entertaining.
The likes of Ronaldinho, Garrincha, Johan Cryuff, George Best and Roberto Baggio, amongst others, are widely regarded as the greatest dribblers of all time. Lionel Messi is also a master of the craft and has shown that he is more than capable of leaving defenders for dead with his magic on the ball over the years.
Currently, a handful of prominent names stand out when the topic of effective dribblers is discussed, while the glitz and glamour from yesteryear is also retained by the likes of Neymar and Roberto Firmino.
On that note, here is a subjective view on the ten best dribblers in world football currently ranked based on their effectiveness from the 2019-20 season.
Note: All stats are gathered from Whoscored.com and are correct as of 13th Aug 2020
#10 Nabil Fekir | Real Betis
Having come close to a move to Liverpool in the summer of 2018, Nabil Fekir stayed at Lyon for a year and secured an unexpected move to Real Betis 12 months ago.
The former Lyon captain and World Cup winner with France is a gifted dribbler and has proved his worth in the Spanish top-flight in what was an underwhelming campaign for his side.
Betis finished 15th on the La Liga standings, but Fekir enhanced his reputation with a series of eye-catching performances and notched up seven goals and assists apiece in 32 appearances.
The 27-year-old also attempted 151 dribbles and completed a respectable total of 98, a stat that confirms his status as an effective dribbler.
#9 Papu Gomez | Atalanta
Alejandro Gomez is one of the most unique players in world football, as the diminutive Argentine continues to turn heads with his performances for an Atalanta side that has taken Europe by storm in the past 12 months.
The fulcrum of Gian Piero Gasperini's 3-4-1-2, Gomez links the midfield to the attack and has the unique ability to score goals as well as create them.
The 32-year-old ended the season with eight goals and 18 assists in all competitions for Atalanta, as they finished second in the Serie A after a fantastic domestic campaign.
Papu Gomez was also amongst the best dribblers of the 2019-20 season and completed 63 out of 107 attempted dribbles in all competitions.
Also Read: Top 10 Juventus players of all time
#8 Jonathan Ikone | Lille
Lille's exciting attacking midfielder Jonathan Ikone is making a name for himself with a series of eye-catching displays for the Ligue 1 outfit.
The 22-year-old was also shown in the Champions League in the 2019-20 season, as he continues to make a mark for a Lille side that has seen the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Victor Osimhen earn big money moves to other European clubs.
Primarily a #10, Ikone has also played on the wings and is a smart operator with the ball at his feet. With four goals and seven assists across all competitions for Lille, the young Frenchman also attempted 155 dribbles and completed 91 of those in all competitions this season.
#7 Paulo Dybala | Juventus
Paulo Dybala enjoyed a stunning season where he silenced his doubters, as he played a pivotal role in Juventus' Serie A triumph. The Argentine had one of his most productive seasons as a professional footballer and formed a formidable partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Palermo man is a smart operator who is capable of wriggling his way past opposition players in tight spaces. Additionally, he is also an incredibly intricate dribbler in and around the penalty area.
In 41 Serie A and Champions League appearances for Juventus, Dybala attempted a total of 128 dribbles and completed 77 of those this season.
#6 Roberto Firmino | Liverpool
Roberto Firmino is an indispensable member of Jurgen Klopp's side and the Liverpool #9 plays a unique role for his team. Starting as the leading man with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah either side of him, Firmino drops deeps and allows the wingers to run in behind the defence while also contributing to the defensive side of the game.
The Brazilian attacker is regarded as one of the most complete strikers in world football currently but has often been slated for his lack of goals and finishing ability. Nevertheless, Firmino enjoyed a fantastic season with Liverpool and spearheaded them to their first league title in over 30 years.
The former Hoffenheim man boasts a bag of tricks in his repertoire and is also an incredibly efficient dribbler around the opposition penalty area. Firmino completed 70 of his 117 attempted dribbles in the 2019-20 season and played an important part in Liverpool's historic league triumph.
#5 Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian Mbappe is already one of the best players in the world at the age of 21 and is on his way to establishing himself as one of the greats of the game.
The Frenchman is blessed with incredible dribbling ability and is also amongst the quickest players on the planet, while his off the ball movement and direct running makes him a handful to defend against.
Mbappe and Neymar have spearheaded Paris Saint-Germain to new heights and the Parisian outfit currently find themselves in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League. With Neymar suffering with injuries this season, Mbappe has been their talisman and racked up a staggering 30 goals in all competitions for Thomas Tuchel's side.
The 21-year-old also completed 62 of his 132 dribbles and is rapidly establishing himself as one of the biggest matchwinners in world football.
Also Read: 5 most underrated players in the Premier League
#4 Wilfried Zaha | Crystal Palace
Widely regarded as one of the hardest players to defend against in 1v1 situations, Wilfred Zaha did not have his best season in Crystal Palace colours in terms of goals and assists. Nonetheless, his presence proved to be important for Roy Hodgson's team, as they comfortably avoided relegation and finished mid-table.
Zaha is amongst the very few wide players Palace have in their ranks currently and sometimes takes it upon himself to beat opposition players and make things happen for his side.
The former Manchester United winger is blessed with outstanding pace and trickery on the ball. Zaha has also shown that he has enough intricacy around the penalty area to waltz his way past defenders in tight spaces.
The Ivorian international is Palace's outlet and is often tasked with carrying the ball through the length of the pitch before reevaluating his options near the penalty area.
Zaha attempted a staggering 267 dribbles in for the Eagles in the 2019-20 season and completed 163 of those, while he also notched up five goals and three assists for his side.
#3 Adama Traore | Wolves
Adama Traore is arguably the most destructive dribbler in world football currently and is impossible to stop on his day. The Spaniard's physique coupled with his pace is a terrifying proposition for defenders, while his direct running and crossing ability makes him an invaluable asset for Wolves.
Traore has often been slated for his lack of end product and his knack of aimlessly dribbling in wrong areas of the pitch. However, in the 2019-20 season, the former Barcelona star came of age and delivered several reliable performances for Nuno Espirito Santo's side, as they strengthened their Premier League status.
The 24-year-old racked up six goals and nine assists in all competitions for Wolves and enjoyed the most productive season of his career. Traore also attempted a whopping 312 dribbles and completed 231 of those, a stat that is sure to instil fear amongst opposition defenders.
#2 Lionel Messi | Barcelona
Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest dribbler of all time and has proved that he is impossible to stop when in full flow. The Argentine genius is outrageously gifted on the ball and has the uncanny ability to drop his shoulder and casually waltz past opposition players.
While Barcelona were beaten to the La Liga title by Real Madrid, Messi enjoyed another stunning season for the Catalans and topped the league for goals as well as assists.
When it comes to dribbling, the Argentine is simply in a league of his own. Messi rarely wastes possession and is an incredibly efficient dribbler, while his magic in and around the penalty area needs no introduction.
Also see - Lionel Messi Net Worth
With his low centre of gravity and impeccable ball control, Messi is living proof that form is temporary and class is permanent. The Barcelona talisman completed 236 of 339 dribbles attempted in the 2019-20 season and continues to set the standard in his position.
#1 Neymar | Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Neymar tops the list of best dribblers in the 2019-20 season. The Paris Saint-Germain star is blessed with natural ability in abundance and is part of an exclusive group of players who can combine flair and efficiency with equal measure.
Neymar is blessed with the Samba flair that you can associate with the likes of Ronaldinho and Kaka and is a graceful dribbler who brings you to the edge of your seat.
The Brazilian has endured an injury-laden season for the Parisian side but has been absolutely unstoppable whenever he has played. Despite featuring just 20 times in all competitions, Neymar has attempted a staggering 199 dribbles till date and completed 125 of those.
The 28-year-old is one of the most influential players on his day and is a certified box-office footballer regardless of whether he plays for PSG or Brazil.
Also Read: 5 players who will definitely win the Ballon d'Or in the future
