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Football has been graced by some exceptional players who have exhilarated fans with their extraordinary abilities and exhilarating skills over the years. The likes of Pele, Maradona, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, and Zinadine Zidane are just a few of the elite talent who have made us fall in love with football.
The game of football has become increasingly tactical in the past few decades, with strategies and formations playing a more significant role than individual prowess. However, nothing can beat the essence of an entertainer who can deliver moments of joy to spectators by pulling off the spectacular.
On that note, let’s take a look at five of the most entertaining players in the world right now:
5 best players to watch in football right now
#5 Adama Traore
We kick off our countdown with one of the Premier League’s box-office superstars, Adama Traore.
Traore is one of the best players to watch on his good days. He can bamboozle opposition defenders with his explosive pace and exceptional ball control.
The Spain international has an astounding dribble completion rate of 75.9% this season, with 148 successful dribbles at an average of 5.5 dribbles per 90 minutes. He ranks second in the list of Europe’s top 5 players with the most successful dribbles per 90 minutes (minimum qualification of 500 minutes played).
In his farewell season for Middlesbrough in the Championship, Traore pulled off 243 successful dribbles, averaging 8.9 dribbles per 90 in the 2017-18 season.
#4 Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho is one of the most exciting prospects in the footballing world. The Manchester City academy product is extremely flamboyant and is a potential Ballon D’Or winner.
The English teenage sensation has recorded three successful dribbles on average per 90 minutes in the ongoing season, equalling last edition’s tally.
The 21-year-old has a dribble completion rate of 54.6% and notched up a mammoth tally of 121 successful dribbles in the 2018-19 Bundesliga season, where he dribbled past 132 players.
Sancho leads the Bundesliga this season in terms of minutes per successful dribbles and has pulled off the nutmeg on 15 occasions.
The Borussia Dortmund winger is one of European football’s hottest properties, with many top clubs vying for his signature.
After a breakout season in the 2018-19 campaign, Sancho has grown from strength to strength, with 17 goal involvements (8 goals, 9 assists) from 24 appearances across all competitions this footballing year.
#3 Allan Saint-Maximin
Allan Saint-Maximin has showcased exceptional skills since his move to the English shores in the 2019 summer transfer window.
The Newcastle United forward is one of Europe's best in terms of minutes played per successful dribble in the top 5 domestic leagues, with a dribble completed every 19.8 minutes, second only to Lionel Messi's 19.2.
The Frenchman has recorded 5.2 completed dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season. He has been dubbed the Premier League's best one-on-one defender by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and it is not hard to see why.
The 24-year-old has explosive pace and a range of skills at his disposal, allowing him to execute jaw-dropping tricks.
In his debut season at the club, the Magpies' 10 out of 11 wins in the Premier League came when Saint-Maximin started.
#2 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is one of the best footballers in the history of football and is arguably the most talented player on the planet.
The Argentine has the unique ability to dribble at full pace,with the ball glued to his feet. La Pulga's ability to manipulate and pierce through opposition defenses allows him to create unique circumstances, which often lead to goal-scoring opportunities.
While all the players on our list are some of the most talented in the footballing world, none can influence and change the game like Leo Messi. The Argentina and Barcelona captain has completed 4.5 dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2020-21 season and has completed over 2,000 take-ons since the 2005-06 season.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner is enjoying another stellar season with his boyhood club and has a direct involvement in 50 goals (36 goals, 14 assists) from 45 appearances across all competitions this season. He has now scored 30 goals or more every season for the last 13 years.
#1 Neymar
Neymar is arguably the most skillful player in world football at the moment. He has continued the tradition of footballers from South America who have dazzled the footballing world with their incredible skills.
The PSG star is one of the best dribblers in the world game. He has raw pace and immense technical ability on the ball.
Neymar has recorded 5.8 dribbles per 90 minutes and has completed the most successful dribbles in European football this season (minimum qualification of 500 minutes played). The 29-year-old is one of the key contributors to PSG's 22.7 dribbles attempted per match - the most by any team in Europe's top 5 leagues.
Neymar is also one of the most complete forwards in modern football, with clinical finishing and an eye for picking out a dangerous pass.
The 2011 Brazilian Footballer of the Year has notched up 16 goals and 7 assists from 28 appearances across all competitions this season.
