World Cup 2018: The 'Alternative' Awards

Best Dribbler: Eden Hazard (Belgium)

Eden Hazard was one of the best players at the World Cup in Russia

Eden Hazard was absolutely brilliant for Belgium in the World Cup, as his pace, crossing, through passes and composure broke down almost every opponent that the Red Devils faced (with the obvious exception of France in the semi-final). In fact, the Chelsea winger had the highest WhoScored player rating of any player in the World Cup.

Yet, what made Hazard’s performance in the World Cup so special was his dribbling that even eclipsed the trickery of Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe. The Belgian averaged a successful 6.3 dribbles per game, highest in the tournament (with a total of 40 - also highest in the tournament).

Even more impressively, Hazard was incredibly efficient with his dribbling as 76.9% of his dribbles were successful. That is a higher percentage than Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi. But Hazard’s brilliant dribbling goes beyond statistics or fan-pleasing moves.

It had a tangible impact on Belgium as his artistry was key to the thrashings that Belgium handed to Tunisia and Panama in the group stages. Perhaps the best example of this occurred in the Round of 16 in the middle of Belgium’s comeback.

With Belgium down 2-1, Hazard dribbled around Yuto Nagotomo before whipping in a delicious cross for Marouane Fellaini to head in the equalizer.