Top 5 dribblers in world football currently

Individual brilliance will always have a special place in the hearts of football fans around the world. There is still an inherent charm revolving around dribblers in football that fills supporters with ecstasy and often drowns the opposition in agony.

World-class dribblers are a treat to the eye; they add that extra bit of excitement to a game of football. The modern game is filled with some great dribblers, but who are the top 5 among them? Read on to find out.

#5 Anthony Martial (France, Manchester United)

The Frenchman’s resurgence this season has been one of the highlights for Manchester United. When Anthony Martial is fit and raring to go, few players on the world can skip past defenses like him. The former Monaco winger joined United as a 19-year-old and predominantly played as a winger, preferably on the left-hand side. He was devastating at the start of his career, announcing himself to the United faithful with that spectacular debut goal against Liverpool. After a dip in form for the past few seasons, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival seems to have rejuvenated the Frenchman.

Martial has been given the No. 9 shirt and the No. 9 role at United this season and he has responded very well. His injury came at the wrong time for both him and his club, but with the Frenchman fit again, United have been on the rise of late. His style of play is heavily reliant on astute ball skills, and he combines trickery with speed to beat his markers.

During his first season, the Frenchman sizzled with the ball at his feet, recording 2.7 successful dribbles per game on an average. He would receive the ball at the touchline and then run at pace towards the inside, the ball clinging to his leg as he easily swept aside challenges to venture into the box. It was a fruitful year as well, he ended up scoring 14 goals. This season, Martial is averaging 1.8 successful dribbles per game so far and has 5 goals from 10 appearances in all competitions.

Anthony Martial has shown signs of hitting a higher gear this season and already is one of the most important players at United. His skills on the ball make him the 5th best dribbler in the world right now.

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#4 Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

The sensational Frenchman turns 21 next month and he is the rising star of world football at the moment. Kylian Mbappe’s career has unfolded pretty well since making the move to Paris Saint-Germain, initially on loan, at the start of the 2017/18 season. He scored 21 goals in his first season, before hitting 39 last time. This year, the Frenchman has already scored 9 times in 11 appearances.

Mbappe’s biggest asset might be his speed, but he is also one of the finest dribblers in the world right now. The former Monaco player has been compared to another legendary Frenchman, Thierry Henry, due to his eye for the goal and his style of play. Mbappe is equally comfortable on both wings and likes to cut inside from the left to shoot from his right foot. The Frenchman can leave even the best of defenders behind with his pace on the pitch, and he combines that excellently with his skills on the ball. Mbappe often relies on a change of pace, body feints, step overs, and clever turns to get the better of the opposition. The sight of him running at the opposition on the counter can instill fear into the hearts of even the most capable defenders.

The Frenchman registered above 3 successful dribbles per game in his first season with PSG, while in the last term, he had more than 2 dribbles per game. This season, Mbappe is averaging 2.4 successful dribbles per game.

#3 Eden Hazard (Belgium, Real Madrid)

The Belgian's dream move to Real Madrid might not have unfolded as he had hoped, however, he remains one of the best dribblers in world football at the moment. Eden Hazard caught the eye when he broke into the scene with Lille when he was also awarded the Ligue 1 player of the year. However, it was during his time at Chelsea that Hazard realized his true potential.

Even though he was used across the front three with Lille, Hazard made the left attacking position his own at Stamford Bridge. He was brilliant down the left, cutting inside and shooting with purpose, while also using his fantastic skills to create chances and bring his teammates into play. By the time he left Chelsea, he had scored 110 goals from 352 appearances.

On his day, the Belgian is unplayable, floating across the pitch and skipping past defenders as if they aren't even there. His incredible balance helped him stay grounded and also aids in his dribbling. Hazard has a bag full of tricks in his repertoire and often leaves the opposition stunned by churning out a moment of magic on the pitch.

Despite his indifferent start to life in Spain, the 28-year-old is currently registering 3.3 successful dribbles per game, which makes him one of the best dribblers in the world at present.

#2 Neymar (Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain)

Neymar was ear-marked to be Lionel Messi's successor at Barcelona at one point of time. The Brazilian certainly had the tools to follow in the footsteps of the greatest player in the world and even had a stellar start to his career at the Camp Nou. Neymar scored 105 goals from 186 appearances for the Catalans before securing a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017.

In Paris, the Brazilian has managed 55 goals from 63 appearances till date, as he has been bugged with injuries since his move. However, when fit, Neymar is one of the best dribblers of the world at the moment and has the ability to unsettle even the best defenses in the world. The Brazilian likes to operate in the left forward role, from where he cuts inside, using innovative skills and tricks to fool the opposition. His ball skills can range from spectacular to outrageous and his movement and flicks almost always keep the opposition on their toes. Step-overs, feints, rainbow flicks are just some of the innumerable skills he has mastered, however, sometimes he can be guilty of a little showboating.

This season too, Neymar has suffered due to injuries, which has restricted him to just 5 appearances for PSG. However, he has averaged 4.8 dribbles per game so far, which reinstates his position as one of the best dribblers in world football at the moment.

#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

The ball stays glued to his foot; I've seen great players in my career, but I've never seen anyone with Messi's ball control.

When Diego Maradona uses those words to describe a player, one has to sit up and take notice. But even without his countryman's vote of approval, Lionel Messi still is among the greatest players ever to grace the beautiful game. La Pulga Atómica or the Atomic Flea, as he is also known due to his short stature, Messi's abilities are beyond the reach of the beautiful game.

His short height and low stature gave him incredible balance, which he has utilized beautifully on a football pitch. Running with the ball at his feet, Messi is a nightmare for every defense in the world. The ball appears to be a part of his body, mesmerized and smitten to the limits of infatuation.

Some of the Barcelona Skipper's main weapons are his change of pace, turns, and feints. Messi's command on the ball is enchanting at times. His style of dribbling is neither flashy nor flamboyant, however, it is extremely effective. Dispossessing him off the ball without causing a foul is next to impossible, while he is clever enough to use the defender's weaknesses to his advantage.

The Argentinean has registered unbelievable dribbling statistics throughout his career. This season too, Messi is averaging 4.7 dribbles per game and has 9 goals from 11 appearances for Barcelona. He continues to be the best dribbler in world football at the moment.

Edited by Sai Teja