The technique of sliding the ball between an opponent’s legs, and gaining extra acclaim when the attacking player retains possession after performing the trick is what we know as a 'nutmeg'.
The origination of the word has long been debated. The most popular theory being that it was a slang for the male private anatomy- a concept put forward by Countdown star Susie Dent, of Dictionary Corner.
It is believed to have come into practice when nutmeg (a spice from a tree in the genus Myristica) exports took place between America and England in the 18th century. Since nutmeg was a valuable commodity then, exporters used to mix wooden replicas into the sacks that were being shipped across the Atlantic.
Nutmeg soon came to imply stupidity on the part of the outwit victim and smartness on the part of the trickster. It later caught on in football, where it meant that the player through whose legs the ball had been played had been tricked, or, nutmegged. In Spanish, the skill is known as ‘cano’ or ‘tunel’.
Here are five of the best in World Football so far.
Please note: The opinions aired in this article are those of the writer and do not represent those of Sportskeeda
#5 Romario fools Maradona with 'cano'
Magic happened when two of the South American continent's most iconic footballing exponents - Diego Armando Maradona and Romário de Souza Faria came face to face playing for their respective countries.
The entire world was left stunned when one of the greatest players of the century and a footballing legend across the globe Diego Armando Maradona was nutmegged by his Selecao counterpart Romario. Maradona, who was well known for leaving defenders red-faced, had a bitter taste of his own medicine
In 1993 the Brazilian moved to Barcelona and became part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘dream team’, which included legends like Pep Guardiola and José Mari Bakero.
He formed an exceptional strike partnership with Bulgarian footballer Hristo Stoichkov. Romario won the La Liga in his first season and finished at the top of the leaderboard with 30 goals in 33 matches
#4 George Best predicts his own nutmeg
Three-time Ballon d’Or winner Johan Cruyff who played for Ajax and Barcelona in a glittering career had to face a very embarrassing moment in front of the world when he was nutmegged by George Best during an international between Holland and Northern Ireland in 1976.
Ahead of the game at Rotterdam's De Kuip stadium, Best had been in conversation with journalist Bill Elliot when Cruyff's name cropped up. When asked if he believed Cruyff was a better player, Best scoffed and replied: "You're kidding, aren't you? I'll tell you what I'll do tonight. I'll nutmeg Cruyff, the first chance I get."
The world saw the wild prophecy made by Best come true five minutes into the game as the veteran United player dipped his shoulder twice before slipping it between Cruyff's feet. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Chris McGrath and Derek Spence scoring the Northern Ireland goals.
One of the ultimate footballers of the modern era, Cruyff was a leading player of the Dutch squad who captained Holland in the 1974 World Cup, leading them to the final where they lost 2-1 to West Germany.
Jimmy Nicholl, who played in the game, later recalled: "I remember standing back and watching him, nutmegging Cruyff and, it gave you a lift. "You felt: right here is one of the best players in the world, if not the best, playing for us.Go on then, we deserve to be here."
#3 Dani Alves owns Cristiano Ronaldo with his 'panna'
The El Clasico in October 2013 where Barcelona defeated the Los Blancos side 2-1, we witnessed an amazing set of skill displayed by the Brazilian defender Dani Alves.The Brazilian raced down the right flank, being stalked all the way by the backtracking Ronaldo. As the Real Madrid star got goal sided and blocked him off, Alves looked out of options and retreated slightly as if to lay the ball off.
But that was not his intention. He rolled his leg over the ball, waking the inner Samba inside him as he saw Cristiano off with a remarkable nutmeg through his legs.
The Portuguese was shocked by the nerves of the Brazilian. Ronaldo, who had struggled to keep up with the pace of the rampant full-back, was fortunate when Alves shoved in the ball by smashing it to the shins of goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
#2 Lionel Messi destroys James Milner
Lionel Messi's brilliant nutmeg on James Milner left all the fans awestruck during a Champions League clash between Manchester City and the Spanish side Barcelona in March 2015. Pep Guardiola was seen covering his face as the ex- City midfielder was left on backside.
Messi collected the ball on the right touchline and with Milner quickly closing him down he calmly slotted the ball through his legs as he slid in sending Milner the other away, and the whole stadium erupting.
That was the Argentine's second nutmeg of the match, the Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho being the first victim to Messi's masterclass.
“I have got my legs closed up here,” said Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, who branded the Milner nutmeg 'barbaric' and was wonderstruck by this demonstration from the world's best footballer.
#1 Luis Suarez nutmegs David Luiz twice
People watching the Champions League first leg semi-final clash of 2014-15 between Barcelona and Paris St. German witnessed something extraordinary.
After Neymar had put the Spanish side ahead, Suarez struck his first goal of the game, gliding the ball between Luiz's legs at pace leaving the defender clueless, after holding off a challenge from Maxwell.
Suarez calmly cut inside ex-Chelsea player David Luiz on his way to put Barca 2-0 up before replicating the trick for a second time on the night. The third Barcelona goal was even better when Suarez managed to nutmeg Luiz before striding on and planting a shot into the top left corner of the keeper.
The former Liverpool frontman said to BBC, "A striker is always looking for goals and the two moves came off for me.I had to nutmeg Luiz twice because there was nothing else I could do."
Suarez had scored 31 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for the Merseyside club in the previous season before completing his £75m move to Spain.
