The 10 Greatest Dribblers in Football History – Ranked from 10 to 1

September 2, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Dribbling is where football becomes art. From elegant glides to explosive bursts, the greatest dribblers in history have thrilled fans, humiliated defenders, and carved out unforgettable moments. Whether refined technicians or chaotic geniuses, these players mastered the ball like few ever have. Here's the definitive top 10, starting with Zinedine Zidane and ending with the timeless wizardry of Garrincha.

#10 Zinedine Zidane

Zidane didn’t dribble to show off—he dribbled to control the rhythm of a match. His turns, touches, and iconic roulette move allowed him to glide through pressure like a master conductor. With elegance and purpose, he defined what it meant to manipulate space in midfield.

#9 Neymar

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Neymar made street football work on the biggest stages, blending flair with function. Known for nutmegs, rainbow flicks, and sudden bursts, he brought the crowd to its feet with every touch. Beyond the tricks, his dribbling often opened games that seemed locked tight.

#8 Omar Sivori

Spiky, arrogant, and undeniably gifted, Sivori danced past defenders with a left foot that acted like a magic wand. Nicknamed “El Gran Zurdo,” he turned humiliation into high art. His dribbling was so unrelenting that even Juventus executives admitted it bordered on addiction.

#7 Sir Stanley Matthews

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The original dribbling icon, Matthews made his name with subtle body swerves and precise wing play. In an era before television highlights, he still became a global legend, forever remembered for dominating the “Matthews Final” in 1953. Pele once said he taught the world how to play.

#6 Ronaldinho

A magician with a smile, Ronaldinho brought joy to the game like few before or since. From no-look passes to elasticos, his every move was unpredictable, dazzling both teammates and opponents. His dribbling was pure improvisation—football’s answer to jazz.

#5 Johan Cruyff

Cruyff dribbled with intelligence and intention, never wasteful but always dangerous. The ‘Cruyff Turn’ alone earned him a place in football lore, but his ability to outthink and outmaneuver opponents on the run made him a tactical and technical marvel.

#4 George Best

Quick, fearless, and devastating with both feet, Best could twist defenders inside out at will. His dribbles were poetry in motion—full of audacity, skill, and swagger. He famously nutmegged both Cruyff and Neeskens in one game, just because he could.

#3 Lionel Messi

Messi’s dribbling is surgical—no frills, just devastating accuracy. He dances through tackles with the ball glued to his foot, making impossible runs seem routine. Whether slicing through Real Madrid’s defense or weaving in World Cup glory, Messi always delivers with style and substance.

#2 Diego Maradona

Mexico 1986 world cup football — El Gráfico (own scan), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Maradona didn’t just beat defenders—he overwhelmed them. In 1986, he was fouled over 50 times in a single World Cup yet kept dribbling, kept dazzling. His solo goal against England remains the ultimate dribbling moment, described best by commentator Victor Hugo Morales: “What planet are you from?”

#1 Garrincha

Born with legs that bent the same way, Garrincha defied both logic and defenders with dribbles that no one saw coming. He played with joy, trickery, and rhythm that made crowds roar and opponents dizzy. A two-time World Cup winner, his dribbling wasn’t just a skill—it was a form of liberation.