Top 10 Greatest Dribblers in Football (Soccer) History

Dribbling is a difficult skill to master, especially at the top level. Running with the ball while maintaining both posture and elegance is a true gift.

This list includes players who have made this skill iconic and have found success through their dribbling abilities!

The Top Ten

Diego Maradona

Diego Armando Maradona (October 30, 1960 - November 25, 2020) was an Argentine professional footballer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Maradona was nicknamed "El Pibe de Oro... read more

We will always remember the best goal in history against England. No, not the hand one!

Diego Maradona, to me, is the second-best dribbler in the world. Although some people might say that he's better than Messi, I don't believe it because, to me, he's second to Messi.
Luka Modrić

Luka Modrić is a Croatian footballer who most recently played for Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2012, where he made nearly 600 appearances and contributed to winning six UEFA Champions League titles and 28 trophies overall. In July 2025, at the age of 39, Modrić... read more
Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born June 24, 1987, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles. He... read more

He is the best player of all time! Keeps the ball close to his feet. Amazing pace. I'm out of words to say. No one will be better than him. Go and watch him play soccer. Your mind will be blown.

This man can waltz past anyone and anything in his way, and with style! Anyone who knows football knows that Messi is the greatest dribbler.

Play against those old-timers today, and watch them get destroyed. Except maybe Pele. They don't even have the fitness.
Garrincha

Manuel Francisco dos Santos, known by the nickname Garrincha, was a Brazilian footballer who played primarily as a right winger and forward. He is widely considered one of the greatest dribblers in the history of football. Garrincha won two FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1958 and 1962 and remains a national... read more

By far the greatest dribbler ever. With his bent legs, he could dribble past anyone. Some of the best dribbling scenes came from Garrincha and his magical legs.
Ronaldo

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, is a Brazilian businessman, president of La Liga club Real Valladolid, and a retired professional footballer who played as a striker. Nicknamed "O Fenômeno" ("The Phenomenon") in Portuguese, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers... read more
Pelé

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as "Pelé", was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in Time's list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was voted... read more
Eden Hazard

Eden Michael Hazard, born January 7, 1991, is a retired Belgian professional footballer. He last played for Real Madrid CF and was the captain of the Belgium national team. Hazard officially announced his retirement from football in October 2023.

One of the most gifted pure dribblers of all time.
Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Yazid Zidane, nicknamed "Zizou," (born 23 June 1972) is a French former professional football player who played as an attacking midfielder. He received many individual accolades as a player, including being named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003, as well as winning the 1998... read more
Ronaldinho

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21, 1980, is better known by his nickname Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He is a Brazilian former professional footballer and a current ambassador for FC Barcelona.
He primarily played as an attacking midfielder but was also effective as a winger. Ronaldinho... read more

Ronaldinho, who should be second on the list, is a wizard when it comes to dribbling. He had the skills, dribbling ability, and just like his god, Lionel Messi, he is also good when it comes to dribbling. No one (except Messi) can be compared to Ronaldinho.

Glad to see that he isn't forgotten.

His dribbling was very tricky.
Neymar

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born February 5, 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team.
He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil national team.... read more

The Newcomers

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Bernard
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Bernardo Silva

The Contenders

Johan Cruyff

Hendrik Johannes "Johan" Cruijff (April 25, 1947 - March 24, 2016) was a Dutch professional football player and coach. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973, and 1974... read more
Alexis Sánchez

Alexis Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez, known as Alexis Sánchez or simply Alexis, is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Udinese. He played a pivotal role in leading Chile to back-to-back Copa América victories in 2015 and 2016. The dynamic attacker has showcased his formidable... read more
Kaká

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká or Ricardo Kaká, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder for clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Orlando City, as well as the Brazil national team. His exceptional vision and passing ability earned... read more
Franck Ribéry

Franck Henry Pierre Ribéry is a former French professional footballer who played for German club Bayern Munich. He finished third in the 2013 Ballon d'Or rankings, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The electrifying winger secured nine Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy during his... read more
Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born February 5, 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team. He has collected five prestigious Ballon d'Or awards and countless major trophies over his storied career... read more

Ronaldo used 3/4 dribbling skills against 3/4 players. Although he doesn't need to dribble because he scores from a distance.

Crazy skills, insane ball control, and speedy runs. He is by far the best dribbler in the world, together with Messi.

He is a complete football player with amazing dribbling skills.
Andres Iniesta

Andrés Iniesta Luján is a retired Spanish professional footballer who most notably played for FC Barcelona and the Spain national team. He won the FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Netherlands. The legendary midfielder also secured four Champions League... read more
Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben is a retired Dutch professional footballer who played for Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. He won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013 and was a runner-up in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands. Known for his trademark move of cutting inside from... read more
George Best

George Best (May 22, 1946 - November 25, 2005) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a winger, spending most of his club career at Manchester United. A highly skillful dribbler, Best is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was named European Footballer... read more

Just check some of his dribbling. Crazy skills.
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira

Eusébio da Silva Ferreira was a Portuguese footballer who played as a striker. He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time due to his remarkable goal-scoring ability and international impact. During his professional career, he scored 733 goals in 745 matches and became the top scorer... read more
Stanley Matthews

One of the best British players, if not the number one.
Nicolae Dobrin
Michael Laudrup
Alfredo Di Stefano

Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhé (July 4, 1926 to July 7, 2014) was an Argentine-born professional footballer and coach who played as a forward. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Blond Arrow was absolutely instrumental in Real Madrid's complete domination of European... read more

Argentina honored him in the match against Holland. Maybe he helped us win it from heaven.
Robinho
Josef Masopust