Dribbling has long been considered one of the most electrifying aspects of football. From Lionel Messi gliding past defenders in his prime to modern-day wingers twisting full-backs inside out, the art of beating a man remains as vital as ever. In the 2024/25 season, the importance of successful take-ons has surged even further, with tactics increasingly focused on creating overloads and isolating players in one-on-one duels.
Based on the number of successful dribbles across all competitions this season, here are the top ten most effective dribblers in the world. These are not just flashy names – they are game-changers whose ability to carry the ball past opponents consistently sets them apart.
10. Michael Olise – 97 successful dribbles
Despite battling injuries that limited his game time, Michael Olise has reminded the football world of his undeniable quality. His dribbling is fluid and composed, often deceiving defenders with subtle shifts in movement. For Crystal Palace, he has been a creative heartbeat, gliding through pressure with poise and purpose. His ability to navigate tight areas is a rarity in the Premier League.
9. Jamal Musiala – 100 successful dribbles
At Bayern Munich, Jamal Musiala continues to dazzle with his street-style football blended with elite-level discipline. His quick feet, sharp turns, and unpredictable movements make him a nightmare in tight zones. Often drifting between the lines, Musiala’s dribbling not only gets him out of pressure but also unlocks spaces for teammates. His youthful audacity adds to his growing influence in the Bundesliga.
8. Florian Wirtz – 105 successful dribbles
Leverkusen’s maestro, Florian Wirtz, has elevated his game with a more aggressive and direct approach this season. Known for his close control and vision, Wirtz now uses his dribbling to destabilize entire midfields and backlines. His balance between risk-taking and control has matured, and he’s playing with the confidence of a true playmaker who’s ready for the global spotlight.
7. Rafael Leão – 105 successful dribbles
Few players match Rafael Leão’s explosiveness. The AC Milan winger combines physical strength with blinding pace, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in transition. His direct runs from the flank often see him beating two or three defenders before delivering a final ball or shot. Leão is not just an athlete – he’s a technical force who thrives on chaos.
6. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – 112 successful dribbles
Bynoe-Gittens has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young wingers. His ability to commit defenders and take them on with confidence is remarkable for his age. What makes him stand out is not just the volume of dribbles but the courage to constantly attempt them. At Dortmund, he’s become a key figure in breaking defensive lines and injecting urgency into the attack.
5. Nico Williams – 119 successful dribbles
At Athletic Club, Nico Williams has evolved from a promising talent into a relentless winger. His low center of gravity, lightning-quick acceleration, and sharp changes of direction make him lethal on both flanks. He’s not only a dribbler but a tactical weapon who draws multiple defenders, freeing up space for teammates. His maturity and consistency have been vital to his rise this season.
4. Jérémy Doku – 128 successful dribbles
Jérémy Doku’s time at Manchester City has seen him become one of Europe’s most fearless dribblers. Pep Guardiola gives him the license to express himself, and he takes full advantage, often racking up double-digit dribbles in a single match. His ability to engage defenders repeatedly, even when marked tightly, reflects his mental toughness and technical sharpness.
3. Vinícius Júnior – 130 successful dribbles
Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger has gone from flair player to world-class forward. Vinícius Júnior combines skill with purpose, slicing through defences with pace and precision. What sets him apart now is his decision-making in the final third. He’s not just dribbling for flair – he’s doing it to change games. With each take-on, he demands respect and creates danger.
2. Kylian Mbappé – 133 successful dribbles
Mbappé’s blistering pace often grabs headlines, but his dribbling ability is equally terrifying. Whether operating from wide areas or through the middle, he has the agility and ball control to weave past defenders even at top speed. His body feints and rapid directional changes are nearly impossible to read. This season, he’s added more variety to his dribbles, making him even harder to predict.
1. Lamine Yamal – 240 successful dribbles
At just 17, Lamine Yamal is rewriting the standards of what a young winger can achieve. With an astonishing 240 successful dribbles this season, he has more than doubled the numbers of most elite players. His technique is flawless, his decision-making is beyond his years, and his confidence is sky-high. Yamal doesn’t just beat defenders – he humiliates them. From the right flank for Barcelona, he creates danger every time he touches the ball. He’s the most prolific dribbler on the planet right now, and arguably, already one of the most entertaining players in world football.
Yamal’s rise also signifies a shift in football’s dribbling landscape. While others rely on power or pace, he leans on finesse, vision, and intelligence. His style is reminiscent of legends, yet uniquely modern in its execution. If he maintains this trajectory, the term “dribbler” may soon be synonymous with his name.
In a footballing world increasingly dominated by tactical rigidity and structured systems, these players are the rule-breakers – the ones who bring unpredictability to the pitch. And among them, Yamal stands tallest, not just as a prodigy, but as a generational dribbling phenomenon.
