Top 10 Best Dribbler in the World – 2025 (Ranked)

Dribbling is the art of weaving through defenders with speed and control, making it one of the most exciting skills in football. Yes, some other aspects make football a better sport, but dribbling remains at the top. Some players are god gifted and others have to excel in the skill through hard work. If we talk about Lionel Messi, he has insane dribbling skills, and the amount he spends on dribbling is much less compared to others. On the other hand, we have Ronaldo, who has given his sweat and time to learn the art of dribbling. Whether through natural talent or relentless dedication, these legends make dribbling a mesmerizing spectacle that defines football’s magic.

Football, as a game in recent times, has bent towards a more robotic approach where players are given a specific role and restricted from trying 1v1. Still, some ballers have earned the confidence of their coaches and won the hearts of football fans with their exceptional dribbling. This article will unveil the top 10 best dribbler in the world who are making this beautiful game more interesting in the era of ‘Simple football’.

As the new generation of footballers has started appearing on the scene, a few have already impressed football fans through their dribbling skills like Lamine Yamal, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nico Williams and many more. In this article, we are going to cover all the new-age footballers with some veterans who are considered the best dribbler in the world right now. To make sure our biases didn’t impact the ranking, we have several ranking factors based on which we will find who is the best dribbler in the world.

List of Best Dribbler in the World Currently

The table below answers the question of who is the best dribbler in the world, backed by statistics and their impact on the pitch. The ranking factors to rank these players are as follows – playing style, performance stats (Goals, assists, successful dribbles) and speed and agility

How we Ranked Top 10 Best Dribbler in the World (2025)?

To arrive at our list of the best dribbler in the world 2025 edition, we considered a range of factors that contribute to a player’s effectiveness and reputation in this crucial skill. Our evaluation process incorporated both statistical metrics that quantify dribbling prowess and subjective assessments of the player’s style and overall impact on the game.

• Performance Stats: From a statistical standpoint, we examined several key indicators. The number of goals, assists and successful take-ons per 90 minutes played provides a clear measure of how often a player manages to beat an opponent while in possession of the ball. This statistic highlights those players who have consistently challenged and overcome defenders recently. This factor worked as a primary factor in listing the best dribbler in the world.

• Playing Style: Beyond the numbers, our ranking of the best dribbler in the world also took into account subjective elements that define a truly exceptional dribbler. Players’ unique style of play plays a significant role, as some players possess an aesthetic quality to their dribbling that goes beyond mere effectiveness. The unpredictability and skill with which they navigate past opponents contribute to their reputation and impact. Moreover, the overall impact and effectiveness of their dribbling were considered.

• Speed and Agility: An additional factor while listing the best dribbler in the world 2025 edition was speed and agility. As both speed and agility are something that makes dribbling more effective. This factor was used to cement the rank of an individual in our list.

Who is the Best Dribbler in the World Right Now?

While many say that the game has become extremely technical and individuality, creativity, flair and ankle-breaking dribbles are nowhere to be seen, these top 10 best dribbler in the world are proving everybody wrong with their skills.

10. Nico Williams (Age: 22 | Athletic Club)

Occupying the tenth position on our top 10 best dribbler in the world is the exciting Spanish winger from Athletic Club Nico Williams. Known for his electrifying pace and exceptional ability to beat defenders in 1v1 situations, Williams has quickly established himself as one of La Liga’s most dangerous dribblers. His game is built on taking on opponents directly, utilizing his athleticism to make powerful runs down the flanks for Bilbao.

Statistical analysis reveals his impressive dribbling success rate, placing him among the top wingers in Europe. During the 2024-2025 La Liga season, Williams achieved an impressive 3.6 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, placing him in the 96th percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers in the league. His versatility allows him to attack both inside and outside defenders, making him a constant source of unpredictability for opposing teams. His decision to stay at Athletic Club has shocked everyone, it will be interesting to see how the player will perform in the Red and Whites again in 2025/26 season after he snubbed Barcelona.

9. Florian Wirtz (Age: 22 | Liverpool)

While standard wingers use their acceleration and direct nature to threaten, Florian Wirtz is of a slightly different mould. Usually operating in more central areas, the German doesn’t need a turn of pace to beat opponents. Rather, he relies on his close control and silky footwork. Having recently joined Liverpool, Wirtz is expected to compete for a key role in midfield and could remind fans of the creativity once brought by Philippe Coutinho during his time at the club.

In the 2024-2025 Bundesliga season, Wirtz completed 2.8 dribbles per 90 minutes, a statistic that places him in the 96th percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers in the league. He recorded an impressive 16 goals and 15 assists in the Bundesliga, coupled with 6 goals and 1 assist in the Champions League. These numbers indicate that his dribbling is instrumental in both creating scoring opportunities for his team and finding the back of the net himself. Anfield is exciting to see him on the pitch wearing Liverpool’s jersey.

8. Lionel Messi (Age: 38 | Inter Miami)

Taking the eighth position is none other than G.O.A.T Lionel Messi, now plying his trade for Inter Miami in MLS. Even in the twilight of his illustrious career, Messi’s dribbling ability remains a sight to behold. Despite playing in a league with a different competitive intensity, his close ball control, agility, and uncanny ability to weave through tight spaces are still evident. EA SPORTS FC 25 still recognizes him as one of the top dribblers in the world, a testament to his enduring quality.

Even in the 2024/2025 season playing for Inter Miami, Messi recorded a remarkable 87 successful dribbles in all competitions, with 43 of those coming in league matches. He registered 24 goals and 7 assists in all competitions, including 18 goals and 7 assists in league matches. Furthermore, he managed to score 1 goal in 4 appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup, despite playing alongside largely unresponsive teammates.

7. Rayan Cherki (Age: 21 | Manchester City)

Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted dribblers in European football at the moment, supremely talented French playmaker from Olympique Lyonnais, Rayan Cherki, possesses outstanding technical ability and an uncanny knack for evading pressure in tight spaces. His both-footedness and exceptional ball control allow him to manipulate the ball in ways that leave defenders completely wrong-footed.

Cherki has ranked in the 99th percentile for assists and expected assists (xAG), while also achieving an 87th percentile in successful take-ons. In Ligue 1, he recorded 2.6 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. His move to Manchester City will only make him grow as a dribbler. It will be interesting to see how Cherki will perform in front of some of the best defenders in the world in the English Premier League.

6. Jamal Musiala (Age: 22 | Bayern Munich)

Earning the sixth position on our list is Bayern Munich’s incredibly gifted midfielder, Jamal Musiala. This young German international possesses an exceptional blend of technique, agility, and balance that makes him a joy to watch with the ball at his feet. In the 2024-2025 Bundesliga season, Musiala completed 3.1 take-ons per 90 minutes, placing him in the 98th percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers.

He frequently appears in discussions about the best dribblers in the world, and his statistics back up this reputation. Whether playing in central midfield or on the wing, Musiala’s dribbling ability is a key component of Bayern Munich’s attacking prowess, and his continued development promises even greater things to come. Unfortunately, the player will be out for many months due to a fibula injury. All eyes will be on him, whether he can return to his best after recovering from injury or the injury will impact his future.

5. Vinicius Junior (Age: 24 | Real Madrid)

With his explosive pace on the pitch, exceptional dribbling skills, and fearless approach on the field, Real Madrid’s dynamic Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior has become a constant menace to opposing defenses in La Liga and the Champions League. Statistical data often places him among the top dribblers in Europe, with a high number of successful take-ons. Player analyses highlight his versatility in dribbling, capable of going both down the flank and cutting inside to create scoring opportunities.

During the 2024/25 La Liga season, Vinicius Junior ranked in the 98th percentile for successful dribbles, confirming his status as an elite dribbler in the Spanish top flight. He also completed a remarkable total of 140 dribbles in La Liga, the highest among others in our list. However, some critics question his form after the arrival of Mbappe, but the Brazilian’s performance in the Club World Cup shows that he is ready to break some records under Xabi Alonso.

4. Kylian Mbappe (Age: 26 | Real Madrid)

Kylian Mbappe, the lightning-fast forward for Real Madrid and the French national team, secures the fourth spot on our list. While his blistering pace and clinical finishing often steal the headlines, Mbappe possesses a deceptive dribbling ability that makes him a constant threat to opposing defenses. His approach to taking on defenders is often characterized by cold efficiency, using sharp bursts of speed and subtle changes in direction to glide past opponents.

Despite not being known for elaborate tricks or flicks, Mbappe’s agility and precision with the ball at his feet allow him to navigate tight spaces and create openings for himself and his teammates. His high dribbling rating in EA SPORTS FC 25 further underscores his proficiency in this area. Mbappe demonstrated his proficiency in taking on opponents, achieving 2.6 successful take-ons per 90 minutes in both La Liga and the Champions League, a figure that places him in the 91st percentile among his positional peers.

3. Ousmane Dembele (Age: 28 | PSG)

The electrifying French winger from Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele, is third on our list. Known for his incredible speed, agility, and remarkable two-footedness, Dembele is a nightmare for defenders. His ability to comfortably use both his left and right feet makes him incredibly unpredictable, allowing him to go past opponents on either side. Some statistics even suggest he is one of the top chance creators in the game, highlighting the effectiveness of his dribbling in setting up scoring opportunities.

Over the last 365 days, encompassing the 2024/25 season, Dembele has ranked in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 minutes across the major European leagues. Whether playing in Ligue 1 or the Champions League, Dembele’s dribbling prowess is a key asset for PSG, making him one of the most exciting and dangerous wingers in world football. His standout performance in the 2024/25 season made him the frontrunner in the Ballon d’Or power ranking.

2. Desire Doue (Age: 20 | PSG)

Since bursting onto the scene, ex-Rennes and current PSG’s sensational French winger, Desire Doue, has captivated audiences with his elegant, speedy, and incredibly skillful dribbling. Often drawing comparisons to legendary dribblers of the past, Doue has an uncanny ability to glide past defenders with a combination of pace, trickery, and exceptional close control.

This season, he has ranked in the 89th percentile for progressive carries and the 96th percentile for successful take-ons. In Ligue 1, after his move to PSG, he has 2.9 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. These statistics highlight his tendency to frequently and effectively carry the ball forward, consistently taking on and beating defenders.

1. Lamine Yamal (Age: 17 | FC Barcelona)

Securing the top spot is Barcelona’s sensational young winger Lamine Yamal. At just 17 years old, Yamal has already captured the attention of football fans worldwide with his exceptional dribbling skills and maturity on the pitch. Comparisons to legends like Neymar and Messi have been drawn, highlighting his incredible ball control, agility, and football intelligence. Player analyses emphasize his ability to effortlessly glide past defenders, utilizing subtle touches and quick changes of pace. Additionally, the player is well recognized as the best youngster in the world after the completion of the 2025/26 season.

Despite his young age, Yamal has become a key attacking threat for Barcelona, demonstrating a level of skill and composure that is rare for someone so early in their career. He also ranks the highest in LaLiga in the most successful dribbles per 90 minutes. His inclusion in this list underscores his immense potential and suggests that he could remain one of the world’s best dribblers for years to come.