20 Best Dribblers in Football
History (Ranked)
Summary
Some of the most exciting
players in football history have
built their reputations on
incredible dribbling ability.
Brazil has produced a glut of
legendarily skilful players over
the years.
Lionel Messi is the best dribbler
of his generation but has been
outstripped by some greats from
the past.
When football was first
popularised on the playing fields
of English public schools in the
second half of the 20th century,
dribbling was the most
important skill. At a time when
passing was practically
considered to be an act of
cowardice, mastery of the ball
was paramount.
The game has evolved over the
subsequent decades, but those
players who can find their way
through a thicket of bodies,
appealing to the joyful style
conducted in playgrounds in
each corner of the globe, have
always inspired widespread
acclaim. The best goalscorers win
games, the greatest defenders
win titles, but the ultimate
weavers win hearts and minds.
Cult heroes and Ballon d'Or
winners, serial champions and
mercurial mavericks. The roll call
of the game's best dribblers of all
time is wonderfully varied.
Ranking Factors
Stats - Dribbles attempted and
completed at a high success rate
are the most important numbers
to watch out for.
Reputation - Alongside detailed
statistics, which aren't always
available in bygone eras, the
glowing accounts of fellow
players, managers and observers
are considered.
Competition - Finding a way past
the best defenders in the world
at the highest level is more
impressive.
Longevity - Only the best have
been able to build a repertoire of
skills big enough to continuously
bamboozle.
3:05
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20 Eddie Gray
1966-1983
Eddie Gray spent his entire career
at Leeds United between 1965
and 1983, playing an integral
part in the golden era under Don
Revie. The Scottish winger was
extremely skilled at causing
problems for opposition full-
backs and creating space for
others with his impressive
dribbling ability.
Gray's second against Burnley in
a league match in April 1970
remains one of the best goals in
Leeds' 105-year history. The
Scotsman picked the ball up on
the left wing before taking the
ball past numerous defenders
and slotting the ball past the
goalkeeper. He later became the
club's manager on two separate
occasions.
Career Stats
Nation Scotland
Notable
clubs Leeds United
Games 579
Goals 69
Honours Football League First
Division (x2), FA Cup
(x1), League Cup (x1),
FA Charity Shield (x1),
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
(x2)
19 Gianfranco Zola
1984-2005
Gianfranco Zola enjoyed a
successful 21-year playing career,
plying his trade for the likes of
Napoli and Chelsea. During his
time at the Blues, he cemented
himself as one of the best players
in the club's history, winning six
trophies, including two FA Cups.
The Italian playmaker also made
35 appearances for his country
between 1991 and 1997.
Due to his low centre of gravity
and close control in tight spaces,
Zola was hard to dispossess and
left opposition blue-faced
countless times throughout his
career. Brian Laudrup, who
played with the Italian at Chelsea
in 1998, picked his perfect XI in
2008 and included Zola,
describing him as a magician.
Zola said:
‘The magician’ did things with
the ball I’ve never seen before or
since. Had brilliant technique and
incredible balance, almost a
carbon copy of Maradona, with
whom he played at Napoli. His
free-kicks were extraordinary. A
true artist, who could show you
things you didn’t know about the
game, and the perfect foil for a
big, strong striker.
Career Stats
Nation Italy
Notable
clubs Chelsea, Napoli, Parma
Games 698
Goals 212
Honours Serie A (x1), UEFA Cup
(x1), European Super
Cup (x1), FA Cup (x2),
League Cup (x1), FA
Charity Shield (x1), UEFA
Cup Winners' Cup (x1),
UEFA Super Cup (x1)
18 Paul Gascoigne
1988-2004
Paul Gascoigne was one of the
most talented players to ever put
on the Three Lions shirt.
Domestically, he enjoyed spells at
the likes of Newcastle United,
Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers and
Everton, winning the 1991 FA
Cup with Spurs.
'Gazza' came close to winning
silverware for his country, losing
in two semi-finals against
Germany in the World Cup and
the European Championships.
Despite his off-field antics,
Gascoigne performed on the
pitch in the big moments. His
best moment in an England shirt
arguably came against Scotland
at Euro 96, volleying the ball past
the goalkeeper and performing
the infamous 'dentist's chair'
celebration. The former attacking
midfielder remains one of the
most naturally gifted players ever
to be produced on these shores.
Career Stats
Nation England
Notable
clubs Newcastle United,
Tottenham Hotspur,
Rangers, Everton
Games 464
Goals 90
Honours FA Cup (x1), FA Charity
Shield (x1), Scottish
Premier Division (x2),
Scottish Cup (x1),
Scottish League Cup
(x1)
17 Roberto Baggio
1982-2004
Roberto Baggio was one of the
most memorable footballers of
the 20th century. He won two
Serie A titles for Juventus and AC
Milan and finished runner-up at
the 1994 World Cup, infamously
missing the decisive spot-kick in
the final against Brazil.
The Italian midfielder was an
iconic player, renowned for his
ability to easily drift past
defenders and ball striking from
set pieces. In the early 1990s,
there weren't many players
better than Baggio. He won the
1993 Ballon d'Or before finishing
second the following year.
Despite coming agonisingly close
to winning silverware for his
country, Baggio is still
remembered as one of the best
Italian footballers ever.
Career Stats
Nation Italy
Notable
clubs Juventus, AC Milan,
Inter Milan
Games 660
Goals 304
Honours Serie A (x2), Coppa
Italia (x1), UEFA Cup
(x1)
16 Zico
1971-1994
Zico started his career at
Flamengo, making his
professional debut in 1971. He
spent 12 years here, winning the
Brazilian league title three times,
along with the Copa Libertadores
in 1981. He later spent spells at
Udinese and Kashima Antlers. In
the mid-1970s and early 1980s,
the Brazilian playmaker
established himself as one of the
best players in world football,
excelling for club and country.
For the national team, he made
71 appearances and is the fifth-
highest goalscorer in Brazil's
history. His dazzling individual
performances meant he was
awarded the South American
Footballer of the Year three times
during his career. Zico's dribbling
ability coupled with his prowess
at free-kicks cemented his place
as one of the best Brazilian
players ever.
Career Stats
Nation Brazil
Notable
clubs Flamengo, Udinese,
Kashima Antlers
Games N/A
Goals N/A
Honours Campeonato Carioca
(x7), Campeonato
Brasileiro Serie A (x3),
Copa Libertadores (x1),
Intercontinental Cup
(x1)
15 Dennis Bergkamp
1986-2006
As a young player, Dennis
Bergkamp came through the
ranks with Ajax and made his
debut for the club when Johan
Cruyff was manager. Over the
years, Bergkamp developed into
a reliable scorer, capable of
displaying flair where necessary.
His form in Amsterdam saw Inter
Milan come calling in 1993.
After struggling to settle,
Bergkamp moved to Arsenal in
1995 and would spend the rest
of his career in North London. It
was here that he showcased his
level in one of the world’s best
leagues, with Bergkamp’s
phenomenal dribbling ability
meaning he was a mainstay in
the Arsenal team for over a
decade.
Career Stats
Nation Netherlands
Notable
clubs Arsenal, Inter, Ajax
Games 732
Goals 264
Honours Premier League (x3),
UEFA Cup (x2), FA Cup
(x4)
14 John Barnes
1980–1999
Growing up with a father shaped
by an adult life in the Jamaican
army, John Barnes prided himself
on his discipline. Even when
performing the seemingly
spontaneous act of deceiving an
opponent, the former Liverpool
winger adopted an approach
laced with military precision,
making every jink and shimmy in
direct response to the body
position of his opponent.
The calculating weaver's most
famous goal came after a nut-
and-bolt deconstruction of
Brazil's backline during a friendly
in 1984. Barnes danced between
six yellow shirts before throwing
in one more feint to leave
goalkeeper Roberto Costa on his
backside. The Liverpool legend is
always quick to quell any
hyperbole inspired by his
dynamic dribble, once even
claiming that he scored a better
goal for Watford against
Rotherham.
Career Stats
Nation England
Notable
clubs Watford, Liverpool,
Newcastle
Games 830
Goals 208
Honours First Division (