How could I forget Paulo Futre?
Greatest Dribbler of All Time
- Thread starter Moby
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Greatest dribblers I’ve ever watched has to be a coin toss between R9 and R10. Can’t talk about people I haven’t seen.
Baggio was indeed a tremendous dribbler, I forgot about him as well. What a player.
Shoutout to Kaka. His dribbling and speed were incredible at the hight og his game.
Bobski already gave your answer but pretty much yeah, he was impeccable.
He constantly performed in Europe as well was in the running for the most goals in that 3 year period and in fact I think his 10 goal season held the best ratio before the days of Messi and Ronaldo.
He was never really the same after the fact, what a shame as he seemed to be one of those iconic characters.
Of the players I watched play:
Messi and R9 were miles ahead of everyone else. No fancy for fancy sake, just deadly efficiency.
R10 and Neymar were the entertainers, the best of the rest.
Also Marta Vieira Da Silva has to be in the conversation. I would rate her alongside the rest of the group, just a touch below Messi and R9.
My top 5 (from those I watched) in order.
Messi
R9
.
.
.
R10
Neymar
Marta
Messi and R9 were miles ahead of everyone else. No fancy for fancy sake, just deadly efficiency.
R10 and Neymar were the entertainers, the best of the rest.
Also Marta Vieira Da Silva has to be in the conversation. I would rate her alongside the rest of the group, just a touch below Messi and R9.
My top 5 (from those I watched) in order.
Messi
R9
.
.
.
R10
Neymar
Marta
Série A physio doctors were encouraged to explore new techniques to reduce the recovery time from injuries. Unfortunatelly for some players those speed recoveries led to premature career endings.
Not all was bad: thanks to those physios sports medicine improved, but some players paid a heavy price.
Where the feck did you crop up from
For me, in no particular order: Best, Cruyff and (so many don't remember or realise it was in his game) Jimmy Greaves
Stephen Hawking must surely be in with a shout for greatest dribbler ever.
Terrible take, what’s the point of the entire academic field of history by that logic. The question was ‘all time’. It wasn’t ‘your time’. It’s ‘all’. I think it’s the opposite, you’re being historically ignorant by choosing to ignore players just because they’re older than you.
Also watch George Best for 10 minutes and you can see he’s a great dribbler. You don’t need to watch 100 matches. What would that do, confirm what everyone already knows?
Maradonna, Cruyff and Best.
John Barnes was the best dribbler in English football in the mid to late 80s by far
Laudrup went from a continous title winning run with Barce to Real to batter Barce when playing for Real mainly due to himself.
Laudrup was the player Iniesta based his game on and looked up to. “The Ballon D'or is worth nothing because Michael Laudrup never won it.” -Pep Guardiola
Laudrup went from a continous title winning run with Barce to Real to batter Barce when playing for Real mainly due to himself.
Where the feck did you crop up from
George Best was the greatest dribbler of them all. I had the pleasure to see him play many times and he always pleased the crowd. He could do anything with the ball at his feet, and often left his oponent amazed as well as the spectators. Just Brilliant.
Barnes is a great shout
Maradona and Messi in the last 40yrs for me.
then Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Baggio..
then Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Baggio..
Messi
Maradona
Dinho
Ronaldo the Fat
Neymar
Ortega
Robben
Giggs
Maradona
Dinho
Ronaldo the Fat
Neymar
Ortega
Robben
Giggs
Yeah I mean the fecker doesn't even do elasticos
Kerson
Pretty damn close.
Maradona, Messi and Best.
Messi, Maradona, Best, Ronaldinho, Robben
Only online do you find someone laughing hysterically at a perfectly reasonable statement. Just never happens when discussing stuff face to face with people
You have to remember Georgie had to play on pitches which would cause postponements nowadays, plus he was up against defenders some of whom could be better described as thugs. He is easily up there with the more modern players mentioned.
Paddy McCourt
at their peak:
Pelé
Best
Cruyff
Maradona
Romário
Ronaldo
Ronaldinho
Iniesta
CR
Messi
those are the GOATS; I could add the likes of Figo or Robben (or strikers that were extremely dangerous with the ball, but not necessarily dribblers, like Ibra) but then the list would be too long (+40 players).
Pelé
Best
Cruyff
Maradona
Romário
Ronaldo
Ronaldinho
Iniesta
CR
Messi
those are the GOATS; I could add the likes of Figo or Robben (or strikers that were extremely dangerous with the ball, but not necessarily dribblers, like Ibra) but then the list would be too long (+40 players).
Messi and maradona
Probably maradona based on the physicality of the tackles he had to deal with
Probably maradona based on the physicality of the tackles he had to deal with
Not my favourite player but prime Hazard must be up there. Some of his highlights were amazing at Chelsea
Robben typically used one shoulder drop and then relied on his acceleration. No doubt he knows his way around a football, but even in his own team, Ribery had more tricks up his sleeve, Thiago had more ball control when watching them do the Rondo.
For me it is hands down Ronaldinho, a class above everyone else in terms of what he could do with a football.
Impossible to nail it down to one player, I'd say.
There are too many variables.
But - for me - the greatest dribblers do not rely on speed. The art of dribbling is about two things: remain in possession and/or gaining some kind of positional advantage (the latter doesn't have to amount to beating your man, as such, it could be about getting a pass or a cross or a shot in that a less skillful player wouldn't manage, because he'd lose control of the ball).
The greatest dribblers have to strike a balance between those two aspects - not losing possession can be rather pointless in and of itself.
There are too many variables.
But - for me - the greatest dribblers do not rely on speed. The art of dribbling is about two things: remain in possession and/or gaining some kind of positional advantage (the latter doesn't have to amount to beating your man, as such, it could be about getting a pass or a cross or a shot in that a less skillful player wouldn't manage, because he'd lose control of the ball).
The greatest dribblers have to strike a balance between those two aspects - not losing possession can be rather pointless in and of itself.
Hatem Ben Arfa.
You have the choice of giving the ball to Robben, or Ribery, with the sole aim of them beating their man with dribbling, and the man you pass to is Robben. To me a great dribbler is a highlights reel of beaten defenders, in match after match after match. Everyone knew what Robben was gonna do, no-one could stop him.
Lionel Messi in his prime is the best I have seen along with prime Maradona.
Next tier would be the Neymar, Ronaldinho, R9.
Than the likes of Robben, Ribery, Baggio.
Ronaldo is difficult to classify. For a few seasons notably 06/07, 09/10, 07/08 he was good yet not top tier but in other seasons he wasn't. In his early days, he was good but used to lose the ball alot and did unnecessary dribbles.
At the end of the day, it is the application of dribbling that is as important as the frequency. The greatest dribblers beat their man more often than not purposefully. Their dribbles lead to goalscoring chances for themselves and their teammates and get them out of trouble.
Next tier would be the Neymar, Ronaldinho, R9.
Than the likes of Robben, Ribery, Baggio.
Ronaldo is difficult to classify. For a few seasons notably 06/07, 09/10, 07/08 he was good yet not top tier but in other seasons he wasn't. In his early days, he was good but used to lose the ball alot and did unnecessary dribbles.
At the end of the day, it is the application of dribbling that is as important as the frequency. The greatest dribblers beat their man more often than not purposefully. Their dribbles lead to goalscoring chances for themselves and their teammates and get them out of trouble.
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Messi in his prime was easily better than Hazard at any point and quite certainly neither relied on pace. More like acceleration coupled with close control.
Cristiano relied alot more on pace and power rather than close control and was a tier below Hazard.
Messi easily better than both.
Interms of freestyle tricks, Ronaldinho was fantastic. But in terms of pure dribbling Messi was better unquestionably.
Good post but we need names!
Hm.
O' Shea for his meggin' of Figo means he's top of the list.
But seriously - some kind of Top 10 thing...I'll think about it.
It would have to be "in no particular order", though.
Fair enough. Would be interested to see your top 10.
Wasn't Ribery like the third most successful dribbler since the stats were started to count.
Here is a statistics until 2019 November by Opta.
1. Lionel Messi - 1,880 take-ons completed (57.2%)
2. Eden Hazard - 1,220 take-ons completed (57.1%)
3. Franck Ribery - 939 take-ons completed (47.9%)
4. Sergio Aguero - 832 take-ons completed (46.6%)
5. Cristiano Ronaldo - 816 take-ons completed (44%)
6. Joaquin - 798 take-ons completed (50.9%)
7. Hatem Ben Arfa - 770 take-ons completed (50.6%)
8. Andres Iniesta - 739 take-ons completed (60.9%)
9. Roberto Firmino - 736 take-ons completed (56.8%)
10. Neymar - 734 take-ons completed (50.2%)