Top 10 Best Dribblers of the 21st Century

Football has seen many superb dribblers throughout history. From Garrincha to Diego Maradona, we have been blessed to witness elegant players who completely changed the sport for good.

In the 21st century, we have probably seen some of the best dribblers of all time that will go down in history as the greatest ones. Without further ado, check out our top 10 players.  

10. Adama Traoré

An athletic winger, Adama Traoré is known for his pace and rapid acceleration. He’s perhaps one of the most physical wingers, and at full speed, it is hard for defenders to stop him without a foul.

In 2018, Traoré was ranked first in the Premier League in the number of completed dribbles (11.87). However, his lack of consistency meant he never realized his full potential. 

9. Wilfried Zaha

Zaha spent the majority of his career with Crystal Palace. The Ivorian winger is still one of the best dribblers, and when getting a ball he can easily pass several defenders with ease.

Despite frequent talks to move clubs, Zaha has remained with Crystal Palace. Currently, he is loaned to Lyon but does not get much playing time. 

8. Arjen Robben

The former Dutch international is one of the most creative players in football. With his signature left-foot shot, every player knows what he will do next, but it is almost impossible to stop him.

Robben’s speed and intelligence helped him earn a status as one of the best wingers of all time. However, on occasion, he became injury-prone and struggled in the later years of his career. 

7. Franck Ribéry

The Robben-Ribéry duo was a nightmare for every team at their peak. Alongside his technique, vision, and passing, Ribéry was exceptional in dribbling. For me, he is the type of player making an impression every time he gets the ball.

Similar to Robben, he used to cut inside, take on free space, and exploit weaknesses in the defence. Even when losing his speed, Ribéry was still feared by his rivals. 

6. Andrés Iniesta

Iniesta can be called a synonym of elegance. and there are numerous reasons why. The Spanish midfielder was known for his passes and ability to take the ball and trick several players at once.

In Guardiola’s Barcelona, Andrés was a key figure and effectively opened up spaces for his teammates. When watching him, you’ll understand what a composed player who can speed up and dribble when necessary looks like. 

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

In later years, Cristiano Ronaldo became a center-forward despite starting as a winger. However, few remember how good he was at Manchester United. With his powerful speed, athleticism, and pace, Ronaldo was unstoppable in the Premier League.

The first few years in Real Madrid were also reminiscent of old Ronaldo. However, with time he adapted to a new role and became a goalscoring machine. 

4. Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard will certainly be remembered as one of Chelsea’s greatest players. The Belgian international gave us exciting moments. The first thing that probably comes to my mind in terms of dribbling is his goal against Arsenal. He went through several defenders as if they did not exist.

Hazard’s fabulous dribbling, combined with his flair and creativity, helped him take on several defenders. Unfortunately, after moving to Real Madrid, he had fitness problems and eventually retired in 2023. 

3. Neymar

Neymar’s case is an example of how talent can be wasted. When he first made headlines in Brazil, everyone was sure he was going to play big football. 

Neymar’s first touch, skills, and dribbling are out of this world. His famous rainbow flick troubled numerous opponents. Alongside Messi and Suárez, he formed a ferocious trio. Unfortunately, after leaving Barcelona, he was disturbed by injuries and never fully recovered. 

2. Ronaldinho

If there’s anyone who can relate to the term Joga Bonito, Ronaldinho would have no competitors. Whenever he entered the field, you knew it was going to be a show full of unique feints, movements, and tricks.

At some point in his career, Gaúcho was the best player in the world. He received pure enjoyment from playing football. Technical skills, flair, creativity – all that you can think of was credited to one player. 

1. Lionel Messi

Leo Messi revolutionized football in various ways. The Argentine magician is in the GOAT debate, and hardly anyone can disagree. The Barcelona legend has gifted so many unforgettable moments that it’s impossible not to have him on the top of our list.

I grew up watching Messi’s play. You see him running with the ball, and the only way to stop him is to commit a foul. We can remember dozens of goals from his repertoire where he single-handedly took on the defenders, dribbled past them, and scored. Leo is indeed an undisputed number one for me.