Top 10 players with most dribbles in World Cup history

Argentina players dominate the list by taking the top two spots.

Dribble in football defines how much a player is skilled in ball control, running and his surroundings. A good dribbler can be of great value to the team because a good dribbler attracts the opposite players with his runs freeing other teammates and thus creating spaces. There are many players who can dribble ball against opponents but there are only some who can deliver dribbles with both quantity and quality. Having such players in your teams grant you an extra edge over the opposite side.

The data is from 1966 onwards. The data is credited to Sofascore.com.

Let’s look at the 10 players with the most dribbles in World Cup history.

10. Angel Di Maria

Dribbles - 44

The Argentine winger is 10th on the list with 44 dribbles in his World Cup stint which began in 2010. He is an important part of the squad and along with Messi, is responsible for Argentina’s attack.

9. Sandro Mazzola

Dribbles - 44

The Italian and Inter midfielder has played in three World Cups (1966,1970 and 1974). He has 44 dribbles to his name. He reached the World Cup final in 1970 only to be defeated by Pele-led Brazil in the match.

8. Roberto Donadoni

Dribbles - 47

The Italian international was part of the Italian squad in the World Cup in 1990 and 1994. Roberto Donadoni did 47 dribbles during his career in World Cup. He is a unique midfielder and was able to play at every midfield position be it left, right or centre. He reached the World Cup final in 1994 but was again defeated by Brazil in the final.

7. Gheorghe Hagi

Dribbles - 53

Considered the best Romanian Player of all time, Hagi was called “The Maradona of the Carpathians”. He registered 53 dribbles in three World Cups (1990,1994 and 1998). He was part of the Romanian side which knocked out Argentina in the Round of 16 of the World Cup in 1994.

6. Arjen Robben

Dribbles - 56

The Dutch and Bayern Munich legend is on the list of 56 dribbles in World Cups in 2006, 2010 and 2014. He was an important player of the Dutch squad which reached the Finals of the World Cup in 2010 and the semi-finals in 2014. He was lethal with his cut and shots.

5. Mario Kempes

Dribbles - 61

The Argentine legend won the country’s maiden World Cup title in 1978. Kempes was a phenomenal centre-forward. He played in three World cups in 1974, 1978 and 1982. He has 61 dribbles to his name in his World cup career.

4. Eden Hazard

Dribbles - 65

The dribbler from Stamford Bridge has proved his dribbling skills on the World Cup stage. The Belgian captain has played in three World Cups (2014,2018 and 2022) having registered 65 dribbles so far. At one point in his career, he was considered among the top dribblers, but things are not looking on his way, especially after Belgium’s elimination from the World Cup in the Group Stage.

3. Jairzinho

Dribbles - 78

The Brazilian dribbler was part of the Brazil squad in three World cups in 1966, 1970 and 1974. He has 78 dribbles to his name. He won the World Cup in 1970 scoring a goal and providing an assist in the Final match against Italy.

2. Diego Maradona

Dribbles - 106

One of the greatest of not only his times but the history of football, Diego Maradona was a beast with the ball. The “Goal of the Century” scored by Maradona after dribbling through almost half of the English squad in the 1986 World Cup Semis is enough to prove his skills. Maradona has got 106 dribbles to his name in the World Cups. He won the World Cup in 1986. He played in the 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

1. Lionel Messi

Dribbles -120

If there’s any player who could beat Maradona in dribbles, he is Lionel Messi. The Argentine international has defined the footballing decade with his dribbles. A complete player on the pitch, La Pulga has a monstrous record of 120 dribbles to his name. In his five World Cups participations (2006, 2010, 2014, 2014 and 2022) he managed to reach Finals once in 2014. The World Cup in Qatar is almost certainly his last and he is willing to go after the main prize, which most probably is his last.