Qatar 2022: Messi, Neymar, Boufal, Leão, Sané: these dribblers will light up the World Cup

Leo Messi (Argentine)

• Number of dribbles this season : 84
• His success rate : 56%
• Why him ?

“La Pulga” remains the absolute reference. Even if his game has evolved a lot and he no longer has quite the same liveliness as a few years ago, the Argentinian continues to wreak havoc thanks to a characteristic that he will keep forever: his pressing frequency. This strength allows him to remain unpredictable for defenders and continue to make differences in small spaces. No player has attempted more dribbles than him (84) among the five major European championships. And none has succeeded more than him (47).

• His best dribble : The outer hook or the double contact

Difficult to decide. With his frequency of support, the Argentinian has several weapons in small spaces. If the double contact is probably his most destructive dribble to eliminate a player, his left outside hook to open an angle of strike, when he prowls at 18 meters.

Neymar (Brazil)

• Number of dribbles this season : 65
• His success rate : 35,4%
• Why him ?

The Brazilian has become a real playmaker, in club and even more in selection. But his technical palette is still the richest in the world. This is the reason why he remains the leader of the Auriverde selection in this area, even in a workforce that does not lack specialists (Vinicius Jr, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha…). He is still a guarantor of the show after having relieved himself of a small part of his imagination for more efficiency.

• His best dribble : The top of the hat

Neymar is never as dangerous as when he is launched. And he can do just about anything with his feet. His favorite dribble is the stepover. But his ability to pass sombreros does more damage since he is evolving into a more axial role. In particular on transition phases, where he is able to eliminate a player while changing direction to open the game. Florentino Luis, who suffered two in the space of a few minutes during the match between Benfica and PSG, is well placed to talk about it.

Sofiane Boufal (Morocco)

• Number of dribbles this season : 60
• His success rate : 45%
• Why him ?

The Angevin has long been an exception in the “Big Five”, since he has competed with the best dribblers on the continent by playing in a club fighting to stay in Ligue 1. Paradoxically, he has been somewhat eclipsed in recent years. weeks, by another Moroccan UFO of the SCO of Angers, Azzedine Ounahi. But by his status in selection, his lived experience, he will be one of the men to watch during this World Cup.

• His best dribble : The inner hook

What makes Sofiane Boufal so comfortable dribbling is her last touch before passing her vis-à-vis. The Atlas Lion is capable of hooking the opposing player just before his intervention, when stationary or in the middle of a race. Visually, it looks simple. In practice, it is not. But the gesture is devilishly effective.

Rafael Leão (Portugal)

• Number of dribbles this season : 55
• His success rate : 43,6%
• Why him ?

He was, until the arrival of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in Naples, the most spectacular player in Serie A. Technically, the Portuguese stands out, since he is an excellent dribbler despite an imposing size (1.88m). With the Selecçao das Quinas, he has a golden opportunity to seize on the left side of the attack, in the absence of Diogo Jota. Especially since the team of Fernando Santos will surely need his qualities to become less predictable on the offensive level.

• His best dribble : The change of direction

Leão is not the thinnest of the five men on this list. On the other hand, he is certainly the strongest in the sprint. In Milan, the Portuguese often repeats a pattern that allows him to eliminate one or more players before opening up space. Thanks to the control he is able to have with the outside of his right foot and his power over the first few meters, the former LOSC player has got into the habit of taking his vis-à-vis in a direction , even if it means shutting oneself in… before going around it and setting off again in the opposite direction. Not academic. Energy-intensive. But spectacular and very useful for a player like him.

Leroy Sané (Germany)

• Number of dribbles this season : 40
• His success rate : 60%
• Why him ?

He was a twirling winger, he became a hard-hitting attacking midfielder. Line-eater at City, the German international has seen his role evolve under the orders of Julian Nagelsmann. The Bayern Munich technician uses his technical quality and physical power to trigger the offensives. With the Mannschaft it is mainly used to the left of the attacking trident but is now able to be much more vertical. Confusing.

• His best dribble : The feint

With his speed, the quality of his first touch and his left foot, the German most often makes the difference with his body play, especially when he is called upon with his back to goal. Thanks to his feints and his short supports, he quickly finds good passing or shooting angles.

And also…

Ousmane Dembele, Nico Williams, Dodi Lukebakio, Jeremiah Frimpong, Azzedine Ounahi, Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka,