As football writers, we’ve been watching the game’s development very carefully, and the skill of talented players is something that always enthrals fans. With their flair, inventiveness, and technical skill, these players transform games into spectacles, dribbling past opponents as if they don’t exist, performing daring stunts, and leaving us all in awe.
Based on their recent performance, statistics, and influence in elite competitions, we have compiled a list of the top 15 most skilled football players in the world. This is about the players who use their footwork and creativity to make the game beautiful, not just about goals or assists.
Every detail, statistic, recent performance, and context are included to support their ranking, which ranges from 15 to 1. Let’s get started.
15. Lyon’s Rayan Cherki
Football fans have been aware of Rayan Cherki for some time, and at the age of 21, he is beginning to realise his enormous potential. During the 2024–25 season, Cherki, who plays for Lyon in Ligue 1, has been a creative spark, frequently coming off the bench to alter games with his flair. According to Opta statistics, he has completed 1.7 dribbles per game in Ligue 1 this season, with a 53% success rate. Defenders have been embarrassed by his go-to moves, which include nutmegs, flicks, and routines. He also has a talent for doing the unexpected. He earned a standing ovation from the Lyon supporters in a February 2025 match against Bourgoin after completing five dribbles and setting up a goal with a cheeky backheel. Cherki’s raw skill is what puts him on this list, even though his 2.5 key passes per game also demonstrate his vision. His ceiling is extremely high, but he is only 15 because he is still raw.
14. Kvaratskhelia Khvicha (PSG)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a 24-year-old Georgian winger for Napoli, has been a fan favourite since his breakthrough 2022–2023 season and continues to produce magical moments in 2025. According to SofaScore, he is averaging 1.8 dribbles per game in Ligue 1 this season, with a 48% success rate. He is a nightmare for full-backs because of his quick feet and feints, and he frequently steps over to cut inside before launching a pass or shot. He scored a spectacular solo goal against Brest in the Champions League after completing six dribbles and using a series of body feints to get past three defenders. Despite having seven goals and six assists in 33 games this season, Kvaratskhelia’s flair—those daring moves that catch opponents off guard—is what gets him this position. Napoli’s erratic play has put him a little lower on the list, but there is no denying his talent.
13. AC Milan’s Rafael Leão
The 25-year-old winger Rafael Leão has the ability to drastically alter an AC Milan match. According to Opta, he is averaging 2.3 dribbles per game with a 58% success rate in the 2024–25 Serie A season. Leão is always a threat because of his strong dribbling, rapid stepovers, and quick burst of pace. Defenders are always caught off guard by his hallmark move, which involves feigning a cross, dropping his shoulder, and cutting inside. He beat two defenders in a Champions League encounter against Real Madrid in November 2024, completed three dribbles, and assisted on a goal with a precise cross. Despite his 41 appearances this season with 10 goals and 9 assists, Leão’s flair is what really sticks out. He is 13 because, despite his exceptional skill, he occasionally falters in crucial games.
12. Bayern Munich player Michael Olise
The 23-year-old Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024 and is already proving to be one of the most talented players in the league. According to SofaScore, he is averaging 2.1 dribbles per game in the Bundesliga this season, with a 59% success rate. Olise is unpredictable due to his skill as a dribbler; he may beat you on any side with a quick stepover or a body fake. In 40 games for Bayern in 2024–2025, Olise had 13 goals and 10 assists, but what really sets him apart is his creative play and fluid dribbling. He’s at 12 because he’s still getting used to Bayern’s system, but there’s no denying his flare.
11. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
Although he is now injured, 23-year-old Bukayo Saka had been Arsenal’s standout player for years and performed admirably until becoming hurt. According to Opta, he is averaging 2.1 dribbles per game with a 53% success rate in the 2024–25 Premier League season. Saka is a nightmare for defenders because of his deft footwork and deft dribbling, which frequently involves a subtle flick or change of direction. Saka’s skill on the wing is what gets him here, but his nine goals and thirteen assists in 24 games this season demonstrate his versatility. He’s at 11 because, despite his exceptional talent, he occasionally puts efficiency ahead of showmanship.
10. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah is still among the world’s most talented players at the age of 32, demonstrating that age is nothing more than a number. According to WhoScored, he is averaging 1.8 dribbles per game with a 49% success rate while playing for Liverpool under Arne Slot in the 2024–25 Premier League season. Salah is a problem for defenders because of his tight control and rapid direction changes, such as his trademark hip swivel. Despite having 25 games this season with 32 goals and 22 assists, Salah’s flare is what puts him in the discussion. Although his consistency is impressive, he is at number ten because younger players are beginning to outshine him in terms of raw skill.
9. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé
The 26-year-old Kylian Mbappé is frequently commended for his speed and finishing, but his skill with the ball is equally remarkable. According to Opta, he is currently averaging 2.5 dribbles per game with a 47% success rate for Real Madrid in the 2024–25 La Liga season. Mbappé has a talent for keeping the ball glued to his feet at full speed, and his rapid twists and minimal-touch dribbling allow him to easily beat defenders. He finished eight dribbles in a Super Cup Clasico versus Barcelona and scored a goal with a swift stepover that misdirected a defender. Despite having 31 goals and five assists in 41 games this season, Mbappé is ranked ninth due to his flair, or his ability to dance past opponents. His skill level is a little lower because he relies more on efficiency than outright deception.
8. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer
Under Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca, Cole Palmer, 22, has been the Premier League’s most impressive player in 2025. According to WhoScored, he dribbles 1.4 times on average per game and has a 53% success rate. Palmer makes space out of nothing with his deft manoeuvres and close control, such as a slight drop of the shoulder. Although Palmer has made 33 appearances this season and has 14 goals and 6 assists, his technical brilliance in the closing third is what really sets him apart. Even though he has amazing flare, he isn’t as showy as some of the wingers above him, which is why he is at 8.
7. At Bayer Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz
The 21-year-old creative genius Florian Wirtz plays midfield for Bayer Leverkusen. According to Opta, he is averaging 2.9 dribbles per game with a 54% success rate in the 2024–25 Bundesliga season. Wirtz is entertaining to watch because of his deft handling and complex manoeuvres in confined areas, such as fast twists and precise flips. After a series of feints, he finished six dribbles and assisted on a goal with a no-look ball in a Champions League encounter against Brest. In 39 games this season, Wirtz has 15 goals and 12 assists, but what really makes him stand out is his flare.
6. Barcelona’s Raphinha
In the 2024–25 season, Raphinha, 28, has elevated his game to new heights and established himself as a vital component of Barcelona’s offensive. According to WhoScored, he is averaging 1.5 dribbles per game in La Liga with a 53% success rate. He has routinely outwitted defenders thanks to his swift footwork and artistic flair—think surprising flips and spins. Following a cut that left Valverde on the ground, he executed two dribbles, scored two goals, and provided one assist during a game against Atletico Madrid. Despite having 27 goals and 19 assists in 42 games this season, Raphinha is ranked sixth due to his skill on the wing. Even if his technique is exceptional, it doesn’t quite approach the unadulterated originality of those in the top five.
5. The Paris Saint-Germain player Ousmane Dembélé
Unpredictability is the epitome of 27-year-old Ousmane Dembélé. According to Opta, he is averaging 1.6 dribbles per game with a 45% success rate while playing for PSG in the 2024–25 Ligue 1 season. With stepovers, roulettes, and nutmegs on each side, Dembélé outplays defenders, making him one of the game’s most deft players. He scored a goal in a Champions League encounter against Liverpool after completing seven dribbles in both legs. Despite having made 37 appearances this season with 30 goals and 6 assists, Dembélé’s technical skill is what sets him apart. He’s at number five because, although his final result can be erratic, his flair is excellent.
4. Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala
For Bayern Munich, 22-year-old Jamal Musiala is a magician in confined places. According to WhoScored, he is averaging 3.0 dribbles per game with a 57% success rate in the 2024–25 Bundesliga season. He can often elude defenders thanks to his fast twists, feints, and close control. He is also ambidextrous, which makes stopping him much more difficult. After a string of body feints that left three defenders behind, he finished five dribbles and scored a goal in a game against Frankfurt in February 2025. In 38 games this season, Musiala has 17 goals and 5 assists, but his inventiveness is what ranks him fourth.
3.Júnior Vinícius (Real Madrid)
Vinícius Júnior, 24, adds samba flair to Real Madrid with his low centre of gravity and quick pace. According to Opta, he is averaging 2.9 dribbles per game with a 47% success rate in the 2024–25 La Liga season. He is a continual threat thanks to his stepovers, flicks, and chops, and he has a talent for completely outplaying defenders. Vinícius has scored 19 goals and supplied 10 assists in 40 appearances this season, but his flair is what keeps him at number three in a Champions League encounter against Manchester City in February 2025. He completed five dribbles, scored a goal, and contributed an assist across the two legs of the Champions League. Because he occasionally makes poor decisions, he is slightly behind the top two.
2. Santos’ Neymar
Neymar remains one of the world’s most talented players at the age of 33. According to SofaScore, he is averaging 3.5 dribbles per game and has a 61% success rate with Santos in the 2024–2025 season. He has an unrivalled ability to keep the ball attached to his feet while moving quickly, and his characteristic moves—roulettes, stepovers, rainbow flicks, and chops—remain a sight to behold. In February 2025, he scored straight from a corner, contributed two assists, and went over a defender with a rainbow flip in a game against Internacional Limeira. Despite having three goals and three assists in six games this season, Neymar’s flair puts him at number two. His skill is timeless, but he isn’t number one because he isn’t playing in Europe’s top leagues anymore.
1. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal is currently the most talented player in the world, and he is only 17 years old. According to Opta, he is averaging 4.2 dribbles per game with a 55% success rate while playing for Barcelona in the 2024–25 La Liga season. He is fearless, taking on everyone in his path, and his tight ball control, fast stepovers, and smooth gliding past defenders have made him a phenomenon. He beat three defenders with a series of feints in a Super Cup final match against Real Madrid, completing five dribbles and scoring a goal. In 38 games this season, Yamal has 13 goals and 16 assists, but what really makes him stand out is his flare. He demonstrated his abilities to the globe via his performances in Euro 2024, when he was crowned Young Player of the Tournament. He is both the present and the future of football at 1.
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