The latest successful dribbles chart paints a clear picture. According to the provided data, Lionel Messi sits first with 25 successful dribbles. Lamine Yamal is close behind on 22, with Vinicius Júnior third on 16. Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise share fourth on 15 each. It is a crisp snapshot of the tournament’s best ball carriers.

Messi leads the dribble race

Messi’s total of 25 sets the standard and gives him a three-dribble cushion over second place. That gap matters because it shows repeat success rather than a single hot game. It also separates him by nine from third, which underlines control against tight coverage. When he beats a man, attacks breathe and passing lanes open. Defenders know what is coming, yet stopping it is another story.
The number tells us that Argentina’s captain is not only creative but also persistent. He carries the ball through pressure and turns stagnant phases into threats. He wins free kicks, buys time for runners, and keeps the ball when others might lose it. In a tournament where margins are thin, that reliability changes match flow.

Lamine Yamal keeps pace for Spain

At 22 successful dribbles, Yamal is firmly in pursuit. Being three off the top in such a demanding competition is no small note. His total hints at repeat take‑ons and the confidence to try again after contact. Spain’s structure often asks wide players to progress the ball, and he clearly embraces it. He stretches fullbacks, then cuts inside to connect with midfield.
Those runs force defensive shifts that free teammates between the lines. A defender stepping early risks being turned; a defender waiting risks a cross. This dual threat is exactly what the number 22 suggests. He is not just a spark. He is a constant outlet that resets Spain’s tempo in the final third.

Vinicius Júnior stays dangerous from the wing

Vinicius ranks third with 16 successful dribbles, and the figure fits his direct style. Defenders must respect his first step, which creates room for cutbacks or low crosses. Sixteen may trail the leaders, but it still places him comfortably among the elite. That count also signals a reliable route to break a press and carry Brazil up the pitch.
He often attracts two markers, which inflates value beyond the action itself. When one player draws two, someone else is free. That is where Brazil’s combinations switch on. The stat line shows that his take‑ons are not one-off highlights, but a steady pattern that keeps back lines honest.

Musiala and Olise share fourth spot

Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise each sit on 15 successful dribbles, and the tie is a neat study in different routes to the same total. Musiala’s changes of direction open pockets between midfield and defense. Olise is all about sharp touches on the flank and quick releases. Both keep defenders guessing and both maintain control in traffic.
The shared number speaks to discipline as much as flair. Fifteen is not accidental; it reflects repeatable actions and smart choices about when to go. It also compresses the table, with only ten dribbles separating first from fifth. That tight spread tells us there is quality across the top five, not just at the summit.

What these numbers tell us about the tournament

Dribbling success is a territory stat. It moves the game from safe zones into danger zones without needing a long pass. A leader at 25 suggests a player who can build attacks on his own, while totals in the mid-teens show dependable progression. The mix of South American and European names also shows tactical variety. Some teams press high, others sit, yet these five still find routes forward.
Sofascore tracks successful dribbles in real time, which makes it easier to follow how momentum shifts during a match. Fans often pair this metric with the Sofascore Rating to weigh overall impact. A high dribble count does not guarantee the highest Rating, but it usually signals influence on territory and tempo. When the ball carrier draws fouls or frees a runner, the whole attack benefits. These five are doing that job as well as anyone in this World Cup.

The top of this list is packed with players who can break a game open with a single touch. From Messi’s control to Yamal’s fearlessness, from Vinicius’ bursts to the balance of Musiala and Olise, the trend is clear. Ball carriers still shape modern football. Track their next steps live on Sofascore.