Messi attempted more dribbles per match than anyone else at Brazil 2014…
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These five superstars, who competed in at least three matches, completed more successful dribbles per match than anyone else at the World Cup this summer, courtesy of WhoScored.
5) Hueng-Min Son – South Korea – 4.5 dribblers per game
The pinup boy of South Korean football, Son proved last season with Bayer Leverkusen that he has the potential to develop into a genuinely top level player in European football. At the World Cup, his teammates couldn’t perform to his level, and Son’s men crashed out at the group stages.
4) Arjen Robben – Holland – 4.9 dribbles per game
Undeniably one of the best players at this summer’s World Cup, Robben’s Dutch side crashed out on penalties at the semi-final stage, losing to Argentina. Robben though had been dynamic and dangerous until then, notching three goals and registering one assist as well. Unfortunately, his dribbles often ended in a rather theatrical fall…
3) Angel Di Maria – Argentina – 5 dribbles per game
The South American flyer had his tournament cut short with injury, but scored an excellent winner against Switzerland in the Last 16. Despite being deployed in a central midfield role rather than on the wing, Di Maria was still happy to pick up the ball and run with it.
2) Alexis Sanchez – Chile – 5.5 dribblers per game
Sanchez’s Chileans were excellent during the Group Stages, and his side were tremendously unlucky to lose to Brazil A.E.T in the Last 16. The world-class forward scored twice, assisted one, and has earned a blockbuster move to Arsenal this summer.
1) Lionel Messi – Argentina – 6.6 dribbles per game
Messi won the World Cup’s Golden Ball, awarded to its best player, and attempted more dribblers per match than any other player. Despite this, and his four goals early on – he failed to reach his lofty heights, and ultimately saw his side fall short in the final against the Germans.
