There is a growing feeling that fun is fading out of football. The legendary Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa lamented the sport's supposed 'decline' in 2024, claiming that the spectacle "is becoming less and less attractive".

Manchester City's all-conquering ex-manager Pep Guardiola, a noted Bielsa disciple, has been blamed by some for this perceived drop-off. Guardiola's positional, possession-heavy system serves as the inspiration for coaches across the globe. A common misconception is that this style turns mercurial individuals into mindless cogs in a winning machine, but he has made it his mission to sign talented dribblers.

For all the doom and gloom, there is a fleet of wondrous weavers scattered across the elite level. You just have to know where to look. Here's a rundown of the players who are railing against the misdirected idea of football's decline right now.

Ranking Factors

• Quantity - The number of dribbles attempted and completed is a key factor when judging the world's best.
• Level - Players who can dribble around elite defenders in the toughest competitions available have been ranked higher.
• Style - Beyond the cold, hard numbers, the most entertaining dribblers wriggle past their opponents with a balance of skill and speed.

25 Estevao

Chelsea

The latest Brazilian wonderkid to take South American football by storm, Estevao is certainly one to watch. In his debut season at Chelsea, the young winger showed several flashes of brilliance, including against Barcelona in the Champions League. Now, he's battling to make an impact under Xabi Alonso.

Fleet-footed and with an incredible change of pace that makes marking him one-v-one such a difficult prospect, Estevao has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, and you can only imagine what he might become in the future.

24 Antoine Semenyo

Man City

One of the most exciting wingers in England, Antoine Semenyo was always destined to make it to the top and it was no surprise when Manchester City came calling.

The former Bournemouth man took little time to get going at the Etihad, scoring seven goals in 17 league games in his debut run with the side from January until the end of last season. Since then, it's become clear that he's now a key man.

Able to strike the ball with both feet and carry it long distances too - Semenyo is undoubtedly one of the best dribblers in the league.

23 Nico Paz

Como

It is a testament to Nico Paz's ability that some of the biggest clubs were after his signature before he put pen to paper at Real Madrid and headed back on loan to Como for one more season.

Paz has been lighting up the Serie A under Cesc Fabregas, and looks tailor-made to become a fan-favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu when he does eventually make the move, combining his excellent first touch with the exciting trickery that Manchester United saw first-hand in the Champions League.

22 Mika Godts

PSG

If you've not heard the name Mika Godts, then go and watch his goal against NAC Breda from April 2026. It was an excellent individual effort, which summed up his talent in full. After such an outstanding campaign for Ajax, it came as no shock when the winger earned a move to PSG.

Yet to even reach his full potential, there's every chance that Godts becomes a world-beater in France, just like so many players have done before him.

21 Pedri

Barcelona

The fulcrum and heartbeat of Barcelona's midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong - who himself can count himself unlucky not to make it onto this list given his press resistance - Pedri is the absolute epitome of a La Masia-educated star. Quick feet, quick thinking and ability to handle the ball in tight spaces, good luck in trying to take the ball off the little Spaniard.

Whether it's driving with the ball through midfield and setting up attacks, or receiving the ball under pressure and turning away from his man, Pedri can do it all when it comes to having the ball at his feet.

20 Luis Diaz

Bayern Munich

As Liverpool fell apart in the 2025/26 season and Arne Slot headed for the exit door, Luis Diaz thrived away from Anfield. Since joining Bayern Munich, he enjoyed some of the best spells of his career, acting as a classic inside forward capable of beating markers with ease and finding the back of the net.

The former Liverpool man has more than earned his place on this list and, in some ways, is unfortunate to miss out on an even higher ranking due to a slow start to the 2026/27 campaign.

19 Morgan Rogers

Chelsea

One of the fastest rising English talents right now, Morgan Rogers has developed into a superb player since getting his chance at Aston Villa and then joining Chelsea.

A former Manchester City academy product, Rogers' skill as a dribbler is one of a powerhouse, bulldozing his way through the middle of the park and then timing the pass into his centre-forward.

Part of one of the most electrifying front threes in the Premier League with Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, Rogers may even go down as one of the best signings in recent memory, despite his place as the most expensive in English football history.

18 Arda Guler

Real Madrid

The first of four Real Madrid names on this list, Arda Guler is arguably one of the most underrated players in Europe. The Turkish star is among the best creators in the world and that stems from his passing ability, as well as his ability to create space through intricate dribbles.

If anyone deserves a bigger place in the spotlight, it is the player who is quickly becoming a key man under Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu.

17 Bradley Barcola

Liverpool

There's good reason why Liverpool splashed out around £123m to sign Bradley Barcola in the summer of 2026. They set their sights on a direct, quick winger who's also capable of chipping in with goal involvements. The Frenchman is exactly that and already has a hat-trick to his name at the Merseyside club.

He does his best work in high-intensity sides who counter with speed, making manager Andoni Iraola the perfect match at Anfield. Should he reach his best form, then Barcola could surge up this list.

16 Anthony Gordon

Barcelona

There were some question marks around Anthony Gordon's ability to adapt to life at Barcelona following a big-money move from Newcastle United. Since then, however, he has answered those questions in emphatic fashion, putting any doubts to bed once and for all.

He is proving to be a crucial player for Hansi Flick, linking up with the rest of Barcelona's stars to become one of the best dribblers that world football has to offer.