Messi tops World Cup dribbling chart after dazzling display against England

Lionel Messi has climbed to the top of the dribbling rankings at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after another masterclass inspired Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England in the semi-finals.

The Argentina captain displaced Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal following a commanding display in Atlanta, where he tormented England’s defence with his close control, creativity and movement before providing the assists for Enzo Fernández’s equaliser and Lautaro Martínez’s stoppage-time winner.

Official FIFA World Cup statistics show the 39-year-old completed nine successful dribbles against England, taking his tournament tally to 24 and moving him ahead of Yamal, who has registered 22.

Messi’s latest performance further underlined his enduring influence at the highest level, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continuing to dictate matches despite approaching the twilight of his career.

Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior occupies third place on the list with 16 successful dribbles, while Germany’s Jamal Musiala and France’s Michael Olise are tied in fourth with 15 each.

Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza follows with 14 successful dribbles, the same tally as France captain Kylian Mbappé, while England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Paraguay’s Julio Enciso have each completed 13.

Top dribblers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 24

Lamine Yamal (Spain) – 22

Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) – 16

Jamal Musiala (Germany) – 15

Michael Olise (France) – 15

Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) – 14

Kylian Mbappé (France) – 14

Jude Bellingham (England) – 13

Julio Enciso (Paraguay) – 13

Messi will have the opportunity to extend his lead when Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, where he will come up against second-placed Yamal in a showdown between the tournament’s two most effective dribblers.

The final also presents another opportunity for the Argentine captain to crown an outstanding tournament with back-to-back World Cup titles, having once again demonstrated that his ability to influence the biggest matches remains undiminished.