Lionel Messi has climbed to the summit of the 2026 FIFA World Cup dribbling charts, overtaking Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to become the tournament’s most prolific dribbler.
The Argentina captain produced a vintage display in the semi-final against England, a tense 2-1 comeback win that underlined his enduring influence on the world stage. Operating between the lines and constantly drawing defenders out of position, Messi completed nine successful dribbles, repeatedly unpicking England’s defensive structure.
Beyond his ball-carrying, Messi also orchestrated Argentina’s attacking response after they fell behind. He set up both goals, first sliding a precise pass into the path of Enzo Fernández before releasing Lautaro Martínez for the decisive strike. The performance pushed him to 24 successful dribbles at the tournament, according to official FIFA statistics, moving him ahead of Yamal, who has 22.
Yamal, the breakout star of Spain’s campaign, had previously led the dribbling charts with his fearless runs from the right flank. His ability to beat markers in one-on-one situations has been central to Spain’s attacking identity, but Messi’s latest masterclass has shifted the narrative back toward the veteran.
Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior sits third with 16 successful dribbles, reflecting his role as the focal point of Brazil’s wide play. Germany’s Jamal Musiala and France’s Michael Olise share fourth place with 15 each, both showcasing close control and creativity in tight spaces.
The full list of leading dribblers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far is as follows
Lionel Messi – 24
Lamine Yamal – 22
Vinicius Junior – 16
Jamal Musiala – 15
Michael Olise – 15
Ibrahim Maza – 14
Kylian Mbappe – 14
Jude Bellingham – 13
Julio Enciso – 13
For Messi, now in the twilight of his career, leading a World Cup in dribbles is a striking reminder of how little his core strengths have faded. Surrounded by a younger generation of stars, he remains the benchmark for ball-carrying brilliance on football’s biggest stage.
