Lamine Yamal confirmed as King of the dribble across Europe's top five leagues

 

Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal has firmly established himself as Europe’s best dribbler, both last season and at the start of the new campaign. At only 17 years old, Yamal attempted an incredible 407 dribbles in the 2024–25 season, leaving rivals far behind. Vinícius Júnior ranked second with 265, while Moses Simon followed closely with 261. Yamal also led in successful dribbles with 223, outshining Jeremy Doku, who had 161. According to BeSoccer Pro, he has carried this dominance straight into the new season, quickly reclaiming his title as the continent’s dribbling king.

In Barcelona’s opening matches against Mallorca and Levante, Yamal wore the iconic number 10 shirt for the first time and lived up to its reputation. Despite tight marking, he consistently beat his opponents and created chances through his fearless runs. Manu Sánchez offered resistance during the Levante clash, but Yamal eventually overcame him and destabilized their defense. His stats highlight a unique separation from his peers: Mason Greenwood ranks second in dribbles attempted with 24, but Yamal nearly doubles that figure with 41 after just two matches. His impact is not just statistical but also visible, bringing energy and unpredictability that Barcelona thrives on.

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What makes Yamal’s dribbling even more impressive is his efficiency. He has completed 24 of his 41 dribble attempts this season, giving him a success rate of almost 60 percent, significantly higher than his rivals. Greenwood has completed 13, Nico Williams 12, and Callum Hudson-Odoi 10, but Yamal’s numbers remain unmatched. A key detail is that many of his take-ons come from a standing start rather than a sprint, demonstrating his exceptional close control and quick changes of direction.

Beyond dribbling, Yamal’s overall attacking contribution stands out. He has contested 55 attacking duels in the first two games, winning 30  again the highest tally in Europe’s top five leagues. He has also recorded the most shots from outside the box with 11, comfortably ahead of Marseille’s Vitinha, who has six. Additionally, Yamal leads in touches inside the opposition penalty area with 18, surpassing Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe on 15. These figures show that his influence extends well beyond beating defenders, as he is constantly threatening goalkeepers and driving Barcelona’s attacks forward.

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Still in the early stages of his career, Yamal has quickly become one of Europe’s most feared players. If this form continues, his status as the “dribbling king” could soon evolve into something even greater.