Since 1966, Austin Okocha, a former captain of the Super Eagles, has had the most dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup game.
The former Paris Saint-Germaine midfielder, who produced a total of 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, achieved an 83 percent success rate, according to an Opta poll.
With 13 dribbles each, Jairzinho of Brazil and Paul Gascoigne of England are tied for second place.
While Gazza dazzled with his prowess against Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup hosted by Italy, Jairzinho recorded his feat against Uruguay at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Sandro Mazzola, an Italian, is fourth on the list. At the 1974 tournament in Germany, the great former Inter attacker made 12 successful dribbles against Poland, averaging 75%.
Mazzola won four Serie A championships throughout his playing career in 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1971 in addition to two European Cups (1964 and 1965) and two Intercontinental Cups (1964 and 1965).
Fifth on the list is German winger Reinhard Libuda, who recorded 12 successful take-ons during Germany’s match against Bulgaria at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
In a World Cup game, the trio of Johan Cruyff, the late Diego Maradona, and Eusebio also recorded 12 dribbles.
When the tournament was held in Germany in 1974, Cruyff had 12 successful dribbles against Sweden, while Maradona had the same number against England in 1986 and Eusebio had them against Hungary in 1974.
According to Opta, in a World Cup game, the quintet of Jean Tigana, Maradona, Jose Valencia, and Lionel Messi also made 11 successful dribbles.
Tigana made 11 dribbles in a 1982 World Cup match against Austria, and Maradona made 11 tackles in the same match against Austria.
Similar to Lionel Messi’s 11 dribbles against Mexico at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Jose Valencia also had 11 against Hungary in the 1978 tournament.
In contrast, during two World Cup games against Brazil and France, Eden Hazard recorded 10 successful dribbles.
