Barcelona’s emerging talent, Lamine Yamal, is making waves in the football community this season with his extraordinary dribbling skills. At just 17 years of age, he is poised to conclude the 2024-25 season as the leader in successful dribbles across Europe’s top five leagues. It’s truly remarkable to see a player of his youth performing at such a high level—anticipating what could be an iconic career unfolding right before us.
So far this season, Yamal has recorded an impressive 138 successful dribbles in La Liga, significantly outpacing his rivals. His accomplishments extend beyond Spain, as he leads in major leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Serie A. This is particularly notable when considering how his performance compares to football legends such as Lionel Messi and Neymar, who have set benchmarks in the sport.
Lamine Yamal’s 2024-25 Dribbling Stats
Yamal has consistently dazzled on the pitch for Barcelona, amassing 138 successful dribbles over 31 matches—averaging one successful dribble approximately every 18 minutes. For those tracking the stats, he currently sits ahead of Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, the only other player in Europe’s major leagues to surpass the 100 mark this season, coming in at 102. Yet, Doku’s higher dribble efficiency is worth noting—he achieves a successful dribble every 13 minutes, although he has played fewer overall minutes.
However, Yamal’s exuberance and determination aren’t without shortcomings. He has attempted a remarkable 275 dribbles, which leads all players in top European leagues. This number also translates to 137 unsuccessful dribbles, resulting in a success rate that hovers slightly above 50%. Though commendable, it’s important to recognize that bypassing defenders can be a challenging endeavor—even for the best. In contrast, Doku boasts a 55% success rate, while other notable players like Mohammed Kudus and Vinicius Junior have success rates of 44% and 43%, respectively.
With four matches remaining in Barcelona’s La Liga campaign, if Yamal maintains his current pace, reaching 150 successful dribbles is not merely a dream but an attainable goal. To provide perspective, last season’s leader, Kudus, managed only 124 dribbles, whereas Messi’s highest tally in recent memory during his final season with Barcelona was 159.
Lionel Messi’s Peak Dribbling Stats
On the subject of Messi, his dribbling ability is almost legendary. The 2010-11 season stands out as Messi’s pinnacle for dribbling, where he achieved 186 successful dribbles—an accomplishment that played a significant role in securing both the La Liga title and a Champions League trophy for Barcelona. That season, he also completed another 79 successful dribbles in just 13 Champions League matches, boasting an impressive 65% success rate.
While comparing Yamal’s stats to Messi’s may seem intimidating, it’s essential to highlight that Yamal is still in the early stages of his career. Already, at 17, he has amassed 42 successful dribbles in the Champions League this season, on top of his La Liga achievements. Messi didn’t reach his peak numbers until he hit 23, meaning Yamal is ahead of the curve for his age.
If Yamal surpasses the 150 successful dribble mark in La Liga, it would reflect a solid average in comparison to Messi’s peak seasons. This speaks volumes about Yamal’s potential—one that can certainly evolve further with experience and guidance.
Neymar’s Peak Dribbling Stats
Yamal has expressed his admiration for Neymar, crediting the Brazilian as a significant influence on his playing style. Recalling the wonder he felt watching Neymar live as a child, Yamal said, “Neymar has always been my idol. He’s a star, a football legend.” This fearless mindset is evident every time Yamal takes possession of the ball, showcasing his intrinsic drive to challenge defenders, reminiscent of Neymar’s bold runs.
While Neymar may not boast the same longevity in dribbling stats as Messi, he certainly displayed prowess when fit. In his debut season at PSG in 2017-18, Neymar completed 142 successful dribbles in just 20 league appearances, averaging a successful dribble every 12 minutes with an impressive 66% success rate. Overall, Neymar ranks among the top ten productive dribbling seasons, alongside Messi and Eden Hazard.
Though Yamal is making strides toward matching those impressive figures, Neymar’s 168 successful dribbles from 30 La Liga matches in the 2016-17 season may take more time to achieve. Nonetheless, if anyone possesses the talent and potential to do so, it’s undoubtedly Yamal.
In conclusion, Lamine Yamal is an electrifying talent who is carving out his place in football history. While parallels with Messi and Neymar can appear daunting, Yamal is on an upward path, honing his skills and embracing the challenges that lie ahead. If he continues on this trajectory, we may very well be witnessing the rise of the next great dribbler in football. The key will be how he channels that potential and matures into a truly game-changing player.
Image Source: sbonsi / Shutterstock
