youre right ... most people did not realize how good Ronaldo was on the ball in control and dribble - simply becuase he was developed in Europe = play efficient and less showboating. I saw Ronaldo did many great techniques: 360 deg turn, Steps over, multi steps over, elastico, reverse elastico, nutmeg, shoulder tricks, bla bla ... ON TOP, Ronaldo did INVENT some moves like "the Ronaldo" and "Ronaldo chop" ... I only saw Neymar did the "Ronaldo" and no one else, including Ronaldinho because it took a great agility in both feet. I saw some did the Ronaldo chop : Del Piero, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Torres, Neymar and even Messi. The things Ronaldo was so good and effective in dribble because he could do with both feet and especialy AT HIGH SPEED I remember one Italian reporter (RAI) commented during his reign at Inter 98: "wow, you need a microscope in order to zoom and appreciate what Ronaldo did with the ball during his powerful run" - As it happened SO FAST
The greatest dribbling move of all in soccer is Maradona's "Octopuss" where he toys with two or three defenders simultaneously by putting the ball out of their reach, all in a space of a few square feet. Now you see it, now you don't.
This becomes apparent if you see many of the highlight videos of Ronaldo's skills on You Tube. For example, in one instance, while playing for Inter, he is running with the ball at top speed. As soon as he approaches the box, a defender tries to tackle him. Without reducing his speed, in the same motion, Ronaldo performs an elastico. Now, the following video shows an elastico move that was chosen by Zidane (during a chat with Christophe Dugarry) as the best elastico he has ever seen. Zidane said, "mind you, Ronaldo did this against Nesta of all people, not my grandmother." Zidane explained how players like George Weah, Ronaldinho etc. have performed this trick but not during "movement," implying that they did it from a static position. He then said Ronaldo is the only player he has seen who could do this trick while running with the ball. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?...Famous Elastico Vs Lazio - YouTube[/ame]
Here it is: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUZ9w2zsHYo&feature=share"]Ronaldo Famous Elastico Vs Lazio - YouTube[/ame]
In this video, at about 3.32 min, Ronaldo pulls off an elastico plus a nutmeg while running with the ball. I have never seen anyone else do stuff like these. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpQqpm8foGw&feature=bf_prev&list=WL1C47ECCF23D118BE"]RONALDO Fenomeno ? NEW - YouTube[/ame]
What a load of bollicks! The best dribbler isn't even in the poll, George Best wasn't just the best dribbler, he was the best and most naturally gifted player ever and lets not forget , he didn't take drugs that made him quicker/better he took a drug which made him slower and he was still far far to good........................... Now shut up
So you think Pele, Garrincha Cruijff and Ronaldo were quick/better with "drug"? I do not take drug, but I do "DRINK" (like G>Best) to feel "HIGH"
I like 2 of your choices, Pele & Cruyff For me and I can 'only' go back as far as 1966, it comes down to Pele, Cruyff, Maradona and George Best I would take Pele out of that firstly, great as he was, his game was more about power and a great heading ability for a not very tall man. Cruyff was a very fast elegant runner with the ball. Maradona was superb, strong as an ox on the ball, but has to be dismissed because his power was often coming from a bottle of pills, Cheater. Georgie Best had such balance, either foot, no one trick pony, fast, lost the ball got it back, his handicap was of course that he boozed full time from an early age, that is a drug which slows you up, not speeds you up and his best days were never seen. Pele is said by many to be the best but he always said no its George Best. I guess because he never played in a World Cup Final many don't recognize him, but that's life!
Pele was not only about power and heading. He was better than George Best in every aspect of football. Don't kid yourself.
No Georgie Best in this poll?? Laughable for him not to be included amongst the best. Also, Gazza was quite the dribbler himself.
I said Pele is More about power and heading , this thread is ,'Who is the Best dribbler of all time' IMHO that's Georgie Best, also I believe him to be the most naturally gifted player of all time, Pele said so to! I'm just grateful to have seen him play, If TV coverage was as extensive then, as it is today, then more people would appreciate his football genius.
While I agree that G Best was among the greats with "gifted skills" , you can keep your perception as if he is the "best dribbler" - The others have their own too. It's a crime not to include Best in this thread ... he would very well make in TOP3-5
[There's quite a few other British & European on-the-ball "artisans" that should at least be contenders for this list IMO: Dragan Dzajic, Sir Tom Finney, Billy Liddell, Wilf Mannion, Mathias Sindelaar, Fritz Walter, etc., etc.]
Oh Yes, Wilf Mannion .but may I show something of 'my man' to our over seas friends [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-A6tKbKexE&feature=related"]George Best "The legend will never die" - YouTube[/ame]
[Sir Stanley Matthews was a miss on my part; but only because I thought that he was already on the list/poll...]
Well, if we are talking about pure dribblers, then Denilson (from Real Betis) has to be in the list. He couldn't do much else and therefore wasn't nearly as successful as his talent demanded him to be. But, he could dribble like no other. Other notable omissions from this list include Best, Okocha, Matthews, Figo, Giggs, Baggio. Romario and Puskas were great too, especially at dribbling inside the box (a very rare skill).
My father claims George Best and Eusebio were the best he has ever seen in person (including Pele and Maradona)
haha - he does. Best dribbler i have seen was Maradona - he had incredible balance....but my old man has been watching religiously since 1958 or so...if he says George Best or Eusobio i take his word for it
Best v. Maradona: [I've pointed this out before: one thing you have to remember when comparing say Best & "M10" (especially in most of the "high-light reels) is that they're on-the-ball in different sections of the pitch, facing different types of defenders/opponents, etc. I don't want you to think that I'm saying that you're mistaken: I'm simply pointing out that in-game reality...]
Re: Best v. Maradona: of course - i've seen Maradona in a live game - George Best only through highlights. My dad saw them both and says Best and Eusobio were amazing in person - both very natural and fluid dribblers. From the highlights, Best looks amazingly fluid (the ball is just an extension of his foot) I wish I could have seen some of the legends in a live setting.
Re: Best v. Maradona: Of course both Best and Eusebio were great players. However in "dribbling" only, G.Best could have some thing to say to Maradona, agree. Eusebio was not as "techniques" and "fluid" as Maradona surely. Remember Maradona were performing in the era of "BEST DeFENDERS" all time surrounding him and challenge him= I did NOT see same QUALITY challenge to best and Eusebio. WATCH close: Maradona dribble > Best > Eusebio