Best dribbler of all time ? Why, Rene Higuita, of Colombia, of course !!! He thought he was so damn good he kept running out of his goalposts... :-D
Not Rene, someone forgot to tell him... Another goalkeeper "dribbler-wannabwee" is Jorge Campos. Even in A'dam, last years' Ajax goalie - Fred Grim, did a "Campos", ran out of his goalposts with the ball, swift moves past a couple of players and headed for the MIDDLE of the field, then passed the ball to vd Meyde, who headed the ball to Wamberto (I think) and scored - in what was arguably the best highlight footage of last year's Dutch season !!
Well he seems to have learned how to dribble with his nose..... http://www.soccernet.com/global/news/2002/1011/20021011higuita.html
Interesting topic. I've never seen tapes/highlights of either Matthews or Best but have seen Garrincha on tape and he was amazing. But could he have done that against modern defenders? Of the players I've seen on TV or in person I'd rate Maradona the best dribbler. Behind him I would list Renato Gaucho, Cruyff, Zidane, Ortega and Riquelme in that order.
Ive seen some videos of him from the late 80's but not from the early Gremio years,and what i saw was a quite heavy tall guy who could dribble but nothing special.
Ok for some people dribble means running past a player with the ball on his feet,but for me a "dribble" is doing a trick to get through the opponent. Modern example: Zidane Basturk Ortega Figo and many more.. And i don't see Giggs doing like this players and i have seen him many many times.