The former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha holds the record for most dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup match since 1966. PUNCH Sports supplement the reports
According to a survey by Opta, the former Paris Saint Germain midfielder made a total of 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 US World Cup, a total of 83%.
Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne are tied for second on the list with 13 dribbles respectively.
Jairzinho recorded his feat against Uruguay at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, while Gazza excelled with his skills against Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup hosted by Italy.
Italian Sandro Mazzola is fourth on the list. The legendary former Inter striker made 12 successful dribbles against Poland in the 1974 edition of the German championship, averaging 75%.
During his playing career, Mazzola won four Serie A titles in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971, two European Cups in 1964 and 1965 and two Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965.
German winger Reinhard Libuda is fifth on the list after recording 12 successful caps during Germany’s clash with Bulgaria at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
The trio of Johan Cruyff, the late Diego Maradona and Eusebio also managed 12 dribbles in a World Cup match.
Cruyff had 12 successful dribbles against Sweden in the 1974 tournament in Germany, while Maradona recorded the same number of dribbles against England in the 1986 edition as Eusebio did against Hungary in the 1966 edition.
The quartet of Jean Tigana, Maradona, Jose Valencia, Lionel Messi also made 11 successful dribbles in a World Cup match according to Opta.
In the 1982 World Cup against Austria, Tigana made 11 dribbles, and in the same tournament, Maradona also took 11 during the clash with Austria.
Jose Valencia also had 11 dribbles against Hungary in the 1978 edition as did Lionel Messi against Mexico in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard had 10 successful dribbles in two matches at the 2018 World Cup against Brazil and France.
