The importance of a good first touch in football cannot be overstated, particularly for aspiring professionals. A subpar first touch can be a significant deterrent for football scouts, potentially dashing the dreams of hopeful players. While it’s true that not all professional footballers possess a exceptional first touch, some have honed this skill to perfection. Legends like Zidane, Dennis Bergkamp, Diego Maradona, Robinho, and Dimitar Berbatov are renowned for their exceptional touch. In this article, we’ll count down the top 10 football players with the best first touches in the world today.
1. Sofiane Boufal
In 2016, English club Southampton broke the transfer record by signing Sofiane Boufal, and it didn’t take long to see one of the reasons why.
Barely months after joining the club, the midfielder scored a screamer in his debut in the EFL, a goal which was only made possible by his first touch.
The Moroccan International now plays for Al Rayyan in the Qatari National League.
Still, a testament to his quality first touch is seen in YouTube videos made by international media outlets tagged How To Improve Your First Touch With Sofiane Boufal.
Sofiane Boufal boasts of an exquisite first touch. He is capable of receiving the ball in any area of the pitch and dribbling at pace.
2. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez is arguably the footballer with the best first touch in the planet right now.
The left-footed winger is capable of bringing the ball down with the faintest of touches.
The Algerian is a skillful footballer with a good first touch exudes confidence on the ball, showcasing his impeccable ball control and composure under pressure.
Riyad Mahrez left Manchester City last summer for Saudi Arabia, but at the age of 31, the Algerian winger has won everything possible, and it’s an interesting route his career has taken starting from the lower leagues before joining Leicester City.
He then went on to win the Premier League with Leicester before joining Manchester City, where he went on to win all the trophies available and not to forget winning the Africa Cup of Nations with the Algerian national team in 2019.
Now at Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, Mahrez is one of the best players in he Saudi Pro League.
All of this was done with massive contributions by Riyad Mahrez. His trickery is unparalleled; he is one of the best dribblers of the game in Africa, and all of this start with his first touch.
3. Marcelo Viera
Marcelo Viera is a Brazilian legend, Real Madrid legend, and you can also, simply put, a first-touch genius. Just like every Brazilian, the left-back is a very skillful player.
Whether from a longball or from a short one, Marcelo’s first touch is always on point.
Marcelo’s first touch is characterized by his exceptional ball control, which allows him to receive the ball with ease and move it into space with his deft and delicate touches.
While his predecessor at Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, Roberto Carlos, was known for his shot power, Marcelo will not only be remembered for his trophy cabinet at Real Madrid or as a footballer in general but also how confident he is with the ball at his feet.
One of his best first touch play at Real Madrid was against Bayern at the Allianz Arena, where he dropped the ball from a long-range and stopped it with a single touch without rolling it over. Definitely one of the best first-touch players in football’s history.
4. Neymar Jr.
South Americans, especially Brazilians, do a lot of flair and skills in football, and all of those Neymar has plenty.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward can twist and turn to score incredible goals, and he has the ability to trap the ball on the first try.
The Brazilian number 10 is a technically-gifted footballer with a good first touch, who possesses an uncanny ability to control the ball with his deft and delicate touches.
His ability to keep the ball at his feet makes him one of the most fouled players in the game.
Evidence of his incredible first touch was seen in the build-up to the 2022 World Cup when he stopped a ball dropping from 35 yards from above, and he can also produce a stunning first touch, whether with a backheel or his knee on his thigh or his foot.
5. Lionel Messi
All hail the greatest of all time, the genius, the skills master Lionel Messi, he will definitely make almost all the lists of the greatest players in terms of quality, and this one is not an exception.
The Argentine is a composed footballer with a good first touch, who is also able to maintain a calm and collected demeanor on the ball, using his poise and control to dictate the tempo of the game.
The forward is known for his incredible passing range, technical awareness, and playmaking skills, making him one of the football players with the best vision.
Lionel Messi will definitely be ranked one of the greatest players of all time and also one of the greatest players with the best first touches.
6. Phil Foden
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is one of the best technical players in the world at the moment.
Phil Foden has the ability to bring the ball under control with deft touches and nimble footwork. He is said to exude technical elegance on the ball.
The young midfielder does better than control the ball with his first touch. In fact, he does first touch assists. Incredible.
The England midfielder was the key factor as Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team went on to win the travel last season.
7. Bernardo Silva
Imagine being so good at the first touch that you are asked to rate the first touch of your Manchester City teammates. That’s the case with the Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva.
The Portuguese is a confident footballer with a good first touch that exudes an aura of self-assurance, and ability to take on defenders with his audacious dribbling skills and fearless attitude.
His talent is never in doubt, and that’s why Pep Guardiola brought him into Manchester City, where he has won everything available in his club football except, say, for the FIFA Club World Cup, which is most likely imminent.
8. Leroy Sané
Speed, pace, dribble, finishing, and first touch are still added to it? Welcome, Leroy Sané.
The Bayern Munich man is one of the top wingers in the world, and that is because he possesses one of the best first touch in the football.
The skillful winger has the innate ability to control long balls with his feet and body. He usually brings the ball down and drives forward at pace to attack his opposition, making him a world-class winger.
Leroy Sane played under Pep at Manchester City, and at that point, his first-touch game was already a beauty. Bayern Munich continues to enjoy the best days of the forward.
9. Rafael Leão
Rafael Leão remains one of the most exciting players to watch in world football at the moment thanks to his style of play that includes a little bit of flair and dribbling as well as pace and finishing, but most of the time, his first touch is also top-notch.
The Portuguese forward is so good with the ball at his feet.
He is a dynamic footballer with a good first touch and possesses explosive speed and acceleration, allowing him to burst past defenders with his powerful runs and lightning-quick footwork.
10. Robert Lewandowski
There is no doubt about Robert Lewandowski’s status as one of the best strikers in the game.
That is partly because of his impeccable first touch, which he uses to devastating effect. He is capable to controlling passes, crosses, and long balls at any speed.
When he brings the ball under control, Lewandowski has only one thing in his mind, which it to score.
From Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich and now to Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski is aging like a fine wine.
His first touch is one of his greatest assets, as he even often scores with his first touch from a volley or a long ball.
