In football of today being fast or strong is no longer enough. The most captivating stars today are those who make magic with the ball at their feet. The artists who can glide past defenders, improvise in tight spaces, and ignite the crowd with a flick, feint, or backheel. The 2024/25 season delivered a fresh wave of technical brilliance, and we’ve ranked the 10 most skillful players who stood out across Europe’s top leagues and beyond.
Here’s the list from number 10 to the most skillful player of the season.
10. Rafael Leão (AC Milan & Portugal)
Rafael Leão remains one of the most naturally gifted wide players in Europe. The AC Milan winger is a constant threat when isolated against full-backs, combining lightning pace with unpredictable flair.
This season, he delivered over 105 successful take-ons in Serie A, often ghosting past defenders with ease.
9. Jérémy Doku (Manchester City & Belgium)
Doku is pure electricity. Even in a Pep Guardiola system that values structure, the Belgian winger was given the freedom to express himself and he didn’t disappoint. With over 90 successful dribbles in the Premier League despite limited starts, Doku often left defenders grasping at shadows.
8. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich & France)
After making a high-profile move to Bayern Munich, Michael Olise took his creativity to the Bundesliga and instantly lit up games with his effortless dribbling.
He averaged nearly three key passes per match and completed over 60 successful take-ons. Olise’s technical elegance, particularly in tight areas, made him a vital piece in Bayern’s attack.
7. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG& Georgia)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s mid-season move to PSG transformed both his career and the club’s fortunes. Joining in January 2025, he quickly adapted to Luis Enrique’s dynamic system, bringing creativity and flair to the left flank.
6. Désiré Doué (PSG & France)
Désiré Doué’s skills rise reached new heights in the 2024/25 season. After transferring from Rennes to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2024 for €50 million , the 19-year-old winger quickly became an integral part of PSG’s attacking force.
His performance in the UEFA Champions League final. In PSG’s commanding 5–0 victory over Inter Milan, Doué scored two goals and provided an assist, earning the Man of the Match award and helping the club secure their first-ever Champions League title .
Throughout the season, Doué contributed 15 goals and 15 assists across all competitions , which demonstrates his consistent impact on the pitch.
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5. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid & France)
Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid didn’t slow down his skills— it elevated it. While his pace remains his most feared weapon, this season saw him add even more finesse to his game.
With over 80 successful take-ons in all competitions and countless nutmegs and body feints, Mbappé was a nightmare for defenders.
He scored 43 goals and assisted five.
4. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich & Germany)
Musiala doesn’t just dribble, he dances. The German playmaker continued to impress as one of the most elegant players in world football. He glided past challenges with composure , averaging nearly three successful dribbles per game.
His dribbling technique is among the best in the world, often weaving through midfield presses and opening space with body feints.
3. VinÃcius Júnior (Real Madrid & Brazil)
Vinà Jr. continues to own the left wing with a combination of samba style, sharp acceleration, and clever improvisation. He completed nearly 80 take-ons in La Liga and starred in Real Madrid’s Champions League run with several clutch performances.
2. Rayan Cherki (Lyon & France)
Rayan Cherki is pure football fantasy. Though he hasn’t yet reached the top tier in terms of consistency or end product, his skill ceiling might be the highest of anyone on this list.
Playing as a No. 10 or inverted winger, Cherki averaged over two successful dribbles per game in Ligue 1 and regularly left defenders spinning with his close control and unpredictable moves.
1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona & Spain)
At just 17, Lamine Yamal is already one of the most skillful players in world football. The Barcelona wonderkid led Europe’s top five leagues in completed dribbles (245 all competitions) and combined his skills and creativity with real impact, delivering 18 goals and 21 assists this season.
From Zinedine Zidane’s amazement at Yamal’s ability to perform at the highest level to a global star like Cole Palmer even naming him the world’s best player, there is simply no denying the Barcelona prodigy’s talent and quality.
