FIFA has confirmed that Super Eagles legend Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha holds the record for the most successful dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup match, underlining his enduring status as one of the most skilful footballers the game has ever produced, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
According to the world football governing body, Okocha completed 15 successful dribbles against Italy during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States — a feat achieved against one of the most celebrated defensive units of that era, including Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini.
The record remains unmatched in World Cup history. In second place is Brazil’s Jairzinho with 13 dribbles against Uruguay in 1970, a mark matched by England’s Paul Gascoigne against Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup.
Nine players have recorded 12 successful dribbles in a single match to complete the all-time list, including Portugal’s Eusebio against Hungary in 1966, West Germany’s Reinhard Libuda against Bulgaria in 1970, the Netherlands’ Johan Cruyff against Sweden in 1974, Italy’s Sandro Mazzola against Poland in 1974, Argentina’s Diego Maradona against England in 1986, and Germany’s Jamal Musiala against Costa Rica in 2022.
FIFA also noted that Argentina captain Lionel Messi holds the record for the most successful dribbles across all World Cup appearances combined, with 125 take-ons completed in his tournament career.
The late Maradona, meanwhile, holds the record for the most dribbles in a single World Cup edition, with 53 at Mexico 1986.