In 2025, Lamine Yamal completed 285 successful dribbles, nearly double the figures of his two closest competitors: Jeremy Doku of Man City with 155, and Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid with 144.

This achievement places the 18-year-old forward second only to Lionel Messi's record of 297 successful dribbles in 2015.

Yamal (center) dribbles during Barca's 2-0 victory over Villarreal in La Liga round 17 on 21/12. Photo: Reuters

Yamal's coronation as the "dribbling king" of 2025 comes as no surprise. The Barca right winger consistently displays high energy, is difficult to anticipate, and can easily bypass opponents.

Yamal is also developing into a more versatile player. In the 2024-2025 season, the 18-year-old forward scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 55 appearances for Barca. He continued this impressive run in the first half of the current season, scoring 9 goals and assisting 11 times in 20 matches, while also leading in shots with 153 and dribbles with 78.

In 2025 alone, Yamal played the same number of matches for Barca and the Spain national team as in 2024. While his assists remained constant, his goal tally increased from 13 to 24. In the year's final match, a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in round 17 on 21/12, Yamal recorded 127 touches, created six chances, completed 7 of 12 dribbles, took four shots, and scored one goal.

Yamal is currently on his Christmas and New Year break in Dubai. He has been nominated for the Best Player 2025 award at the Globe Soccer Awards, alongside top players such as: Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, and Raphinha, with the ceremony scheduled for 28/12. Earlier, he finished runner-up for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA The Best awards, losing to Dembele in both instances.

Thanh Quy (via MD)