Best Tricky Players in Football (Soccer) History

Nationality: Portuguese
Date of Birth:26 September 1983

Quaresma is a real wild card. You never know how he might perform on the day but he is a player with one of the biggest arsenal of tricks in the world. This man is a born entertainer who humiliates defenders with ease.

Nationality: French
Date of Birth: 24 June 1972

The midfield maestro certainly knew his way around the ball - he had wonderful technique and brilliant ball control. Showed the world that no one's perfect when he head-butted Materazzi at the FIFA World Cup final in 2006 but who in the world would even care about that when dealing with talent like Zidane's?

Nationality: Argentinian
Date of Birth: 24 June 1987

Messi is probably the best player in the world right now, but as wonderful as his skills are, he doesn't use a lot of fancy footwork in his dribbles. Messi is fast, unforgiving and painfully good. He can run at (and completely destroy) defences like no other but as I said before, his style is often straight-forward and effective rather than flamboyant. But that isn't a bad thing at all, he is an all time great at the tender age of 24 after all!

Nationality: Portuguese
Date of Birth: 17 November 1986

On his day, Nani dominates his flank with explosive runs and wonderful trickery. Perhaps the other attributes of his game haven't progressed as much as it was expected over the years but he is still young and has everything going for him - in my opinion Nani might easily be one of the best players in the world in a few years, rather than just one of the best in the EPL (which he already is).

Nationality: Dutch
Date of Birth: 26 September 1983

This gifted and controversial dutchman had superb ball control. He was absolutely brilliant to watch when on the ball, off the ball he tended to let his emotions get the better of him a little too often though. But that doesn't change his position in the list, all that counts is that his moves were pure magic!

Nationality: Brazilian
Date of Birth: 25 January 1984

Robinho's skills are simply amazing! His performance on the night often seems to depend on his mood but the quality he possesses is undeniable. Robinho is a born entertainer, a joker who has his way with most of the defenders who are unlucky enough to stand between this talented Brazilian and the goal.

Nationality: Brazilian
Date of Birth: 18 September 1976

"The Phenomenon" is one of the most skillful and lethal strikers in the history of the sport. Not only was he a great finisher, he did things with the ball that some defenders he faced probably didn't even know existed! I remember him best from the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he scored 8 goals (including 2 in the final against Germany) and I have to admit - the defenders really were helpless. A true footballing legend!

Nationality: Swedish
Date of Birth: 3 October 1981
Best Skill: Close control

The Big Swede's technique is just breathtaking! He leaves defenders for dead all the time and only seems to score beautiful goals, sliding the ball into the net with his heel or driving and unstoppable shot to the upper corner of the goal. Truly a gifted player, a joy to watch.

Nationality: Portuguese
Date of Birth: 5 February 1985
Best Skill: Stepovers

The Portuguese wizard is probably the most complete player in the world but the highlight of his performances (next to his speed) is certainly the way he dances around with the ball. Cristiano Ronaldo's tricks are often unpredictable and sharp, possessing raw beauty. For me, although I am a Real Madrid supporter, he has performed most of his best and very creative tricks wearing a Manchester United jersey. He plays a bit safer and for the team now but still uses plenty of tricks and skills that confuse, beat or rip apart the best defenders in the world!

Nationality: Brazilian
Date of Birth: 21 March 1980
Best Skill: Elastico

The former two time FIFA World Player of the Year's best assets are his ball control, agility and skill. He can dribble like few people can, and defenders tend to look like fools when coming up against him. He has tons of tricks in his locker and is best known for his ravaging performances for FC Barcelona and Brazil, and a constant smile on his face while playing football. I think that Ronaldinho's trickery is iconic and unrivaled by anyone in the history of the sport.