271
Former Nigeria international Osaze Odemwingie has shared his thoughts on Jay-Jay Okocha’s claim of being the best dribbler in football history.
While Odemwingie acknowledged Okocha’s incredible skill, he described the assertion as a “big claim,” though he ranks Okocha among the top three dribblers of all time.
Speaking during an interview on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze, Odemwingie highlighted his personal preference for Ronaldo Nazario as the ultimate dribbler, praising the Brazilian legend’s ability to combine flair with clinical finishing.
“For me, Ronaldo Nazario was the dribbler,” Odemwingie said. “He is not the greatest dribbler but he could dribble and he was a striker.”
Okocha, widely regarded for his mesmerizing dribbling skills, had a storied career that earned him global recognition.
Even Ronaldinho once credited Okocha as an inspiration. The Brazilian legend admired Okocha’s incredible talent and flair, particularly his knack for making football “listen” to him during training sessions.
Despite the ongoing debate about the greatest dribblers in football history, Odemwingie acknowledged that preferences vary among fans and players.
“It’s a big claim, but there are people who will agree with it right away because everyone has their favorite players,” he explained.
“For me, Jay-Jay is up there. Maybe for some, he’s number one. But when I think of skills, I also look at pace. Add pace to skills, and that’s where Messi and Co comes in.”
Okocha’s claim has undoubtedly sparked discussions, but his influence on the game remains undisputed, earning him admiration from fans and legends of the game.
