Image via Complex Original
If part of the reason we watch basketball is to see defenders fall over from ankle-breaking crossovers, and part of the reason we tune into football is to see running backs and wide receivers put the moves on linebackers and defensive backs, than we most definitely enjoy watching soccer for the jukes that in particular forwards and wingers put on opposing players. Sometimes they come in the form of a sweet step-over, other times a ridiculous flick or magnificent display of ball-juggling is enough to leave not just one, but often multiple defenders flapping at the air in embarrassment. The point is no matter the sport, we love to see dudes get shook, whether it be on the blacktop of Rucker Park, or the pitch at the Nou Camp. So, we’ve scanned the archives and the Internet to bring you this, GIF Gallery: The 25 Best Juke Moves in Soccer History.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
25. The Tables are Turned on Neymar
Date: 6/19/2013
Game: Brazil vs. Mexico
It's not often Neymar is on the receiving end of some dirty footwork, so when he is we feel obliged to show it to you again and again in GIF form. It's the Mexican front man, Chicharito, who gives the Brazilian a taste of his own medicine in last years Confederations Cup. Don't worry though, Neymar got the last laugh as he scored and assisted for Brazil's 2-0 victory.
24. Who Says Defenders Have no Ball Control?
Date: 6/24/2012
Game: Red Bulls vs. DC United
Better known for being a rock in the heart of defense, Heath Pearce must've brought a smile to faces of defenders worldwide for this little jig he pulled on DC United defender, Danny Cruz.
23. The Little Magician Destroys a Nation
Date: 7/28/2013
Game: Thai National Team XI vs. Liverpool
If the Liverpool revival is to really take off this season, and in the future, than surely this young Brazilian playmaker is going to be at the heart of it. Phillipe Coutinho absolutely shreds the Thai defense during LFC's preseason tour of Asia here. The little man is sidelined for six weeks with a shoulder injury, and his presence will most definitely be missed.
22. Why Did Madrid Let Ozil Go?
Date: 1/15/2013
Game: Real Madrid vs. Valencia
We swear we have nothing against Valencia. This time it's the new Arsenal man, Mesut Ozil, who destroys the Valencia defense with sublime dribbling ability. We get that Madrid had to recoup some of the funds they splashed on Gareth Bale, but Mesut Ozil looks every bit one of the best visionary midfielders in Europe.
21. Franck Ribery Takes on the World
Date: 8/9/2013
Game: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Monchengladbach
Most players would look up, see three defenders, and try and find a pass. Frank Ribery looks up, sees three defenders, and continues to take them all on with great success. With Ribery and Robben patrolling the wings, and Pep Guardiola at the helm for Bayern, it wouldn't be unconscionable to think the Bavarian giants could be the first club since AC Milan in 1990 to retain the Champions League crown.
20. The Signature Messi Sweep
Date: 4/29/2008
Game: Manchester United vs. Barcelona
Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest player to lace up a pair of boots, and it's not just the goals or the moves he makes on the pitch, it's the ease with which he seems to pull off the impossible. The former FIFA World Player of the Year, and back-to-back-to-back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner ('09-'12), Messi has played many a defender with this signature sweep. United would get the last laugh though, Paul Scholes would score a game-winning golazo to send the Red Devils to the Champions League Final.
19. Neymar Was Just too Good for the Brasileiro
Date: 4/15/2012
Game: Santos vs. Catanduvense
You think it's a coincidence that Barcelona made sure this was one signing they were not going to let Real Madrid take away from them? Neymar absolutely lit up the Brazilian top flight with dribbling ability like this. Just 21 years old, Neymar is already one of the premier football talents, and at age 19 he took home the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award while playing for Santos.
18. Luis Suarez is in a Class of His Own
Date: 3/22/2013
Game: Uruguay vs. Paraguay
Obviously no stranger to controversy, Luis Suarez is arguably the most polarizing player in world football today. Regardless though, it's moves like this that most would never even dream of let alone attempt. We keep our eyes glued to everything the Uruguay man does.
17. Neymar Has the Last Laugh
Date: 6/19/2013
Game: Brazil vs. Mexico
We told you Neymar was going to have the last laugh in this Confederations Cup match against Mexico, and so he did. The young winger easily ghosts past the two Mexican defenders who are caught in between trying to make a challenge, yet not committing a foul. Well, with Neymar you get burned either way, the Brazilian would squeeze through and assist Jo for the late second, and a guaranteed victory.
16. Arjen Robben Cuts in Like a Surgeon
Date: 5/1/2013
Game: Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich
Does it matter that Bayern was already well and through to the Final of last season's Champions League when Arjen Robben broke out this little nugget? Absolutely not. Class is class, and Robben showed once again here that his left foot maybe the sweetest in the game. Bayern thoroughly deserved their 7-0 drubbing of the Spanish champions.
15. The Effervescent, Ronaldinho Gaucho
Date: 9/30/2009
Game: AC Milan vs. FC Zurich
A back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, Ronaldinho displayed the true essence of joga bonito on the pitch. During his prime with PSG, Barcelona and Milan, Ronaldinho was untouchable, and he left a slew of defenders like this in the wake of his incredible dribbling ability.
14. The Dutch Master Shines at the '74 World Cup
Date: 6/19/1974
Game: Holland vs. Sweden
A three-time Ballon d'Or winner ('71, '73, '74), Johan Cruyff was the embodiment of total football. Like so many of the game's greats, he always saved his best for the biggest stage. This move against Sweden during the '74 World Cup is just a sample of what the Dutchman could conjure from his bag of tricks.
13. The Flying Dutchman Toys With Madrid
Date: 2/13/2013
Game: Real Madrid vs. Manchester United
Robin Van Persie maybe better known for his ability to put the ball in the back of the net than his dribbling on the touchline, but the former Dutch Football Talent of the Year showed here that he's not to be messed with while in possession either.
12. R.I.P., Carles Puyol
Date: 2/26/2013
Game: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
Carles Puyol maybe known as a rock in the heart of the Barcelona defense, but he was made to look more like paper as he was absolutely shredded on this move by Angel di Maria. Seriously, the Madrid Winger makes Puyol look silly with this juke in the box. This will only add to the heated rivalry.
11. Christian Eriksen Dummy's his Defender
Date: 8/26/2011
Game: Ajax vs. Vitesse
There were a host of clubs in the Premier League who were interested in bringing the talents of Christian Eriksen to England this summer, and with moves like this it's not hard to see why. Eriksen already recorded a fine assist for Tottenham on his debut, and he looks like a great signing for AVB's squad.
10. CR7's Mezmorizing Footwork
Date: 4/13/2008
Game: Manchester United vs. Arsenal
With footwork like this, and his propensity to score dazzling goals, it's no wonder that Cristiano Ronaldo is always in contention for best player in the world. Like his La Liga nemesis, Leo Messi, Ronaldo has been gifted with ability from the football gods above. It's no wonder United fans were chomping at the bit to see CR back in the red of Manchester, but that looks very far off now.
9. Love Him or Loathe Him, There's Only One Luis Suarez
Date: 12/5/2011
Game: Fulham vs. Liverpool
Luis Suarez, you've done it again. The time really needs to be taken to applaud the deft touch that the Uruguayan displays here against Fulham. A player who scores goals of his caliber and displays such control and skill with the ball, well it's no wonder he's one of the most sought after players in Europe.
8. Gareth BALErina
Date: 1/27/2013
Game: Leeds United vs. Tottenham
We're going to assume that even these Leeds United players will want to save this highlight to show their grandkids some day. Seriously, how can someone display that much control with the ball and maintain that speed on the pitch? Time will tell if Bale is truly worthy of the price tag of most expensive transfer ever.
7. We Miss You, Zinedine Zidane
Date: 2/22/2005
Game: Real Madrid vs. Juventus
A member of the Real Madrid squad known as Los Galacticos, Zinedine Zidane was a genius of a footballer. He was tough yet possessed the skill to pull off moves like this, and against an opponent like Juventus no less. It's no wonder Zidane took home FIFA World Player of the Year honors three times, and collected a Ballon d'Or. Zizou also won the World Cup and Euros with France in 1998 and 2000, respectively.
6. The Catalan Wizard Leaves Jallet for Dead
Date: 4/10/2013
Game: Barcelona vs. PSG
Lionel Messi usually gets most of the plaudits whenever Barcelona is mentioned, but anyone who watches the game knows that a midfield maestro deserves just as much recognition. In this case, Andres Iniesta shows what he is capable of when on the ball in possession. The Spanish international leaves PSG right-back Christophe Jallet in his wake as he ghosts by him to set up the cross. Iniesta's play would help see Barca through this tough match and into the Champions League semis.
5. Messi Leaves Nani in his Dust
Date: 5/28/2011
Game: Barcelona vs. Manchester United
Not only does Messi leave Nani for dead with this signature sweep move, he would also continue to dance into the box and set up the clinching goal in Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League Final victory over Manchester United in 2011. Cometh the moment, cometh the man, indeed.
4. Isco Leaves Valencia in Fits
Date: 11/24/2012
Game: Malaga vs. Valencia
Touted by many as Europe's best young player, it's no wonder a super giant like Real Madrid made signing the young Spanish international one of their top priorities this summer. Isco dazzled for La Liga side Malaga, and with moves like this he played a key role in guiding them all the way to the quarters of last season's Champions League.
3. Zlatan Ibra Kadabra
Date: 8/22/2004
Game: Ajax vs. NAC Breda
Sometimes lauded as a football mercenary for his willingness to move from club to club with the drop of a hat, Zlatan Ibrahimovic shows here in his early years with Ajax that no matter where he plays he provides magic. This slalom run and lovely finish against NAC Breda was just a sample of what would come once Ibra stepped into the spotlight at some of Europe's biggest clubs.
2. Walcott Rides the Challenge
Date: 12/29/2012
Game: Arsenal vs. Newcastle
Theo Walcott has really come on with Arsenal over the last few seasons, and his sublime wing play was yet again on display during this 7-3 shellacking of Newcastle. Walcott dances through defenders and coolly rides the challenge of another to not only keep control, but also cheekily chip the keeper for the final nail in the Magpies' coffin.
1. The Brilliance of Leo Messi
Date: 4/18/2007
Game: Barcelona vs. Getafe
Arguably Messi's greatest solo goal of his career to date. The little Argentina man picks the ball up at the halfway line before embarrassing the entire Getafe team, including the keeper, and finishing coolly as only Messi can. Bravo, Leo, bravo.
