Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal has equalled a World Cup dribbling record set by former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha at the 1998 France tournament.
Yamal’s 12 Dribbles Per 90 Minutes Put Him Level With Nigeria Legend Okocha
Yamal is averaging 12 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at the 2026 World Cup, matching the same rate Okocha achieved 28 years ago, Punch Sports Extra reports.
According to ESPN, it is the highest average by any player to feature for more than 200 minutes at a single World Cup since the Nigerian icon’s record-setting campaign in France.
Okocha set the benchmark across Nigeria’s three group matches in 1998, including a standout display in their celebrated 3-2 win over Spain. His dribbling exploits at that tournament came on the back of an even more eye-catching record — 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 World Cup, still the most by any player in a single World Cup match.
Yamal, who turned 19 before the tournament, has been Spain’s standout performer, with his country winning all eight matches in which he has started at a major tournament.
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