– Recognizes Lionel Messi, Madonna for most successful performance
By Ola Kay
International Federation of Association Football, FIFA, has reconfirmed that Jay-Jay Okocha, the iconic Nigerian footballer sill holds reputation for the most successful dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup match.
The world football governing body noted that Okocha completed 15 successful dribbles record at Nigeria’s Round of 16 encounter versus the Italy National Football Team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup which took place in the United States, a historic record that remains unmatched even over 30 years after.
Jay Jay as being fondly called achieved the milestone against a formidable Italian opponent that paraded renowned footballers like Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Demetrio Albertini.
The world football governing body noted that the record by former Super Eagles captain continues to stand despite the appearance of many other world-class dribblers over the years.
According FIFA, Former Brazilian forward, Jairzinho and former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne are joint second on the list with 13 successful dribbles in a single World Cup match.
FIFA also recognised others in the competition’s greatest dribblers, including Eusebio, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona and Jamal Musiala.
The world football body equally noted particularly that Lionel Messi holds the record for the most successful dribbles across all World Cup appearances with 125, while Maradona remains the player with the highest number of successful dribbles in a single tournament, recording 53 during the 1986 World Cup.
The record by FIFA further confirms Okocha’s status as one of the most skilful footballers in World Cup history and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated sporting icons.
-The Pinnacle Quote-
*Some lessons only make sense after you learn them the hard way.*
About The Author
