FIFA hails Okocha’s historic World Cup record

FIFA has officially recognized Nigerian football icon Austin "Jay Jay" Okocha for an extraordinary World Cup record: the most successful dribbles in a single match. This distinction solidifies his legacy as one of the game's most dazzling players.

During Nigeria's Round of 16 clash against Italy at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Okocha executed an astonishing 15 successful dribbles. This remarkable feat was achieved against a formidable Italian defense that included legendary players like Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, and Demetrio Albertini. The record stands unbroken in World Cup history.

Other players who have achieved significant dribbling numbers in World Cup history include Brazil's Jairzinho with 13 dribbles against Uruguay in 1970, matched by England's Paul Gascoigne against Cameroon in 1990. Several players have recorded 12 successful dribbles in a single match, including Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, and most recently, Jamal Musiala in 2022. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi holds the record for the most successful dribbles across all his World Cup appearances combined, with 125 take-ons. Diego Maradona also holds the record for the most dribbles in a single World Cup edition with 53 at Mexico 1986.