Football has always been a rapidly evolving sport. There is a breakthrough every few years, with new technology, tactics, and regulations changing the game, for better or for worse.
Modern-day football is heavily dependent on data and analytics. Managers and the coaching staff spend hours and hours behind computer screens, optimizing the players’ output, making them more consistent and effective. As a result, most players in the biggest European leagues have reduced taking risks, instead opting for moves that help their team keep possession.
The top flight of Spanish football, La Liga, however, still has a few exceptions. They still have their fair share of forwards who are not afraid of taking defenders on, of going for the high-reward manoeuvres. In the list below, we will tip our hat to the risk-takers, checking out the top five players who completed the most take-ons in 2024.
Note: A successful take-on is when an attacker beats a defender in a one-on-one duel. He must retain possession after the battle.
#5 Robert Navarro (Mallorca, Cadiz): 67 Take-ons
Robert Navarro, who joined Mallorca from Cadiz in August 2024, completed 67 take-ons in La Liga in 2024. Navarro played 36 games in the Spanish top flight.
Comfortable on either wing as well as down the middle as a No. 10, Navarro scored two goals in La Liga over the course of the year.
#4 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid): 74 Take-ons
One of the most prolific players in the world in one-on-one situations, Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior completed an impressive 74 take-ons in 30 La Liga outings in 2024.
The Brazilian left-winger, who won The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award in 2024 after firing Real Madrid to the La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and Supercopa de Espana in the 2023-24 season, scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in the league last year.
#3 Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao): 75 Take-ons
Spain and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has narrowly edged out Real Madrid frontman Vinicius Junior, completing 75 take-ons in La Liga in 2024. Williams, who won the 2024 UEFA EURO with La Roja, played 33 league matches last year.
Williams, a jet-heeled dribbler with an eye for goal, scored three goals in 2024. He also chipped in with nine assists in the Spanish top flight over the course of the year.
#2 Alberto Moleiro (Las Palmas): 76 Take-ons
Las Palmas’ gifted attacking midfielder, Alberto Moleiro, has captured the second position on this list after completing 76 take-ons in La Liga last year. The 21-year-old Spain U21 international played 37 league games in Spain in 2024.
Moleiro scored three goals and provided three assists in 28 La Liga matches in the 2023-24 season. He has enjoyed a more prolific start to the 2024-25 season, finding the back of the net four times already in just 17 games.
#1 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): 96 Take-0ns
Edging out all of his peers in La Liga, Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has emerged as the most prolific dribbler in Spain. Yamal, who has the world at his feet at just 17, completed a jaw-dropping 96 take-ons last year. The EURO 2024 winner played 35 Spanish top-flight games in 2024.
Yamal, who won the Golden Boy award in 2024, scored four goals in La Liga last year. He also chipped in with 15 assists, emerging as one of the most generous players in the division.
