In soccer, it’s often the simplest moments that reveal true genius. While goals and assists are the numbers everyone remembers, a player’s first touch, the seemingly effortless ability to control and set the ball with a single movement, often tells you more about their skill than a highlight reel could.
It’s that first touch when under intense pressure that separates the good from the truly unforgettable.
Today, we’re looking into the players who made the first touch look like art, players whose subtle grace in controlling the ball helped them turn games, delight fans, and redefine what’s possible on the field.
1. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho did not just control the ball; he spoke its language. Known for his infectious joy, he made soccer look like the most fun anyone could ever have.
One iconic moment comes to mind: Ronaldinho repeatedly lofted the ball against the crossbar during warm-ups, each time cushioning it back down as if the ball was on a string. It’s this sheer mastery that made fans fall in love with him.
Ronaldinho’s first touch wasn’t just technical brilliance; it was a performance.
He turned ball control into entertainment, turning mundane moments into magic. There may never be another player who plays with such genuine joy and makes the difficult look so fun.
2. Lionel Messi
It’s almost a cliché to call Messi magical, but honestly, what else can you say?
His control is so subtle, so precise, that the ball might as well be part of him. Watch him navigate through crowds of defenders, and it’s his first touch that makes it all possible.
Messi’s mastery starts the moment the ball reaches him, allowing him to take off in any direction he wants.
What’s remarkable is that Messi doesn’t rely on flashy tricks or overly complex moves; his first touch is his trick, and that’s enough.
He doesn’t just control the ball—he sets it up perfectly for whatever he wants to do next, a step ahead of everyone else. Each touch is like the first line of a story that he alone knows how to finish, and we’re all left on the edge of our seats waiting to see how it unfolds.
3. Dimitar Berbatov
He was unlike any other player. While most players fought to keep up with the fast-paced world of Premier League soccer, Berbatov played at his own pace, making everything look easy.
His first touch wasn’t just a skill—it was a statement. He’d casually pluck the ball from the air as if he were taking a stroll in the park, not playing in front of thousands.
His calm elegance was mesmerizing. Every time a high ball came his way, he seemed to say, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
His touches were as graceful as they were confident, a kind of quiet swagger that fans adored. Watching him was like watching an artist paint with ease, his poise showing just how beautiful the game could be in the right hands—or, rather, on the right feet.
4. Dennis Bergkamp
Bergkamp’s first touch was the stuff of legend—a blend of calmness, control, and creativity.
If you’ve seen his remarkable goal against Newcastle United, you know what I mean. In one graceful movement, he controlled the ball with his left foot, spun around a defender, and then slotted it home.
It was as though he had all the time in the world while everyone else was playing at double speed.
What made Bergkamp special was his ability to operate under pressure without a trace of panic. While his teammate Thierry Henry dazzled with pace and power, Bergkamp was the artist—the player who could make an entire defence standstill with just a single, perfect first touch.
His calmness on the ball felt like an unbreakable pact between him and the leather sphere, an understanding that the rest of us could only dream of achieving.
5. Zinedine Zidane
His first touch was a masterpiece in motion, a blend of elegance, power, and flawless timing. Standing over six feet tall, Zidane moved with a rare fluidity, showing that size didn’t mean sacrificing grace.
His control was legendary, his first touch often followed by his trademark “roulette” move that left defenders looking helpless.
What made Zidane’s first touch special was how he seemed to manipulate time itself.
He would bring the ball down and, in a single movement, pivot into a new space, leaving opponents flat-footed. Zidane wasn’t just controlling the ball—he was bending it to his will, making every touch feel like a moment suspended in time.
Watching him play was like seeing a footballing ballet unfold, where each step was choreographed to perfection.
6. Neymar
With Neymar, the first touch is about flair, confidence, and a little bit of audacity.
He doesn’t just want to bring the ball under control; he wants to do it with style, to make sure everyone’s watching. His first touch often involves a little flick, a spin, or even a tiny jump, just to keep the defenders on edge.
His control, especially in tight spaces or at blistering speeds is breathtaking.
He doesn’t simply bring the ball down; he makes a statement with every touch, adding a twist that feels uniquely his. When Neymar’s on the ball, it’s as much a show as it is a soccer game.
Watching him leave defenders reaching in vain as he moves past is a joy, a reminder that soccer isn’t just a game of goals—it’s an art form, and Neymar is one of its boldest artists.
7. Johan Cruyff
Cruyff was a player who viewed soccer differently from most. He was a philosopher on the pitch, and his first touch embodied his ideals of simplicity and efficiency.
Famous for the “Cruyff Turn,” his control was an extension of his philosophy that every movement should be purposeful. For him, a first touch wasn’t just about stopping the ball; it was the first move in a sequence that could end with brilliance.
His philosophy was clear: true control comes from repetition. He once said, “To touch the ball perfectly once, you need to have touched it 100,000 times in training.”
This dedication showed in his game, where every touch seemed flawless. Cruyff’s influence is still felt today in players around the world, all of whom owe a debt to the Dutch legend who made the first touch an art.
8. Mesut Özil
Özil’s first touch has a special, almost magical quality to it. He could make even the toughest passes look like feathers, bringing them down with a lightness that bordered on effortless.
In his early days with Arsenal, Özil lit up the Premier League with his smooth touch, making complex passes look like simple exercises.
What set him apart was his ability to anticipate what was coming next.
His first touch wasn’t just about control; it was about setting up the play he envisioned. Özil’s style may not have been the most explosive, but his vision and technique were unrivalled, and his touch felt like the opening move in a chess game only he could see.
He’s the kind of player who made you realize just how much there is to appreciate in soccer’s subtleties.
9. Diego Maradona
He was a player with a boldness that matched his skills, and his first touch was an extension of that personality. When the ball came to Maradona, he seemed to command it rather than simply control it. Known for his incredible dribbling ability, Maradona’s first touch was so precise, that it allowed him to manoeuvre in impossibly tight spaces.
Maradona’s famous ball-juggling warm-ups alone are enough to convince anyone of his touch’s brilliance.
He made it look like the ball belonged only to him, bending it to his will with ease. Every touch felt intentional, and every movement seemed imbued with personality.
For Maradona, control wasn’t just about skill; it was about artistry, a form of expression that made his game as unpredictable as it was unforgettable.
10. Marcelo
Marcelo may be a left-back, but his first touch could rival that of any forward. For years, he brought excitement and technical flair to Real Madrid’s left flank, turning what should have been a defensive position into an artful display.
Known for his link-up play with Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo’s control was vital to Madrid’s success, especially in high-stakes games.
Marcelo’s first touch is Brazilian in every sense—flashy, precise, and endlessly entertaining.
Whether receiving a pass from across the field or controlling a bouncing ball down the line, Marcelo made it look easy. His playful touch showed that even in a role that demands discipline, there’s always room for a bit of flair.
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