The CIES Football Observatory released its updated ranking of the world’s best dribblers on Monday, October 20, 2025. Luiz Henrique, a 24-year-old attacker playing for Zenit in Russia, holds the 22nd spot globally, scoring 87.8 points in a metric evaluating dribble frequency and success rate.
This position makes him the fifth-best Brazilian in the list, trailing Vinícius Júnior (2nd, Real Madrid), Estêvão (6th, Chelsea), Antony (14th, Betis), and Samuel Lino (15th, Flamengo). The CIES criteria rely on data from current national league seasons, adjusted for successful dribbles maintaining possession or earning fouls.
Luiz Henrique’s ranking comes during a positive week. On Sunday, he was named man of the match in Zenit’s 3-0 win over Sochi in the Russian Championship, contributing one goal and one assist this season.
- Dribble frequency: One every 14 minutes on average.
- Success rate: Over 65%, above the European league average.
- Russian football ranking: Top dribbler, ahead of Pedrinho (Zenit, 2nd).
Congratulations to Luiz Henrique, your #SochiZenit Man of the Match! 🇧🇷🏅 pic.twitter.com/M8MNj1pQFQ
— FC Zenit in English✨ (@fczenit_en) October 19, 2025
Recent Zenit performances boost stats
Luiz Henrique joined Zenit in January 2025 after a successful stint at Botafogo. His contract runs until December 2028, and he has quickly adapted to Russian football.
In 12 league matches, he recorded one goal and one assist, with standout dribbling performances. Zenit’s coach praised his speed and game vision in a recent press conference.
The CIES ranking underscores his immediate impact. With 87.8 points, he surpasses peers in leagues like Turkey and the Netherlands, excelling in a defensively intense championship.
Standout among Brazilians in the ranking
Vinícius Júnior leads Brazilians with 98 points, cementing his global dribbling prowess. Estêvão, at 18, ranks 6th with precocious skill at Chelsea, while Antony and Samuel Lino round out the top 15.
Brazil’s dominance reflects its tradition of producing skilled attackers. Five Brazilians rank in the top 50, averaging above 80 points, calculated via the Wyscout platform.
At 22nd, Luiz Henrique matches names like Michael Olise (Bayern) but stands out for competing outside Europe’s top five leagues.
CIES methodology evaluates dribbling precision
CIES uses data from over 30 leagues to compile the ranking. A successful dribble counts if it advances toward the goal or earns a foul, adjusted for opponent quality.
Michael Olise of Bayern Munich leads with 100 points, followed by Vinícius Júnior. The analysis covers the 2025/26 season up to October, focusing on competitive contexts.
In Russia, Luiz Henrique completed 45 dribbles in 1,200 minutes played. This efficiency makes him a key asset for Zenit’s title chase.
The CIES annual study influences scouts and coaches. High-ranking players often attract interest from European clubs, though Luiz Henrique focuses on his current adaptation.
Contributions to the Brazilian national team
Luiz Henrique joined Brazil’s last two call-ups under Carlo Ancelotti. In the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, he provided an assist in the win over Chile in September.
At 24, he competes for a permanent spot in the attack. His dribbling versatility complements Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo’s styles.
Ancelotti tested him in recent training formations. The coach prioritizes players with high success rates in offensive actions, aligned with CIES criteria.
Detailed CIES ranking numbers
Luiz Henrique’s index reflects growth since Botafogo. In 2024, he contributed to titles like the Libertadores and Brasileirão, averaging 28 dribbles per 90 minutes.
Compared to peers, his 87.8 score nears Antony’s 89 points. Estêvão, with 92, benefits from sub-23 league minutes.
- Top 5 Brazilians: Vini Jr (98), Estêvão (92), Antony (89), Samuel Lino (88), Luiz Henrique (87.8).
- Global leader: Michael Olise (100), Bayern.
- Key metric: Success adjusted for maintained ball possession.
These stats position Zenit as a hub for Brazilian talent. Pedrinho, Luiz Henrique’s teammate, ranks 2nd in Russia with 82 points.
