Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has equalled a FIFA World Cup dribbling record that has stood since 1998 after averaging 12 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at the ongoing 2026 tournament, matching the feat achieved by former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha during Nigeria's campaign at the France '98 World Cup.
According to ESPN, Yamal's average is the highest by any player to feature for more than 200 minutes at a single World Cup since Okocha posted the same rate 28 years ago, highlighting the Barcelona winger's growing influence on Spain's impressive run.
Okocha, widely regarded as one of Nigeria's greatest footballers, produced a series of dazzling displays at the 1998 World Cup, starring in the Super Eagles' memorable 3-2 victory over Spain and 1-0 win against Bulgaria before Nigeria bowed out in the round of 16 following a 4-1 defeat to Denmark.
His performance against Spain remains one of the finest by a Nigerian at a World Cup. FIFA statistics showed Okocha completed nine successful dribbles, created two chances and delivered three crosses as the Super Eagles came from behind twice to secure a famous victory through goals from Mutiu Adepoju, an Andoni Zubizarreta own goal and Sunday Oliseh's stunning late strike. Earlier this year, FIFA retrospectively named Okocha Player of the Match for that performance.
Remarkably, Okocha's exploits in France came four years after another dribbling masterclass at the 1994 World Cup, where he completed 15 successful dribbles against Italy a record that still stands as the most by any player in a single World Cup match.
Yamal, who turned 19 shortly before the tournament, has emerged as one of the standout players at the 2026 finals. Spain have won all eight major tournament matches he has started, giving him the best 100 per cent winning record of any European player to start at a FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship.
