Nusa's Dribbling: Only Yamal Ahead in Europe's Elite

There is a quiet revolution happening on the wings of Europe's top five leagues, and it is not being led by the most expensive names in the game. Antonio Nusa, the 21-year-old winger from RB Leipzig, has spent the opening weeks of the 2026 season making defenders look slow, clumsy, and out of their depth. According to data published by PopFoot, Nusa has completed 37 successful dribbles from 67 attempts, a success rate of 55 percent that places him in the absolute upper echelon of the sport. Only one player in all of Europe has managed to get past defenders more often than him: Lamine Yamal of Barcelona.

It is a stunning statistical position for a player who was only signed from Club Brugge in 2024. While the global spotlight remains firmly fixed on the Barcelona prodigy, Nusa is operating at a level that suggests he is no longer just a promising talent but a finished product with genuine impact. The gap between them is razor thin, with Yamal completing 38 takes, but the context of Nusa's efficiency is what truly sets him apart from the rest of the European elite.

The Efficiency Behind the Numbers

Raw volume of dribbles is a common metric, but it often tells a incomplete story about a player's actual influence on the pitch. Nusa has attempted 16 fewer dribbles than Yamal, yet he has only lost one in the final tally of successful moves. This speaks to a high level of decision making and timing that is rare for a player so young. He is not simply charging at defenders in hope of success; he is selecting the moments where his physical attributes and technical skill give him the highest probability of winning the one-on-one duel.

Behind Nusa on the leaderboard are familiar names like Michael Olise, who has completed 32 dribbles, and Yan Diomande and Désiré Doué with 30 each. However, Nusa's 55 percent success rate matches Olise and exceeds the efficiency of many higher-profile stars in the top ten, including Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This is not a fluke result from a single good weekend; it is a sustained performance across the opening six appearances of the season.

Leipzig's New Difference Maker

Martin Demichelis has built a rebuilt attack at RB Leipzig that relies heavily on individual brilliance to break down organized defenses, and Nusa has become the primary engine of that system. In his first six games of the season, he has already recorded three goals and two assists, establishing himself as the most dangerous player in the squad. The departures of several key attacking players in recent transfer windows have created a vacuum of responsibility, and Nusa has stepped into it with a confidence that surprises observers who remember him as a young prospect just two years ago.

His first instinct is rarely to recycle possession back to the midfield or look for a safer pass. Instead, he wants to engage the defender, shift the ball onto either foot, and attack the space behind them. This unpredictability was part of the original attraction when Leipzig signed him, but what has changed is the consistency with which he now produces these moments. He is carrying genuine responsibility for the team's offensive output, a role that typically falls to more seasoned veterans or higher-paid stars.

A New Standard for Young Wingers

The comparison to Lamine Yamal is inevitable given their proximity on the statistical charts, but their roles and circumstances are different enough to respect the individuality of each player's contribution. Yamal has the backing of a global superstar brand and a massive infrastructure of support, while Nusa is proving himself in a competitive Bundesliga environment where every match is a battle for survival and points. Yet, the fact that they are separated by a single successful dribble after the opening weeks says something profound about the level at which Nusa is currently operating.

For fans of the game, this is a reminder that talent is not limited to the top two clubs in the world. There are players emerging in other leagues who are performing at an elite level and challenging the traditional hierarchy of European football. Nusa's ability to dominate one-on-one situations is not just a highlight reel stat; it is a tactical weapon that Leipzig can build their entire offensive strategy around. As the season progresses, his numbers will only grow, and his influence on the game will become even more pronounced.

What Comes Next for the Red Bulls

As the 2026 season moves deeper into the autumn months, the pressure will only increase on Nusa to maintain this level of performance. The Bundesliga is a league that rewards consistency and physicality, and there is no room for error or drop in form. Leipzig will be looking to him to not only create chances for himself but to elevate the play of his teammates and provide a focal point for the team's attacking moves. His ability to draw defenders and create space for others is a valuable asset that goes beyond his own goal and assist totals.

The data from PopFoot provides a snapshot of a player in peak form, but the true test will be how he performs against the very best defenses in Europe. If he can maintain his 55 percent success rate and continue to rack up successful dribbles, he will solidify his status as one of the most exciting young players in the world. For now, he is sitting just behind Lamine Yamal, and that is a position that should be celebrated rather than questioned. The future of European football is being written by players like Nusa, and they are writing it with flair, confidence, and an undeniable talent for beating defenders.