What is a nutmeg in football? Players that are famous for their nutmeg skills

Beyond the goals themselves, football’s appeal also lies in the beauty of individual skill, which can stir genuine emotion among fans. The game often feels like a form of art, with players acting as creators, using their feet to shape moments of brilliance through dribbling, passing and finishing. Among these techniques, the nutmeg stands out. It not only entertains the crowd but can also leave the opponent on the receiving end feeling exposed. So what exactly is a nutmeg in football? Soccer24 will answer that question in this article.

What is a nutmeg in football?

In simple terms, a nutmeg occurs when a player deliberately plays the ball through an opponent’s legs and regains possession on the other side, either personally or via a teammate. When executed cleanly, it allows the attacker to bypass the defender in one swift movement, often leaving them wrong-footed and briefly unable to react.

The terminology, however, has an origin that goes well beyond the pitch. According to widely accepted accounts, including references from the Oxford English Dictionary, the phrase dates back to 19th-century trade practices. Nutmeg was a valuable commodity at the time, and some traders were known to deceive buyers by mixing wooden imitations into genuine shipments. As a result, to be “nutmegged” became slang for being tricked or made to look foolish, particularly through a lapse in attention.

By the early 20th century, the expression had found its way into football, where it came to describe the act of a player being outwitted by a ball played through their legs. In certain regions, the move is also referred to as a “tunnel” or, in street football culture, a “panna,” though the essence remains the same.

Players that are famous for their nutmeg skills

5. Juan Román Riquelme

Often labelled “the last true No.10” or “the last romantic,” Juan Román Riquelme built his reputation as the link between midfield and attack. His game rested on control and rhythm, with an ability to slow play to his own tempo. In that context, the nutmeg was not just a trick but a calculated response to overzealous defending, used to expose opponents who pressed too tightly.

One moment that captured this came in a heated Superclásico between Boca Juniors and River Plate in the Copa Libertadores. Pinned near the touchline with his back to goal, Riquelme calmly dragged the ball through the legs of Mario Yepes before turning away.

His honours largely came in South America, including three Copa Libertadores titles, an Intercontinental Cup triumph over Real Madrid, and five Argentine league titles, underlining his enduring influence.

4. Neymar Jr.

Often seen as the final embodiment of Brazil’s attacking flair, Neymar has built his reputation on a style defined by improvisation and technical brilliance. Shaped by futsal and the rhythm of ginga, his game blends close control with instinctive creativity. In that sense, the nutmeg becomes more than a practical solution. It is a statement, used not only to beat defenders but to unsettle them mentally.

At his peak with FC Barcelona, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, he played a central role in a side that swept Europe and secured the 2014/15 treble. Nutmegs became a regular feature of his play, often drawing a mix of amusement and disbelief from the crowd.

Now back at Santos FC, he is entering the latter stage of his career while still aiming to feature for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.

 

3. Luis Suárez

While players such as Neymar or Ronaldinho often treat the nutmeg as a form of expression, Luis Suárez applies it with ruthless efficiency. For him, the gap between a defender’s legs is simply the quickest route to goal.

His approach is far from decorative. Suárez relies on strength and timing, using his body to shield possession, disrupt balance and then slip the ball through at the precise moment a defender commits. One of the most memorable examples came against David Luiz during UEFA Champions League action in 2015, when he executed the move twice in the same match.

It was a display that underlined his clinical edge. Over the years, Suárez has built a record to match, standing among the most decorated forwards of his era and one of the few to interrupt the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Golden Shoe race.

2. Lionel Messi

Widely regarded as one of the finest left-footed players the game has seen, Lionel Messi has turned the nutmeg into a routine yet devastating weapon. His execution is rarely about showmanship. Instead, it reflects efficiency and timing, shaped by his low centre of gravity and explosive first step.

Messi’s use of the move often stems from subtle details. A slight shift of the shoulders or a quick change in body angle is enough to draw a defender into overcommitting. Once that moment arrives, the ball is already beyond them. His acceleration over short distances allows him to exploit the smallest gaps before opponents can recover.

A notable example came against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, when he slipped the ball through James Milner near the touchline with effortless ease.

Across his career, Messi’s consistency and success have seen him collect virtually every major honour available in the sport.

1. Ronaldinho

When discussing the true spirit of the nutmeg, the conversation inevitably leads to Ronaldinho. Unlike others who deploy the move out of necessity, he used it as a form of expression, bringing joy to both teammates and supporters. Rooted in futsal and Brazil’s samba-influenced approach, his style combined balance, improvisation and flair.

Ronaldinho’s repertoire was rich, from the elastico to no-look passes and deft flicks, yet the nutmeg remained a constant feature whenever defenders closed in too eagerly. Crucially, he delivered these moments on the biggest stages. During the 2002 World Cup quarter-final against England, he embarrassed Steven Gerrard, while his performances for FC Barcelona against Real Madrid in 2005 left defenders such as Sergio Ramos chasing shadows. That same year, he was crowned the world’s best player.

Players that are famous for their nutmeg skills

5. Juan Román Riquelme

4. Neymar Jr.

3. Luis Suárez

2. Lionel Messi

1. Ronaldinho

Soccer24.net has answered the question: “What is a nutmeg in football?” and presented some players that are famous for their nutmeg skills.

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