The Joy of Tekkers

Amazing Skills of the Modern Game

Animations by Case Jernigan

April 7, 2016

The Bolasie Flick

The art of invention is alive in Crystal Palace's Yannick Bolasie, who bamboozled Christian Eriksen when he debuted this stunning trick in 2014.

Douglas Costa's Rainbow

Douglas Costa took the ultimate showboating move mainstream when the brilliant Brazilian pulled it off in the colours of Bayern Munich in 2015.

The Ighalo Scoop

So good it has its own Twitter account, Odion Ighalo's scoop—also known as the "Iggy Chop"—has made the Watford man a modern tekkers icon during the 2015-16 Premier League season.

The Ronaldo Chop

Cristiano Ronaldo's trademark move is an abrupt rabona chop that buys him space and propels the Real Madrid star on a dramatic new angle of attack. This goal was scored against Espanyol in January.

Alex Morgan's Drag-Back Nutmeg

U.S. World Cup winner Alex Morgan spliced together two classic moves to leave French defender Wendie Renard staring at the dirt in disbelief in 2015.

Neymar's Double Sombrero

Neymar's flair for improvisation and dazzling speed of thought produced this imperious escape from tight quarters against Peru in 2015.

Messi's Shoulder Drop

Lionel Messi left Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng sprawling on the turf when he dropped a shoulder and exploded toward goal in 2015.

Willian's Elastico

Perfecting a trick mastered by his Brazilian compatriot Ronaldinho, Willian snaked between two Turkey defenders with an explosive elastico in 2014.

The Busquets Drag-Back

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is a master of manufacturing space, as demonstrated by the drag-back he has perfected to buy time on the ball.

Ozil's Chewing-Gum Trick

As if Mesut Ozil juggling gum wasn't enough to impress us, the Arsenal and Germany star volleyed it at a camera lense in a viral Adidas ad that won the Internet earlier this year.