What is Lionel Messi’s signature move? Ask a hundred defenders and most will describe the same thing: Messi running at them with the ball glued to his left foot, a quick drop of the shoulder, a burst of acceleration, and a cut inside onto his left to shoot or slip a pass. It looks simple. It’s almost impossible to stop.
Some people searching for Messi’s signature move mean his goal celebration: pointing both hands to the sky, a tribute he has dedicated to his late grandmother, Celia. This guide focuses on the move with the ball: how it works, why it works, and how to practise it.
Messi’s Signature Move, Step by Step
- Attack the defender at speed with small, quick touches on the left foot. The ball is never more than a few inches away.
- Get low. Messi’s low centre of gravity lets him change direction faster than taller defenders.
- Feint. A drop of the shoulder or a tiny touch suggests he’s going one way.
- Change direction sharply with the inside or outside of the left foot as the defender shifts their weight.
- Accelerate. The burst of pace after the cut is what really beats the defender.
- Finish the action. Curl a shot into the far corner, or slide a pass to a teammate once defenders collapse on him.
Why Is Messi’s Move So Hard to Stop?
- Touch: because the ball is always close, he can change direction at any moment.
- Timing: he moves when the defender commits, not before.
- Change of pace: slow, then explosive. Defenders can’t match the acceleration.
- Decision-making: if defenders over-commit to stop the dribble, he passes. If they stand off, he shoots.
Even top defenders have been left on the floor. In the 2015 Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, Messi famously sent Jérôme Boateng tumbling with a sharp change of direction before chipping the ball over Manuel Neuer.
How to Defend Against a Messi-Style Dribbler
Coaches often ask the other side of the question. The best advice: don’t dive in. Stay on your feet, shuffle back, try to show the attacker onto their weaker foot, and wait for support. Patience is the defender’s best weapon against a player with great close control.
Drill: Learn Messi’s Cut and Go
- Close control slalom (5 minutes): dribble through a line of cones using only your stronger foot, inside and outside touches.
- Shoulder drop and cut (5 minutes): approach a cone, drop the shoulder, cut the opposite way and accelerate for 5 yards.
- Cut inside and shoot (5 minutes): start wide right, dribble at a cone, cut inside and curl a shot at the far post.
- 1v1 game (10 minutes): attacker vs defender in a narrow channel. Reward the attacker for beating the defender with a change of direction.
Common Mistakes
- Touching the ball too far ahead: close control is everything.
- No acceleration after the cut: the change of pace is the move.
- Standing too upright: get low to change direction quickly.
- Forcing it every time: sometimes the best option is the pass.
The Ball Mastery Behind Messi’s Dribbling
Messi’s dribbling is the result of thousands of hours of close control, the same foundation we teach first at Coerver Coaching. Daily ball mastery builds the soft touch and quick feet that make a move like this possible at game speed.
Want more Messi? Read how to play like Messi, about Messi’s body feints, and Messi’s vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Messi’s signature move?
His close-control dribble at speed, with a feint, sharp change of direction and acceleration, usually cutting inside onto his left foot.
What is Messi’s signature celebration?
Pointing both hands to the sky, a tribute he has dedicated to his late grandmother, Celia.
Which foot does Messi use?
Messi is left-footed, though he uses his right foot when needed.
Want to pull off moves like these?
Coerver Moves breaks down the 1v1 moves the world’s best players use, step by step on video, so you can practise them at home and use them in games.
