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(This is an updated version of a story that was first published in April 2022.)<\/em><\/p>\n It was in his own half, using the outside of his foot, following an audacious nutmeg.<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal showed his incredible ability once again with a perfect pass against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. The only thing that could have made it better was his team-mate\u2019s finish.<\/p>\n But where does it rank in the pantheon of passes?<\/p>\n Here, The Athletic<\/em>\u2019s writers salute the best they\u2019ve ever seen, starting with the 18-year-old\u2019s effort.<\/p>\n Let us know your<\/em> nominations for football\u2019s greatest pass ever played in the comments below\u2026<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal \u2014 to Fermin Lopez, Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona, La Liga, April 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n There were gasps of amazement from the Metropolitano crowd as Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal took one perfect touch to pluck the ball out of the air, then another to slip it nonchalantly through the legs of his unfortunate marker, Nico Gonzalez.<\/p>\n While most supporters were still marvelling at what they had just witnessed, Yamal had already spotted Fermin Lopez\u2019s run behind the Atletico defence.<\/p>\n With his next touch, he used the outside of his left boot to curve a perfectly weighted ball around Clement Lenglet to set Lopez clear in behind. The \u2018trivela\u2019 pass is a speciality of his<\/a>, and this one, despite being launched from inside his own half, was inch-perfect.<\/p>\n LAMINE YAMAL. pic.twitter.com\/X0wg5T7Zvx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 LALIGA (@LaLiga) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The midfielder missed the chance, but it was a phenomenal moment from Yamal, who is still a teenager and capable of pretty much anything on a football pitch.<\/p>\n Dermot Corrigan<\/em><\/p>\n Christian Eriksen<\/a> \u2014 to Dele Alli<\/a>, Tottenham<\/a> vs Chelsea, FA Cup semi-final, April 2017\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s probably been exaggerated in my mind because I was lucky enough to be there to see it live, but it\u2019s still one of my favourites.<\/p>\n Thirty-five yards from goal, facing a back line that is properly set and \u2014 still \u2014 Eriksen drops a shallow cross in perfectly so it is between centre-back and goalkeeper, and also into Dele Alli\u2019s stride.<\/p>\n Sidenote: I think (hope) it\u2019s the only time I abandoned press-box decorum in showing a reaction to a goal.<\/p>\n Seb Stafford-Bloor<\/em><\/p>\n Stephen McPhail \u2014 to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Leeds United vs Derby County, Premier League<\/a>, March 1998\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Phil Hay has already written about why this is Leeds United\u2019s third-greatest goal of all time<\/a> \u2014 and it is all about a cracker of a pass, a young midfielder announcing himself with a ball from the gods.<\/p>\n The way he plays this pass over the top perfectly into the path of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, after only a touch and a glance, speaks for the quality Stephen McPhail had on the ball.<\/p>\n With a bit more pace, he would have been a star. As it is, this is the moment that defined his career.<\/p>\n Seen a lot of people recommending great films, TV shows etc to cope with quarantine. My pick? This Stephen McPhail pass on loop for the next 18 months pic.twitter.com\/xeeOpwwg8A<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Amitai Winehouse (@awinehouse1) March 17, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Amitai Winehouse<\/em><\/p>\n Dennis Bergkamp \u2014 to Freddie Ljungberg, Arsenal<\/a> vs Juventus<\/a>, Champions League, December 2001<\/strong><\/p>\n This one\u2019s all about time \u2014 and how Dennis Bergkamp managed to hit the pause button.<\/p>\n In a 2001-02 Champions League second group-stage game against Juventus at Highbury, the Dutchman receives the ball on the edge of the box and is immediately pressed by two defenders.<\/p>\n Using all his craft, he holds them off before picking the perfect moment to play a sumptuous outside-of-the-boot flick into the path of the arriving Freddie Ljungberg, who lifts the ball into the net.<\/p>\n Bergkamp knows what, and who, he is waiting for \u2014 and makes sure the ball is in the perfect place at exactly the right time.<\/p>\n ✋ Stop whatever you\u2019re doing and watch! #OnThisDay<\/a> in 2001, Dennis Bergkamp did THIS to set up @Freddie<\/a> against Juventus 😱<\/p>\n Genius at work 🐐 pic.twitter.com\/pGRsQAXJpn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 4, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sarah Shephard<\/em><\/p>\n Benjamin Pavard \u2014 to Carlos Mane, Stuttgart vs Greuther Furth, Bundesliga 2, October 2016<\/b><\/p>\n The greatest pass ever played found its unlikely stage in the German second division. This was Benjamin Pavard before the sweet strike against Argentina that was voted the finest goal of the 2018 World Cup, Pavard before the big-money move from Stuttgart to Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n He cuts five defenders out of the game with one fizzed 50m pass, hitting Carlos Mane in stride, whose scruffy finish only amplifies Pavard\u2019s genius. Hang it in the Louvre.<\/p>\n Benjamin Pavard might have played the most beautiful pass we\u2019ve ever seen 😍 pic.twitter.com\/bDZlc7AeHk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 9, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Jacob Whitehead<\/em><\/p>\n Frank de Boer \u2014 to Dennis Bergkamp, Netherlands vs Argentina, World Cup quarter-final, July 1998\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Four days after knocking 10-man England<\/a> out of France \u201898 on penalties, dastardly Argentina face the Dutch in the last eight.<\/p>\n A thrilling contest in Marseille is heading for extra time at 1-1 when Frank de Boer gets on the ball in the left-back position with nothing much going on. But he looks up and sees something nobody else does. Watching it, you can almost see the little twitch of realisation before he readies himself, then propels the ball forward like a golf shot.<\/p>\n With pinpoint accuracy, it sails over everyone and comes down in the corner of the penalty area.<\/p>\n Dennis Bergkamp controls the ball, flicks it past a defender, and fires home the winner. Orange eruption.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/sMElyQfsPG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CFS VIDEO (@CFSEXTRATIME) May 7, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Joey D\u2019Urso<\/em><\/p>\n Guti \u2014 to Karim Benzema, Real Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruna, La Liga, January 2010<\/strong><\/p>\n Best pass I\u2019ve ever seen? That\u2019s a tough one when Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne<\/a> and many others could supply extensive portfolios of their best work.<\/p>\n Yet the most implausible piece of brilliance<\/a> goes back to a game in La Liga 12 years ago between Deportivo La Coruna and visitors Real Madrid.<\/p>\n Guti is through on goal at the Riazor. Will he dink it over goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia? Maybe slip it between his legs? No, Guti tries something that I have never seen before \u2014 or since. It\u2019s the most ridiculously brilliant backheel you will ever see.<\/p>\n Aranzubia is stranded. Karim Benzema is running in from behind (though how Guti knows that is a mystery) and puts the ball into the empty net.<\/p>\n This backheel assist was\u2026 GUTI-LICIOUS. 😅@GUTY14HAZ<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AtNBF4VEfL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 24, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Daniel Taylor<\/em><\/p>\n Steven Gerrard \u2014 to Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool<\/a> vs Fulham<\/a>, Premier League, February 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n Liverpool are losing 1-0 just before half-time away to Fulham in a game they must win to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.<\/p>\n Steven Gerrard pounces on a loose ball in the centre circle, has a glance up, and dispatches an exquisite first-time through ball with the outside of his right boot to release Daniel Sturridge.<\/p>\n The pace on the ball and the spin that makes it curve into his path ensure Sturridge doesn\u2019t even need to break stride.<\/p>\n The pass got the finish it deserved. The vision and the execution from Gerrard were extraordinary.<\/p>\n James Pearce<\/em><\/p>\n Eric Cantona \u2014 to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United<\/a> vs West Ham, Premier League, December 1996<\/strong><\/p>\n Every time I watch this pass, I just cannot believe it\u2019s possible. The angle, the weight, the spatial awareness \u2014 all done with typical nonchalance.<\/p>\n And like any great pass, it comes with a message to the striker telling him exactly what to do once the ball lands at his feet.<\/p>\n A moment of genius from Eric Cantona.<\/p>\n Charlie Eccleshare<\/em><\/p>\n Kevin De Bruyne \u2014 to Leroy Sane, Manchester City<\/a> vs Stoke City, Premier League, October 2017<\/b><\/p>\n The easy pass here is out wide to Gabriel Jesus<\/a>. A slightly trickier ball would be through the channel to Raheem Sterling<\/a>. But Kevin De Bruyne isn\u2019t about the easy option. Never has been.<\/p>\n Instead, the Belgian gets out his mental protractor and proceeds to take four defenders out of the game with an outrageous through ball to Leroy Sane.<\/p>\n Sane doesn\u2019t have to take a touch before finishing past Jack Butland<\/a>, such is the perfect weight of the pass, and the Etihad Stadium crowd erupts, knowing it has just witnessed a man at the peak of his powers.<\/p>\n De Bruyne\u2019s talent is so exceptional that you almost expect a moment like that whenever you watch him play. This, however, was a pass on a different plane \u2014 one you could never grow tired of watching.<\/p>\n Youri Tielemans<\/a> \u2014 to Kelechi Iheanacho<\/a>, Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion, Premier League, March 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n The first touch seemed to take him in one direction, but the second touch shifted the ball back in another.<\/p>\n Youri Tielemans appears to look towards the right flank, but he has already seen the pass in his mind. He has spotted Kelechi Iheanacho\u2019s feint to step forward on his marker, Brighton\u2019s Lewis Dunk, and then his turn in behind, so he doesn\u2019t need to telegraph his intentions by looking again as he delivers an inch-perfect, defence-splitting no-look pass for the striker to equalise in Leicester\u2019s 2-1 win at the Amex Stadium.<\/p>\n Iheanacho\u2019s confident finish just complemented what Jamie Redknapp, who was a more than decent passer in his day, described as the pass of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cHe made no mistake\u201d ✅<\/p>\n It\u2019s a brilliant pass from Tielemans and it\u2019s expertly finished off by Iheanacho 🇳🇬<\/p>\n It\u2019s goals in back-to-back games for Iheanacho ⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com\/bfetgfXrae<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Rob Tanner<\/em><\/p>\n Kaka \u2014 to Hernan Crespo, Milan vs Liverpool, Champions League final, May 2005<\/strong><\/p>\n People often say that every time they watch Paul Gascoigne\u2019s point-blank miss in extra time of the England vs Germany Euro \u201896 semi-final, they think he\u2019s going to score.<\/p>\n For me, the pass Kaka plays for Hernan Crespo\u2019s goal to make it 3-0 to Milan in the 2005 Champions League final is the same way: every time I see it, I\u2019m convinced Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is going to cut it out.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the speed that\u2019s most astonishing: Kaka collects the ball in his own half, sends Steven Gerrard for a sandwich with a perfect flick, then has about a quarter of a second to assess his options.<\/p>\n He processes these at the speed of a supercomputer, spots the two-yard channel that is the only ground-level route to Crespo\u2019s run, and somehow threads the ball through with enough pace to evade Carragher\u2019s lunge.<\/p>\n It\u2019s so good, you barely even notice Crespo then applying one of the best finishes a Champions League final has ever seen.<\/p>\n A laser-guided assist for Hernan Crespo in a Champions League final. 👏<\/p>\n Kaka was a visionary. 👀 pic.twitter.com\/ykiPxb0U8r<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 22, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nick Miller<\/em><\/p>\n Francesco Totti \u2014 to Damiano Tommasi, Roma vs Chievo, Serie A, December 2001<\/strong><\/p>\n Frankly, this isn\u2019t a serious list without the inclusion of Francesco Totti.<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to pick one in particular among the backheels and his famous first-time, round-the-corner passes. But I\u2019m going for this vintage assist for Damiano Tommasi against Chievo back when Roma were last champions.<\/p>\n Look at the poise, how he waits for the midfield runner and then takes out eight<\/em> Chievo players.<\/p>\n Ridiculous.<\/p>\n David Silva \u2014 to Edin Dzeko, Manchester City vs Manchester United, Premier League, October 2011<\/b><\/p>\n A genius moment, from a special player, in one of the Premier League\u2019s most memorable matches.<\/p>\n Manchester City are winning 5-1 in stoppage time as Old Trafford empties and the away fans gleefully do the Poznan.<\/p>\n A looped ball forward is headed by Manchester United defender Chris Smalling straight to David Silva on the right side of the pitch and inside his own half.<\/p>\n The Spaniard controls the ball in the air with an impeccable first touch before hitting an exquisite volleyed pass with his second straight into the path of Edin Dzeko, who rifles home City\u2019s sixth.<\/p>\n ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️<\/p>\n WATCH: https:\/\/t.co\/A8RX1QNM3X<\/a><\/p>\n 🔵 #CityzensAtHome<\/a> #ManCity<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DdFBhh2sTB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Manchester City (@ManCity) April 11, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Tom Burrows<\/em><\/p>\n Lionel Messi \u2014 to Luis Suarez, Barcelona vs Celta Vigo, La Liga, February 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n Lionel Messi\u2019s penalty pass to Luis Suarez on Valentine\u2019s Day six years ago has to be one of the most loving balls ever played.<\/p>\n Messi is about to score his 300th league goal from the penalty spot but putts<\/em> the ball to his team-mate instead.<\/p>\n When you watch Messi in the flesh, you hope to see something magic, something you will never forget. This 6-1 win over Celta Vigo was filled with such memory-box moments.<\/p>\n He opened the scoring with a free kick, dinked another assist for Suarez, and dribbled in and out of Vigo\u2019s defence \u2014 but it was this short and cheeky pass, originally intended for Neymar, that has stayed with me.<\/p>\n Leo #Messi<\/a> and @LuisSuarez9<\/a> have a little experience connecting against Celta \u2026 pic.twitter.com\/iodPn6Wz9v<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 27, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Caoimhe O\u2019Neill<\/em><\/p>\n Cesc Fabregas \u2014 to Andre Schurrle, Chelsea vs Burnley<\/a>, Premier League, August 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n Can I praise a former Chelsea player, considering my loyalty to West Ham? Oh, go on then.<\/p>\n Cesc Fabregas\u2019 assist for Andre Schurrle, struck 20 minutes into his Chelsea debut and previously acclaimed by my colleague Simon Johnson<\/a>, remains the best pass I have ever seen.<\/p>\n When Branislav Ivanovic crosses the ball to him, Fabregas could attempt a shot, but he spots Schurrle\u2019s run in behind the Burnley defence and plays a ridiculously great ball for his team-mate, who scores.<\/p>\n This move highlights why the Spaniard is widely considered among the very best passers of the Premier League era.<\/p>\n .@cesc4official<\/a> talks us through THAT assist against Burnley\u2026 🎯 pic.twitter.com\/LiB0JVTc4k<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 12, 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Roshane Thomas<\/em><\/p>\n Luka Modric \u2014 to Rodrygo, Real Madrid vs Chelsea, Champions League quarter-final, April 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n The yin to Barca\u2019s yang, there has to be a Real Madrid equivalent of a \u2018trivela\u2019 pass to rival Yamal\u2019s effort \u2014 and arguably none are finer than this from the transcendent genius Luka Modric.<\/p>\n The Croatian midfielder struck his outside-of-the-boot effort so that it looped not only between two Chelsea defenders, but perfectly on to the right foot of team-mate Rodrygo to level the aggregate score at 4-4 in the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n Modric\u2019s Brazilian team-mate didn\u2019t even have to adjust his run after Modric \u2014 despite the pressure, despite the stage \u2014 produced a pass of absolute genius. It put Real Madrid<\/a> on course for a rollercoaster extra-time victory before lifting the trophy later that year.<\/p>\n That ball from Modric! 😱<\/p>\n Unbelievable!<\/p>\n Chelsea held their lead for a matter of minutes\u2026 It\u2019s now 4-4 on aggregate! #UCL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vOi8K6Vf9z<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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