Moses Simon, the Super Eagles’ dynamic winger, concluded the 2024/2025 French Ligue 1 season with a flourish, leading the league in successful take-ons. His tally of 65 successful dribbles underscores his impact on Nantes’ attack, despite the team’s underwhelming 13th-place finish. Simon’s individual brilliance shone through a season marred by inconsistency for Les Canaris, who secured a mere eight victories against 14 defeats. His offensive contributions, including eight goals and ten assists in 32 appearances, proved crucial for a team struggling to find its footing in the competitive French top flight. Beyond his statistical prowess, Simon reached personal milestones, celebrating his 200th and 201st appearances for Nantes, solidifying his status as a key figure in the club’s recent history.
Simon’s dominance in the take-on category was substantial, finishing five clear of second-placed Gaetan Perrin of Auxerre. This highlights not only his technical skill and agility but also his tactical importance to Nantes, often relying on his individual ability to break down opposing defenses. This gap further emphasizes Simon’s effectiveness in one-on-one situations and his ability to create opportunities from individual efforts, a valuable asset in a league known for its tactical discipline and defensive solidity. His ability to consistently bypass defenders served as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Nantes and showcases his potential to influence matches at a high level.
Trailing Simon in the take-on rankings were a mix of established names and emerging talents. Paris Saint-Germain’s promising youngster, Desire Doue, secured third place alongside Strasbourg’s Diego Moreira, both with 57 successful take-ons. Himad Abdelli of Angers also registered 57 successful take-ons, emphasizing the diverse range of players contributing to this attacking statistic across the league. The presence of both young prospects and seasoned professionals in this category showcases the dynamic nature of Ligue 1, where individual skill and flair can thrive alongside tactical organization.
Further down the list, established Premier League loanee Mason Greenwood, playing for Olympique Marseille, recorded 54 successful take-ons, highlighting his adaptation to the French league and his continued ability to take on defenders. Farid El Melali of Angers added another 52 completed dribbles to the tally, illustrating his own attacking contributions despite his team’s struggles. The diversity of teams represented in the top ten further underscores the league-wide importance of individual skill in creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Rounding out the top ten were Luis Henrique of Olympique Marseille with 51 take-ons, Yann Gboho of Toulouse with 50, and Maghnes Akliouche of AS Monaco, also with 50. Gboho’s strong finish to the season, including a goal and an assist in a victory against relegated St. Etienne, complemented his impressive take-on numbers. Akliouche’s contributions of five goals and ten assists further demonstrated his all-around attacking prowess for Monaco. These performances highlight the multifaceted nature of attacking midfielders in modern football, requiring not just dribbling skills but also creative passing and goal-scoring abilities.
Despite the challenging season for Nantes, Moses Simon’s individual accomplishments offer a positive takeaway for the club and its supporters. His league-leading take-on statistic indicates his continued development and his ability to consistently perform at a high level. This individual brilliance, even within a struggling team, sets a strong foundation for future seasons and suggests that with improved team performance, Simon’s individual skills could translate into greater collective success for Nantes. His performance serves as a testament to his dedication and his potential to be a decisive player in Ligue 1 for years to come.
