“I had the most nutmeg in Europe” – Super Eagles dribbler reveals Ronaldinho inspiration

The Nigerian international is one of the most skilful footballers in the Premier League and arguably on the continent

Super Eagles attacker Emmanuel Dennis has revealed that he draws his dribbling inspiration from Brazil’s great Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

Ronaldinho is widely regarded as one of the most gifted players of his generation.

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year award winner, however, retired from the game in 2015, when Dennis was still a teenager learning his art at the Kwara Football Academy in Ilorin.

Dennis has confessed, though, that he enjoyed watching Ronaldinho at the time and that his love for football could be traced to the former Barcelona playmaker’s dribbling ability.

Dribbling has also become one of Dennis’s most defined qualities. While he was at struggling Watford last season, the Nigerian international was the Premier League’s nutmeg king.

With 21 nutmegs, Dennis finished atop the division’s nutmeg chart with twenty-one, ahead of Leeds United’s Raphinha and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho with 15 apiece.

His significant contribution also saw relegated Watford emerge as the team with the most nutmegs in Europe.

The new Nottingham Forest signing says Forest fans can expect that and more from him this season.

“My idol growing up was Ronaldinho,” Dennis told Nottingham Forest’s official website. “He’s the reason I’m a footballer today.

“I just love everything about that guy and his talent with a football inspires me a lot. When I play, I just like to entertain people and have fun.

“I really like to nutmeg people. I had the most nutmegs in Europe last season which was crazy.

“I just love to have fun on the pitch, but I also want to score goals and add assists.

“I don’t really set targets, I just like to go and play and express myself.”

Forest fans will also hope Dennis brings his goals and assists as he did with Watford last term.

In his only campaign for the Hornets in the English top flight, Dennis scored ten goals and added six assists.