A #nutmeg in football is a skillful move where a player passes or dribbles the ball through the legs of an opponent and retrieves it on the other side. It is considered a way of showing off one's creativity and flair on the pitch. The origin of the term is unclear, but some possible explanations are related to the slang meaning of nuts, the rhyming slang of nutmeg, or the historical practice of adulterating nutmeg exports. ¹²³⁴⁵
Some players who are famous for their nutmegs include Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suárez, and Tobin Heath. ¹² Nutmegging an opponent can be risky, as it requires precise timing, technique, and space. It can also backfire if the player loses possession or gets tackled. Therefore, it is advisable to use the nutmeg only in appropriate situations, such as when the opponent is off balance, running too fast, or blocking the way. ² Nutmegging can also be a fun and challenging game among friends, where the aim is to score as many nutmegs as possible. ⁴.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 07/02/2024
(1) Nutmeg (association football) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmeg_%28association_football%29.
(2) What is a Nutmeg in Soccer? (Full Explanation) - Soccer Coaching Pro. https://www.soccercoachingpro.com/nutmeg-in-soccer/.
(3) What is a nutmeg in football and why is it called so?. https://www.mpl.live/blog/nutmeg-in-football/.
(4) What is a nutmeg in football? Know its meaning and origin - SportsAdda. https://www.sportsadda.com/football/features/nutmeg-in-football.
(5) What Is Nutmegging in Football? | Football Terms. https://graspthegame.com/en-gb/soccer/terms/what-is-nutmegging-in-football/.
(6) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmeg_(association_football).