Dries Mertens

Belgium · Second striker (Left winger) · Gen 3 · Messi & Ronaldo · Peak 2016-2020

Nimble forward reinvented as a false nine with sharp movement and curling shots

Nicknames Ciro

78.9OVR#258 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

“Mertens is a great player who can make the difference as a winger or a centre-forward.”
— Maurizio Sarri, Napoli coach · source

Category averages

  • Speed83.7
  • Shooting78.3
  • Passing78.6
  • Ball Control84.3
  • Movement80.0
  • Football IQ83.0
  • Defending Skill33.7
  • Physical71.1
  • Mental78.3
  • Career77.6

Top 10 attributes

  1. Agility92
  2. Loyalty90
  3. Acceleration88
  4. Change of Pace88
  5. Balance88
  6. Reactions88
  7. Dribbling Speed86
  8. Finishing86
  9. Curve86
  10. Shooting Creativity86

Real records

These ratings are set from the measured data below.

All 64 attributes

Speed 83.7

  • Top Speed84
  • Acceleration88
  • Dribbling Speed86
  • Top Speed with Ball80
  • Knock-on & Run76
  • Change of Pace88

Shooting 78.3

  • Finishing86
  • Shot Power80
  • Long Shots82
  • Volleys82
  • Curve86
  • Penalties ●81
  • Heading44
  • Direct Free Kicks80
  • Shooting Creativity86
  • Acrobatics76

Passing 78.6

  • Short Passing82
  • Long Passing70
  • Through Balls82
  • Crossing72
  • Link-up Play86
  • Vision84
  • Set-Piece Delivery74

Ball Control 84.3

  • Dribbling86
  • Possession86
  • First Touch86
  • Skills & Tricks84
  • Weak Foot82
  • Press Resistance82

Movement 80.0

  • Off-the-Ball Movement86
  • Runs in Behind84
  • Attacking Positioning86
  • Anticipation84
  • Recovery Runs60

Football IQ 83.0

  • Decision Making84
  • Spatial Awareness84
  • Game Management78
  • Tactical Creativity86

Defending Skill 33.7

  • Defensive Positioning42
  • Marking30
  • Interceptions36
  • Standing Tackle40
  • Sliding Tackle28
  • Offside Trap26

Physical 71.1

  • Strength48
  • Stamina82
  • Agility92
  • Balance88
  • Recovery84
  • Reactions88
  • Hold-up Play48
  • Aerial Duels40
  • Aggression70

Mental 78.3

  • Big-Game Temperament74
  • Leadership78
  • Selflessness82
  • Concentration78
  • Determination82
  • Tactical Discipline76

Career 77.6

  • Consistency82
  • Longevity84
  • Achievements52
  • Durability80
  • Loyalty90

Profile

Born
6 May 1987
Height
169 cm
Foot
Right
Career
2005–2024
Prime
2016-2020

Club career

  • 2005–2006 Gent
  • 2006–2007 Eendracht Aalst (loan)
  • 2007–2009 AGOVV Apeldoorn
  • 2009–2011 FC Utrecht
  • 2011–2013 PSV Eindhoven
  • 2013–2022 Napoli
  • 2022–2024 Galatasaray

Honours

League title · Süper Lig Galatasaray 3

2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25

Coppa Italia 2

2013–14, 2019–20

KNVB Cup 1

2011–12

Supercoppa Italiana 1

2014

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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