The best players on the ball almost glide with the ball. They are so subtle with their touches that there is sometimes debates on how many touches they took. Messi scored a goal in the last World Cup this way. He brought the ball down over his shoulder and took a second touch and then finished with his third touch. A debate amongst the foot fairy community ensued on whether it was 2 touch or 3 touch.
Some touches are rigid and firm while the best of the best on the ball are silky and smooth. I'm reminded of a World Cup 94' game when current Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes was comparing the United States goalkeeper Tony Meola's hands to those of Columbias Oscar Cordoba. He talked about how Tony had the sponge hands and Oscar had the brick hands. It's the same with touches on the ball. Brick touches vs. sponge touches.
Some touches are rigid and firm while the best of the best on the ball are silky and smooth. I'm reminded of a World Cup 94' game when current Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes was comparing the United States goalkeeper Tony Meola's hands to those of Columbias Oscar Cordoba. He talked about how Tony had the sponge hands and Oscar had the brick hands. It's the same with touches on the ball. Brick touches vs. sponge touches.