Why is Luis Muriel So Good? A Goals & Skills Breakdown
Why is Luis Muriel one of football's most electrifying talents? We break down the 'Fenomeno's' incredible goals, two-footed skills, and unique impact.
Marco Rossi
European football analyst specializing in Serie A tactics and individual player breakdowns.
There are players who define an era through relentless consistency, and then there are players who define it through moments of pure, unadulterated magic. Luis Muriel belongs firmly in the second category. For years, football fans, particularly those watching Serie A, have been captivated by a forward who possesses a rare, almost nostalgic, blend of explosive power and delicate grace. The comparisons to the legendary Ronaldo Nazário aren't just lazy punditry; they're born from watching him glide past defenders with that same low center of gravity, that same terrifying burst of speed.
Yet, the Colombian attacker has always been something of an enigma. Despite a highlights reel that could rival almost any striker on the planet, he’s often been labeled a "super-sub"—a game-changer from the bench rather than a 90-minute cornerstone. This paradox has led many to ask the same question: if he's so good, why isn't he always starting for a Champions League giant? It’s a valid query, but one that perhaps misses the point of what makes him so special.
This isn't about what Luis Muriel isn't. This is an appreciation of what he is. We're going to break down the specific, jaw-dropping skills and the incredible variety of goals that make him one of the most uniquely talented and watchable forwards of his generation. From thunderous long-range strikes to cheeky, dinked finishes, let's dive into why Luis Muriel is so, so good.
The "Fenomeno" Comparison: More Than Just a Nickname
Let's address it head-on. When a young player gets compared to Ronaldo Nazário—'O Fenomeno'—it's usually a recipe for disappointment. The pressure is immense. But with Muriel, the comparison has stuck for a reason. It's not about matching Ronaldo's legendary career, but about mirroring his distinct physical and technical profile.
Watch Muriel receive the ball and turn. The first thing you notice is the explosive power from a standstill. Like R9, he possesses a stocky, powerful build with an incredibly low center of gravity, making him almost impossible to knock off the ball once he gets moving. His signature move is a sudden, electrifying burst of acceleration that leaves defenders for dead. It’s not just straight-line speed; it’s the ability to change direction at full tilt, the ball seemingly glued to his feet. The way he shimmies his shoulders and feints one way before exploding in the other is a direct echo of the Brazilian master. This physical resemblance is the foundation of his entire game, allowing him to create chaos from nothing.
Technical Mastery: The Muriel Skillset Breakdown
Beyond the raw athleticism, Muriel is a profoundly technical footballer. His ability isn't just about power; it's about a deep well of skills that make him a complete attacking threat.
Dribbling & Close Control
In tight spaces, Muriel is a magician. He uses a series of rapid, tiny touches to manipulate the ball, keeping it just out of the defender's reach. This close control, combined with his strength, allows him to shield the ball effectively and wriggle out of pressure. He doesn't need elaborate step-overs; a simple body feint or a quick drop of the shoulder is enough to unbalance his opponent and create a yard of space—which is all he needs.
Explosive Acceleration
We touched on this, but it deserves its own point. Muriel's acceleration is his trump card. Many players are fast, but few can reach top speed as quickly as he can. This makes him lethal in transition and devastating against a high defensive line. A simple through ball that might be routine for other strikers becomes a goal-scoring opportunity for Muriel, who can eat up the ground between him and the goalkeeper in a heartbeat.
Two-Footed Prowess
A crucial, often-overlooked aspect of his game is his comfort with both feet. While predominantly right-footed, Muriel is more than capable of delivering powerful, accurate shots with his left. This makes him incredibly unpredictable for defenders and goalkeepers. When he cuts inside, they can't simply show him onto his "weaker" side, because that foot is just as likely to unleash a rocket into the top corner. This two-footed ability is a cornerstone of his finishing excellence.
A Finisher of Unbelievable Variety
If you were to create a compilation of Muriel's goals, you'd be struck by the sheer range. He is not a one-trick pony in front of goal; he is a Swiss Army knife of finishing techniques.
The Long-Range Screamers
Muriel possesses frightening power. From 25-30 yards out, he is a genuine threat. He strikes the ball with minimal backlift, generating incredible velocity that often leaves keepers rooted to the spot. These aren't just hopeful punts; they are calculated, technically perfect strikes aimed with venom at the corners of the goal.
Finesse and Placement
For all his power, Muriel has a surgeon's touch. When one-on-one with the keeper, he is remarkably composed. He has a penchant for the delicate chip, lifting the ball over a sprawling goalkeeper with nonchalant ease. He can also bend the ball around the keeper into the far corner, a classic striker's finish that he has perfected. This duality—the ability to blast or place—is what makes him so deadly in the penalty area.
The Set-Piece Specialist
As if his open-play threat wasn't enough, Muriel is also a dead-ball expert. His free-kicks are a perfect metaphor for his overall game. He can hit them with raw, unstoppable power, blasting through the wall, or he can use finesse, curling the ball with precision over the top and into the net. This adds yet another weapon to his already formidable arsenal.
The Super-Sub Enigma: Impact vs. Consistency
So, we return to the big question. Why the "super-sub" tag? During his peak at Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini, Muriel produced some of his most scintillating football, yet often from the bench. The reasons are primarily tactical. Gasperini's system demands an immense, non-stop work rate and intense pressing from his forwards for the full 90 minutes. While Muriel's offensive output is elite, his defensive work rate has been cited as a reason for his rotational role.
However, framing this as a negative is a mistake. Instead, it's a testament to his unique impact. Muriel's explosive, high-octane style is the perfect weapon to unleash against tiring defenders in the final 30 minutes of a match. His ability to single-handedly change a game with a moment of individual brilliance makes him arguably the most valuable impact substitute in modern football. His role wasn't a demotion; it was a strategic deployment of a secret weapon.
Statistical Deep Dive: Beyond the Eye Test
The eye test tells you Muriel is brilliant, but the numbers back it up, especially when viewed through the lens of his role. Looking at his per-90-minute metrics during his most productive seasons reveals an elite attacker.
Let's compare his standout 2020/21 Serie A season with two other top strikers in the league during that period. Note how his goals and assists per 90 minutes are staggeringly high.
| Player | Club | Goals (20/21) | Assists (20/21) | Goals per 90 | Goals+Assists per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Muriel | Atalanta | 22 | 9 | 1.23 | 1.73 |
| Romelu Lukaku | Inter Milan | 24 | 10 | 0.74 | 1.05 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Juventus | 29 | 3 | 0.94 | 1.04 |
Data is for the 2020/21 Serie A season. Muriel's numbers are astronomical because he achieved them in just 1433 minutes, compared to over 2800 for Lukaku and Ronaldo.
The table tells a clear story. While others scored more total goals, no one in Italy—and arguably Europe—was more efficient or impactful on a per-minute basis. He was directly contributing to 1.73 goals every 90 minutes he was on the pitch. This is the statistical proof of the "super-sub" theory: his concentrated bursts of brilliance yielded incredible results.
Conclusion: The Enduring Magic of Lucho
Luis Muriel may never win a Ballon d'Or, and his trophy cabinet may not be as full as other players with a fraction of his talent. But football is about more than just numbers and trophies. It's about moments—moments that make you stand up from your seat, that make you rewind the broadcast, that remind you why you love the beautiful game.
Muriel is a purveyor of those moments. He is a force of nature, a highlight reel in motion, a player whose unique combination of power, skill, and two-footed finishing makes him a rare gem. Whether he's starting a new chapter at Orlando City or coming off the bench to change a game, one thing is certain: when Luis Muriel gets the ball, you stop what you're doing and you watch. And more often than not, you're rewarded with a little bit of magic.