Definition of Tiki-Taka

What is the meaning of Tiki-Taka in the game of football?

Tiki-Taka (spelled tiqui-taca in Spanish) is an elegant style of play in football, characterized by quick, short passing and maintenance of ball possession.

Barcelona FC and the Spanish national side of recent years are the two most famous teams that utilized the tiki-taka. At the heart of both teams were Barca's La Masia youth academy graduates Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, players who had the touch, vision and class to precisely execute each probing pass and as a result torment the opposing teams' defenses.

One of the most famous displays of tiki-taka football is the Euro 2012 final, where Spain outclassed Italy with the score of 4-0, winning their second consecutive Euro Cup. Spain of course also won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 playing tiki-taka.

A player that should not be left out of an article about tiki-taka football, is another La Masia graduate, the one and only Lionel Messi, who won three UEFA Champions League trophies with a tiki-taka playing Barcelona FC.

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Tiki-taka is also a Spanish juggling toy (Clackers in English).