Ranking the top 5 left-wingers in world football
Left-wingers are some of the most exciting players on the pitch because of the natural attributes they possess that make them suitable for the role. Usually, these players are pacey, direct, and have some lovely dribbling moves up their sleeves.
In the past, several greats have dominated games playing from the left side. Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, and Franck Ribery all had the tendency to drift off to the left side before making inward runs. However, the game has progressed to a more position-based approach in the present day, meaning most wingers are not supposed to cut in as per their team’s setup.
In the modern game, wingers usually switch their sides or cut to central positions only in the final third, giving their team an additional option to play the ball during a crossing situation. Multiple big clubs rely on this role as their outlet from being pressed, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the five best left wingers in world football.
5. Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal | Brazil
Gabriel Martinelli was one of the most highly-rated talents in Brazil before he joined Arsenal in July 2019 for a £6 million fee from Ituano. Former manager Unai Emery used him multiple times at the start of the 2019-20 season, playing both as a winger as well as a striker on the odd occasion.
Blessed with electric pace and quick footwork, Martinelli is a handful for defenders and can beat them on either side. He also has a powerful right foot which can unleash both curling and lace shots, making him a big threat when he cuts in from the flank. He can also cross the ball well with both feet.
Aged just 22, he has already made 168 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 41 goals and providing 24 assists.
4. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli | Georgia
Kvaratskhelia broke onto the scene with Napoli last year as they won the Serie A in remarkably dominant fashion. His attacking partnership with striker Victor Osimhen helped the team terrorize defences across Europe last season.
The Georgian has incredible pace and directness which he uses to get into dangerous areas in and around the box. From there, he can either attempt shots on goal or play the ball to a teammate with his passing ability. Last season, he made 43 appearances for Napoli across competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing 17 assists.
Overall, the 23-year-old has made 83 appearances for Napoli, scoring 24 goals and providing 25 assists.
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3. Rafael Leao | AC Milan | Portugal
Rafael Leao is probably among the best left wingers in soccer. He plays the game with a sense of nonchalance that makes his actions look effortless. Standing at nearly six-foot-three, Leao is blessed with incredible power and is fairly quick, allowing him to use his long strides to get past opponents on the flank.
Despite having a big frame, the Portuguese is amazingly agile and uses that to his benefit. He is also gifted with acrobatic abilities that allow him to score stunning goals or even use his body to control difficult passes. Still only 24, Leao has plenty of time ahead of him to develop more skills, and perhaps even move to another club to progress his career.
He joined AC Milan in August 2019 from Lille and has made 204 appearances for the club, scoring 56 goals and providing 49 assists.
2. Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid | Brazil
Touted to be the ideal successor for Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Vinicius has slowly but surely made that spot his own in the team. A quick winger with the ability to use both feet equally well, Vinicius can also dribble the ball well and run past defenders using his pace.
He has a huge fighting spirit which does not let him give up easily, making him one of the best left wingers of all time to watch in world football. Having come from the favelas of Brazil, he possesses a natural flair for the game which has often seen him get kicked and fouled by frustrated opponents.
Aged just 23, he has achieved great heights in his career already. Vini Jr. has made 256 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 77 goals and providing 74 assists.
1. Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | France
The undisputed number one left winger in the world is undoubtedly Kylian Mbappe. Earlier touted as a striker, he has preferred sticking to the left flank and drifts inwards to create goalscoring opportunities.
The Frenchman’s style of play is remarkably similar to Thierry Henry’s in terms of movement, finishing and positioning. The major difference between the two being their frames and how they used them. However, Mbappe’s pace and attacking smarts allow him to beat defenders with ease as he runs into space behind them. He can strike the ball well with both feet but is not very good in the air. Mbappe is most effective when he plays facing the goal and hence mostly plays as a winger.
The 25-year-old has made 302 appearances for the Parisians, scoring an eye-watering 253 goals and providing 107 assists as well.
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