The best left wingers of all time

We've been spoiled over the years with some rather splendid wide forwards.

The kind of players who have made supporters across the globe fall in love with the beautiful game as a result of their electric feet and turbo-charged pace, wingers are those who play football in its purest form.

Whether they prefer hugging the touchline, sprinting to the byline or cutting inside on to their stronger foot, the world's best wide men are nigh on impossible to stop.

That's why we at 90min have decided to compile a list of the best left wingers of all time, with past heroes and modern greats rubbing shoulders below.

25. Piet Keizer

Piet Keizer spent his entire career with one club: Ajax. Part of the sensational Amsterdam side's Total Football history, the left winger spent 13 years in red and white and won the lot during an illustrious stint with his hometown club.

Six Eredivisie titles, five KNVB Cups and three European Cups is not a bad haul, with Keizer also retiring shortly after reaching the World Cup final with the Netherlands in 1974.

24. Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard's career ought to have been more prolific but the bullish Belgian was truly unstoppable on his day. The diminutive winger would glide in and out of challenges with little fuss and is one of the greatest dribblers of the modern era.

He saved his best form for Chelsea, where he terrorised defenders for seven years before making the unsuccessful but lucrative switch to Real Madrid.

There is no doubt that he would rank higher had his career had the same longevity as some of the other legends of the left wing.

23. Leonel Sanchez

Despite plenty of attempts to prise him away from his beloved Chile, with the likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan knocking at his door, Leonel Sanchez dedicated himself to his nation. Spending the bulk of his career at Universidad de Chile, the inspired winger became a hero in his home country.

A frequent provider of goals and assists as he bombed up and down the left wing, Sanchez even helped the South American nation finish third in the 1962 World Cup, at which he won the Golden Boot with a joint-highest four goals.

22. Heung-min Son

The epitome of consistency, Heung-min Son is one of the all-time greats of the Premier League era. Having forged a formidable partnership with Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur, the South Korean star has been similarly devastating since his companion left the Lilywhites.

With incredible pace, a tireless spirit and incredible two-footedness, Son is regularly among the league's top scorers and assist makers every single season. Unfortunately, his trophy cabinet doesn't reflect his influence.

21. Vinicius Junior

It's frightening to consider what Vinicius Junior could still achieve in his career having already dazzled at Real Madrid for a number of years already. Happiest on that left flank, the Brazil star is a truly generational talent with his trickery, burst of speed and thunderous right boot.

He has already scored in two Champions League finals - both of which he won - and won countless other titles with Los Blancos. The sky is truly the limit for the exceptional forward and there is no doubt he will climb these rankings as the years pass.

20. Oleg Blokhin

It's worth noting, as is the case for many on this list, that Oleg Blokhin regularly played across the front line, and was arguably most effective up front. However, he did feature on the left-hand side throughout his career and proved devastating when pushed further wide.

The Soviet Union forward spent the bulk of his playing days with Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine and managed an astonishing 265 goals and 106 assists in 578 outings. Club legends don't come much grander than the speedy superstar.

19. Sadio Mane

Part of one of modern football's greatest forward triumvirates, Sadio Mane was often the member of the trio most adored by Liverpool supporters. Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah proved the perfect partners for the Senegalese, who regularly destroyed right-backs with his explosivity.

A tremendous finisher as well, Mane left Liverpool having won pretty much everything on offer, including the Champions League and Premier League. He also achieved national team success in 2021 by winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

18. Robert Pires

France have boasted plenty of elegant footballers over the past century but few can match Robert Pires when it comes to oozing class. The former Arsenal winger won the Premier League twice with the Gunners and was another transformative French signing for Arsene Wenger.

Despite being relatively tall for a winger - standing at 6'2 - Pires was incredibly graceful out by the touchline and he had a knack for scoring some delightful goals, too.

Don't forget, the former Marseille star won the World Cup and European Championships with France.

17. John Barnes

John Barnes. What a sensational footballer.

The former Liverpool dynamo made a generation of Reds fall in love with football, hypnotising them with his dancing feet and ferocious speed. Powerful and difficult to dispossess, the England international was simply a joy to watch with the ball glued to his boots.

While he missed out on the dominant Liverpool side of the 1970s, Barnes still won two First Division titles and as many FA Cups with the Reds.

That goal against Brazil is worth a place on this list alone.

16. Neymar

Regardless of what you may think of Neymar, or whether he has lived up to his enormous potential, the Brazilian winger has proven an unbelievable footballer for club and country.

Few players have the ability or bravery to attempt the flicks and tricks that make him so special, with a fully fit Neymar one of the most difficult players to deny since the turn of the century.

In terms of raw talent and flair, he is among the greatest we have seen.

15. Zoltan Czibor

Hungary have boasted some pretty phenomenal talents and Zoltan Czibor is right up there among the greats. The diminutive winger travelled across Europe during the 1940s, 50s and 60s, representing the likes of Barcelona, Roma and Ferencvaros.

Czibor was a crucial member of the incredible Hungary side of the 1950s, playing alongside the likes of Ferenc Puskas and Jozsef Bozsik. He made just under 50 appearances for his country, scoring 17 times and finishing runner-up at the 1954 World Cup.

14. Rivaldo

Rivaldo is another who didn't always feature on the left flank, often playing more centrally during his heyday. But, whether out wide or in attacking midfield, the Brazil star was simply superb.

The most successful spell of his career undoubtedly came when he arrived in Barcelona, forging a reputation as a skilful and relentless forward. 130 goals in 235 appearances is a darn good tally.

Rivaldo's stats were similarly as impressive with Brazil, netting 35 times en route to winning the World Cup and Copa America.

Few were able to knock the graceful South American off the ball.

13. Tom Finney

English legend Tom Finney began his career during the Second World War and plied his trade with Preston North End for two whole decades. He made 76 appearances for England as well and is widely regarded as one of the nation's all-time greats.

Finney won plenty with England but only managed one Second Division title with Preston despite his exceptional displays. A goal-getter and wonderful provider, he was once described by former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly as the greatest player he had ever seen. Some compliment, that.

12. Kylian Mbappe

Regardless of what the world may think, Kylian Mbappe wants to play on the left wing. You don't argue with Kylian Mbappe.

The French superstar, who still has the ability to achieve bigger and better things during the second half of his career, is one of the most naturally gifted footballers of the 21st century, catching the eye with a blend of pace, power and efficiency in front of goal.

The former Paris Saint-Germain ace managed a combined 364 goals and assists in just 308 matches with the capital side and already has a World Cup to his name. He's even scored a hat-trick in another final, despite losing out to Argentina.

11. Rob Rensenbrink

One for the football purists and hipsters, but one that really shouldn't be. Underappreciated and not well known enough outside of his homeland, Dutchman Rob Rensenbrink would have been a household name were it not for two single football matches.

A World Cup finalist in both 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands' failure to secure either trophy meant Rensenbrink's legacy failed to extend beyond the locality of his club sides.

Unjust is an adequate summation. Why? Because on his day the forward slotted gently into the 'unplayable' category, just as effortlessly as he'd jink his way past opposition players unnoticed.

10. Dragan Dzajic

While many of the great left wingers have been right-footed, offering them the ability to cut inside and let fly at goal, Dragan Dzajic was renowned for boasting an exquisite left foot.

The Red Star Belgrade legend was a fantastic crosser of the ball, while also having the ability to make perfect angles for his deliveries into the penalty area due to his agility and acceleration.

Despite starting his career as a left-back, Dzajic was swiftly moved into a more advanced position where he was able to influence proceedings. He finished Euro 1968 with the Golden Boot, placing third in the Ballon d'Or the same year.

9. Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs' career can be summed up as an epic tale of one man and one club, joined at the hip for decades and intertwined in such a way that any utterance of his name that doesn't have heaps of praise attached it to is considered as blasphemous.

But in all seriousness, it was like a fairytale for the Welshman at Manchester United. But unlike a goalkeeper who spends his whole career at a club and barely gets a sniff, Giggs - barring his final season - never played less than 22 Premier League matches in a season.

It wasn't a case of just playing, as Giggs was instrumental in United dominating for such a long period of time, claiming 25 titles in his 963-game career.

8. Franck Ribery

It's quite easy to think about Franck Ribery and base your opinion on the last five seasons of his career. That's normal, since it's fresher in the memory. And if you were to give your verdict from that time period, you'd still say Ribery was a damn fine footballer.

Factor in the period before he was hit with injuries and playing into his 30s, and you've got a world class winger.

There was a point where if you wanted to tune into a game for some entertainment, any match featuring Ribery would suffice. He was a serial winner along with being a serial performer, dazzling with his superb array of skills or smashing a screamer in from 30 yards.

7. Pavel Nedved

It's a sign when you're getting old that you'll always reflect emotionally on the past, poking holes in the modern era and insisting it was always better 'back then'.

If you ever needed evidence that this was a true statement, then Pavel Nedved is your guy. It's a genuine pity for younger football fans these days that they never got to witness the Czech in his prime.

Few players played with such desire, but were able to back up their willingness with generational talent. If anyone deserved to win the Champions League but never did, then it was the 2003 Ballon d'Or winner.

6. Hristo Stoichkov

His name may be delightful to pronounce, but Hristo Stoichkov was far from a lovely opponent on the pitch. Tenacious, aggressive and combative, he was someone opposition teams feared coming up against.

That wasn't it, obviously, since he'd have needed to do much more than that to be listed as the sixth best left-winger of all time. But don't worry, his place is certainly warranted.

Part of Johan Cruyff's magnificent Barcelona era in the early 90s, the Bulgarian was one part of a devastating attack alongside Romario, netting 107 goals in 214 outings during his first stint in Catalonia. His exploits in the 1994 World Cup earned him a Ballon d'Or to add to his stocked trophy cabinet, while he still holds legendary status with La Blaugrana to this day.

5. Thierry Henry

Again, Thierry Henry didn't spend all of his career as a left winger, moving more centrally as he matured. But the French forward did feature on the left flank regularly and was renowned for drifting out wide and picking out the bottom corner by bending the ball around the goalkeeper's outstretched glove.

Speed, power, balance, trickery, technique...Henry had absolutely everything.

His arrival at Arsenal announced him to the footballing world and he built upon successful years in north London with a move to Barcelona. With France he was equally as relentless, winning the World Cup and Euros with Les Bleus.

4. Francisco Gento

Before the more recent Real Madrid, there was the old Real Madrid, and in order for the old Real Madrid to have been as good as they were, they needed Francisco Gento.

It would be great to see him play in the current era, as he had all the attributes that have become commonplace with the modern wide forwards: exceptional pace, a wand of a left foot and near-perfect technical ability.

One of the greatest Spaniards ever to play the game, his trophy cabinet reflects his majesty. No less than six Champions Leagues and 12 La Liga were won by Gento, who was an integral part of one of the most formidable football sides ever to have existed.

3. Rivelino

If you've enjoyed watching the likes of Neymar in recent years and wondered who he modeled his playing style on, the answer is above: Rivelino.

Rivelino wasn't just a technical marvel, however, he was also a glorious footballer with a cannon of a left foot, as demonstrated perfectly en route to Brazil lifting the 1970 World Cup with what many claim to be the greatest side of all time.

Go on the internet and watch how quick he is in possession. Or re-watch all of the Seleçao's matches in which he played. However you do it, catch a glimpse of Rivelino in action. You must.

2. Ronaldinho

'How's your touch? Oh, you're Ronaldinho? Ah, you're touch is obviously perfect then'.

Football is supposed to be fun. It's a source of entertainment, while as a player from whatever level, you play simply for the love of the game. With the ball at your feet you are at your most content, and the unparalleled highs and lows we experience from the sport are incomparable to anything else.

Ronaldinho was no different to the rest of us (barring the obvious skill difference), he was happiest when on the pitch, and knew his role as a sportsman was to put smiles on peoples' faces. He did that nigh on every minute he ever played the sport.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

While Cristiano Ronaldo moulded himself into a ruthless number nine at Real Madrid, the Portuguese started life as an indefatigable and tricky winger with Sporting CP and then Man Utd.

Considered as the GOAT by many, it was on that left wing where he won the 2008 Ballon d'Or with Man Utd after helping the club win the Premier League and Champions League.

Known for his relentless stepovers, remarkable pace and rocket of a right foot, Ronaldo is the best we have ever had the pleasure of witnessing by that left touchline.

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