The 25 best left wingers in world football - ranked

Football was once a simple game. The ball used to get booted out to the skilled wingers who did their thing and crossed a ball or two for a big target man to head home.

The left winger has come in different shapes and sizes down the years, from the silky Brazilian iteration to the direct Englishman. Such variation in profile has only been amplified in the modern day, with the roles these players perform utterly dependent on the system in which they're involved.

Being a left winger in this day and age isn't as black and white as it once was. Still, these players seek to entertain the masses and the game is currently blessed with a plethora of talent in the position.

Here are our top 25 left wingers in the world.

25. Neymar

Neymar is no longer the kid who broke the internet all those years ago during his time at Santos, but he's a footballer who continues to put a smile on the faces of adoring supporters.

His record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 somewhat thrust Neymar out of the limelight from a domestic perspective, with the vast majority of fans judging the Brazilian's legacy from his performances in the Champions League.

Many will point to PSG's absence of a European crown in their Galacticos era, but Neymar's scintillating run to the 2020 final shouldn't be overlooked. Had PSG beaten Bayern in Lisbon, Neymar's efforts would have gone down as one of the best individual campaigns in the competition's history.

The Brazilian's struggles with injury mean he's missed plenty of action in recent years, and who knows what he's got left in the tank after returning to his homeland.

24. Leandro Trossard

Not much was made of Leandro Trossard's Brighton arrival in 2019 and he went under the radar for much of his time on the south coast.

The Belgium international became a key figure at the AMEX Stadium under Graham Potter and then Roberto De Zerbi, catching Arsenal's attention with some influential displays.

He played a supporting role in his first half-season with the Gunners in their second-place Premier League finish but still contributed a whopping ten assists purely in their colours. The Belgian has continued to produce clutch moments for Arteta's challengers, but he's no star.

23. Eliesse Ben Seghir

Ligue 1 is a talent factory, and Monaco has been home to some of the country's shiniest starlets in the 21st century.

Adi Hutter has an exciting young team at his disposal, and Ben Seghir is arguably the club's leading light despite the wealth of starlets.

The 20-year-old is more likely to evolve into a central playmaker than an outright winger as his career progresses. He's a precise passer who's shone not only in Ligue 1 this season, but the Champions League, too.

There are physical shortcomings, but time is on Ben Seghir's side.

22. Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli is one of the very few good things to come out of the Unai Emery era at Arsenal.

The winger was signed from Brazilian minnows Ituano to little fanfare in 2018 but showed during his debut season in England that the Gunners might have stumbled upon a diamond in the rough.

It seemed as if Martinelli was heading for superstardom after a standout 2022/23 campaign, but the past two seasons have been disappointing for the Arsenal winger.

21. Karim Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi may be the fastest man on the planet, and he's also not a bad footballer.

The youngster won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award in 2022/23 in what was a breakout campaign at Borussia Dortmund.

His 2023/24 season was quieter, and he was guilty of missing some huge chances for BVB in their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, but his potential remains sky-high.

He's bound to thrive under Niko Kovac, who places great emphasis on the counter-attack.

20. Alejandro Garnacho

The bleach-haired Argentine has shown his adeptness down the right flank over the past 12 months, but Alejandro Garnacho's breakthrough came while stationed on the left.

The youngster plays with a fearless swagger and is always willing to take on his opposing full-back one-on-one. He's been a breath of fresh air during a tumultuous period at Old Trafford, with his stunning overhead kick at Goodison Park well worthy of the Puskas Award.

19. Jeremy Doku

Choatic and free-spirited, Jeremy Doku is arguably the antithesis of an ideal Pep Guardiola winger.

The Belgian teased his explosive brilliance at Euro 2020 before returning to mainstream prominence after signing for Man City. The all-conquering Cityzens are laden with controllers and retainers, even out wide, but Doku is an absolute game-breaker from the touchline.

There may not be a superior one-v-one winger in the world, even if the end product needs to improve to take his game to the next level.

18. Jamie Gittens

There's something about English starlets and Signal Iduna Park. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham both garnered great acclaim for their work at Borussia Dortmund, and it looks like Jamie Gittens is on a similar trajectory.

The winger's season has slowed down somewhat since Niko Kovac took charge, with the Croatian manager preferring a more reactive approach. However, Gittens starred during the first half of 2024/25 having shown glimpses last season.

He's only 20, and there's no doubt that Premier League interest will soon emerge.

17. Mikel Oyarzabal

Mikel Oyarzabal seems to be one of those players who, despite having the talent and opportunity, may not get a go at one of Europe's top sides.

That's not a major shock considering the strong identity his club Real Sociedad have. After joining from Eibar way back in 2011, La Real remain the only senior club team he has ever played for.

Oyarzabal is a versatile attacker who has posted promising numbers throughout his career, and there's also the small matter of scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final for Spain.

16. Marcus Rashford

When Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene with a brace against Arsenal on his Premier League debut, he seemed destined for superstardom.

He was soon an England international, and in three consecutive seasons, he scored at least ten times in the Premier League.

The concluding seasons at Manchester United were tumultuous, to say the least, and a move away was required to rejuvenate the once highly regarded winger.

At Aston Villa, Unai Emery has quickly been able to get a tune out of Rashford, whose bright start to life at Villa Park has seen him return to the England set-up. He hasn't lost his destructive ability.

15. Savinho

Michel's Girona were one of the stories of the 2023/24 season - even if they are owned by the City Football Group - and Savinho was a star operator as the blistering spark down their left flank.

The youngster is an archetypal Brazilian winger who uses his innate flair to dazzle. Having starred in La Liga - on loan from Troyes, for whom he never appeared - Savinho joined Manchester City last summer and has enjoyed a promising debut season at the Etihad.

14. Kaoru Mitoma

The dribbling theologist has studied his way to football stardom.

His university work undoubtedly played a huge role in his easy-on-the-eye style, with Kaoru Mitoma emerging as a one-on-one phenom since joining Brighton in 2021.

The Japan international eventually starred for the Seagulls after returning from a loan in Belgium and is seen as the next Brighton star who'll garner a monster fee when he decides to take the next step. A long list of clubs will be queuing up to sign him.

2024/25 has been somewhat of a subdued campaign for Mitoma, but there have been glimpses of his majestic talent. The winger's stunning solo goal against Chelsea in February exemplified what he's capable of.

13. Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz looked tailor-made for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool when the Reds signed the Colombia international in January 2022.

Playing high up the pitch with an eye on getting in behind, Diaz endured an injury-hit first full season at Anfield but still showed he has everything required to be a hit on Merseyside.

While Diaz can frustrate Reds supporters, the Colombian's relentlessness cannot be denied, and he's played a useful supporting role to Mohamed Salah under Arne Slot.

12. Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min had his worst campaign in recent memory in 2022/23, coming only a season after he won the Premier League's Golden Boot.

The South Korean idol is known for enduring lapses in form, and while such troughs can be incredibly frustrating, Son's scintillating purple patches more than make amends.

He's been a world-class performer at Spurs for almost half a decade. While he doesn't excel in some of the traditional aspects of wing play, Son has blossomed into arguably the deadliest inside forward in the world.

There isn't a goal he can't score with either foot, but his very best form seems to manifest more sparingly nowadays.

11. Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo was frequently utilised as a centre-forward and occasionally a central midfielder by Jurgen Klopp when he first arrived at Liverpool following a switch from PSV Eindhoven.

However, the Dutchman's form in 2024/25 while playing as a traditional left-winger has shown that Klopp often misused the former PSV star, who's looked far more at ease in the Premier League since Slot arrived on Merseyside.

Despite being tall for a wide player, Gakpo is an agile and tidy dribbler, while also posing significant goal threat when cutting inside on his favoured right foot.

10. Serge Gnabry

Serge Gnabry has been utilised across the front line during his incredibly successful and trophy-laden spell with Bayern Munich. The former Arsenal man has won the lot with the Bavarian giants and is destined to secure more silverware before his playing days end.

Gnabry is a super consistent presence on the wings for Bayern, whether it be the left or right, and while he has slowed down in recent seasons, he remains a major threat with goals and assists in the final third.

9. Desire Doue

Luis Enrique is working his magic in Paris after Kylian Mbappe jumped ship, with the Spaniard boasting an array of sefless and mightily talented wingers at his disposal.

Desire Doue is the latest French star to arrive at the Parc des Princes, and the former Rennes starlet has shown all the sings of eventually blossoming into an unstoppable wide player who's equally adept at operating infield.

Doue makes the ball stick to his feet. His ball manipulation is off the charts good. He's going to make a LOT of defenders look silly throughout his senior career.

8. Anthony Gordon

Newcastle United have two enticing options on the left wing in Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, but it's the former Everton star who made the position his own last season.

The England international has always been a threat for the Magpies and has kicked on at St James' Park after his breakout performances on Merseyside.

An indefatigable forward with bags of speed and an eye for goal, Gordon has a bright future for club and country.

7. Bradley Barcola

Bradley Barcola first caught the eye by bamboozling right-backs in a Lyon shirt, and he naturally attracted attention from France's relentless talent poachers Paris Saint-Germain.

It's taken Barcola little time to settle in Paris after a big-money move, and the departure of Kylian Mbappe will allow him to thrive in his preferred role on the left wing.

He's already an excellent talent but his potential is even greater.

6. Kingsley Coman

The perpetually injured Kingsley Coman has never been able to catch a break, with knocks often striking at the cruellest of times for the Frenchman.

Coman is not a major producer in the final third and poor decision-making has always prevented him from reaching the heights of some of his teammates.

Nevertheless, Coman is one of the most prolific dribblers in the world and his ability to create separation in one-v-one situations is second to none. While he usually performs an inverted function off the left, Coman's more than capable of occupying the touchline and beating his man on the outside.

Scoring the winner in the Champions League final is no mean feat, either.

5. Rafael Leao

There's certainly no doubting Rafael Leao's status as one of the best left-wingers in the world after he played a starring role in AC Milan’s Scudetto triumph in 2021/22, scoring ten times and adding 11 assists in 34 league appearances.

The Portugal international boasts a lightning-quick, gazelle-like stride that overwhelms defences every week. He's a destructive ball-carrier and looked set to reach superstar status at San Siro.

The sky is still very much the limit for Leao, who will undoubtedly make Milan a lot of money when the right time to sell arrives, but inconsistency has crept into his game over the past couple of years.

4. Nico Williams

Yet another young Spanish wide player, Nico Williams is a delightful winger to watch.

A regular for Athletic Club, the youngster is thoroughly impressing week in, week out in La Liga and was one of the stars of Euro 2024, even scoring in the final itself as Spain claimed the trophy.

That tournament certainly thrust him into the limelight and on to the wishlists of Europe's elite, but staying at Athletic Club for 2024/25 will enable him to hone his craft in familiar surroundings.

After a slow start to the season, Williams has produced his very best form in the new year ahead of potential Europa League final in Bilbao.

3. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia garnered the 'Kvaradona' tag in Naples for good reason.

The Georgian superstar's direct running, instinctive nature and penchant for entertaining saw him immediately emerge as a fan favourite. He's an incredibly exciting winger to watch, with his unpredictability and variation in possession being distinct factors in his meteoric rise.

Kvaratskhelia led Serie A for assists in 2022/23 (ten) and also netted 12 times during Napoli's title-winning campaign. 2023/24 was tough for the Neapolitans, with the Georgian often tasked with carrying the side on his back in Victor Osimhen's absence, but Euro 2024 brought out the best in him once again.

Antonio Conte was desperate to build his Napoli team around Kvaratskhelia, but the winger opted for a switch to a mightily exciting PSG outfit in January. He hasn't missed a beat at the start of his career in the French capital.

2. Raphinha

Angel Di Maria clone Raphinha was courted by several top Premier League clubs following two wonderful years with Leeds but eventually chose to sign with Barcelona.

Raphinha is so technically proficient that he's capable of dictating the tempo of proceedings from his wide position. He's athletic enough to beat his man in a myriad of ways but prefers to drift inside and create from a more central position.

The Brazil international was excellent at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa, and his talents are shining through wonderfully in Catalonia. He's been exceptional over the past year, with his staggering output thrusting hin into 2025 Ballon d'Or contention.

1. Vinicius Junior

It wasn't too long ago when Karim Benzema couldn't stand the thought of Vinicius Junior receiving possession. "Don't play with him, on my mother's life he is playing against us," the French forward told Ferland Mendy during a Champions League group stage clash in 2020. 

Oh, how the tables have turned!

Vinicius' evolution from a spritely but indecisive winger into a final third machine played key roles in Real Madrid's Champions League victories in 2021/22 and 2023/24.

Alongside Jude Bellingham and summer addition Kylian Mbappe, he's now the leading light at the Bernabeu. The Brazilian has received terrible abuse in Spain but keeps rising above the hate and is arguably the best out-and-out winger in the world.

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL