Top 10 Best Left Wingers In The World | Ranked

In the past, several greats have dominated games playing from the left side. Several greats of football who have already been given the title of legends, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, and Franck Ribery, also one of the best wingers of all time, all tended 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 pressured.

The methodology we used to rank the top 10 best left wingers in the world is primarily based on G+A/90 of the players in the ongoing 2024/25 season, which is an important metric for evaluating a player’s direct contribution to the team. Additional metrics included key passes per 90 minutes (indicating playmaking ability), dribbles per 90 minutes (reflecting ball-carrying skill), and crosses/90. These additional factors encompass another aspect that distinguishes a winger from the rest of the players. We have sourced our data from trusted and reputable football analysis sites, which provide us with the above-mentioned data. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the ten best left-wingers in world football.

Top 10 Best Left Wingers in the World:

As the 2024/25 season is about to end with very few matches to be played, we thought of answering the most inquired question on our platform, i.e., who is the best left winger in the world right now. So, on demand, we have named the 10 best left-wingers instead that too, in a ranking manner.

How We Ranked the World’s Best Left Wingers (Weighted Criteria – 100 %)

G+A/90: This factor mainly includes the direct contribution of a player in the team’s overall performance. High goal and assist rates per 90 minutes show a winger’s ability to create and score, which makes him a key part of the team. This factor also reflects how consistent a player was throughout the last 365 days.

Key Passes/90: This metric shows us the creative ability of a player to set up goal scoring opportunities for his teammates. A high key pass rate per 90 shows a winger’s vision and precision in breaking defenses, vital for playmaking in tight games.

Successful Dribbles/90: A winger must have the ability to go one-on-one with an opponent’s defender when he finds himself in a situation with no visible options by his side. It is essential for dynamic wing play in top competitions.

Cross/90 : This factor will show us how good a player is in providing perfect crosses, which directly land in the opponent’s penalty box, creating chances for players, including the striker. High accuracy enhances team scoring opportunities, especially in attacking systems relying on wide play. Teams seeking last minutes goal always expect their wingers to provide direct balls in the box to create a scoring opportunity.

Major Honors & Awards: Last but not least, the awards and honours will confirm their ranking in our list of the top 10 best left wingers in the world. Trophies and individual awards (Ballon d’Or, League honours) reflect a player’s impact in major competitions, adding prestige and reliability.

Best Left Wingers in the World:

Below is the detailed list of the best left-wingers in the world, completely based on the above weighted ranking factors. From Kylian Mbappe to Raphinha, let’s see who ends up as the best left winger in the world.

10. Anthony Gordon – Englnd

Anthony Gordon anchors Newcastle’s left flank area, contributing 10 goals and 6 assists in the 2024/25 Season. His relentless pressing and direct running help Newcastle to bring pressure directly on the face of opponents. Gordon’s pace exploits gaps, creating opportunities for himself and teammates in the final third of the pitch.

He’s adept at winning fouls, drawing defenders out of position. Gordon’s defensive work rate sets him apart, supporting Newcastle’s backline. He’s a vital cog in their European chase. His gritty performances earn him a top-10 spot. His finishing is clinical when chances arise, often capitalizing on defensive errors. Newcastle won the Carabao Cup, and Anthony Gordon got a huge role to play in it. Anthony Gordon is receiving a good amount of interest from the top table teams of the Premier League. It will be interesting to see whether the youngster will join a new club or try to win more trophies with Newcastle United.

9. Gabriel Martinelli – 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. Martinelli’s relentless pressing and off-ball work rate are vital for Mikel Arteta’s system. His sharp finishing shines in counterattacks, exploiting spaces with precision.

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 23, he has already made 225 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 51 goals and providing 29 assists.

8. Nico Williams – Spain

Nico Williams is Athletic Club’s rising star. He plays alongside his elder brother, Inaki Williams, at Athletic Club. He has delivered 15 goals and 9 assists in the 2024/25 Season. His pace and smooth dribbling overwhelm defenders at the left wing, creating chances at will. His Euro 2024 final goal for Spain proved his knack for big moments. Williams excels on the left, cutting inside or stretching play with intelligent runs behind the defense of the opponent team.

His decision-making has matured, balancing flair with precision. He’s a linchpin in Athletic’s attacking setup, driving their European push. Williams’s one-on-one mastery makes him a standout. His trajectory points to superstardom. Due to his speed and dribbling ability, many Premier League teams are ready to sign him by offering huge wages. He is an important part of Bilbao and usually steps up in the absence of his brother, Inaki Williams.

7. Rafael Leao – 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. Leão’s flair shines in his creative dribbles and incisive runs down the left. His 3 goals and 4 assists in Serie A, plus 2 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League, show his impact.

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 Serie A side AC Milan in August 2019 from Lille and has made 260 appearances for the club, scoring 70 goals and providing 62 assists. His performance has impressed clubs like FC Barcelona, Arsenal and other big clubs around the globe. Rafael Leao has to make a decision which will either make the star shine brighter or may result in stagnation.

6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia

At number 5 we have Khvicha Kvaratskhelia broke onto the scene with Napoli last year as they won the Italian league Serie A in remarkably dominant fashion. His attacking partnership with striker Victor Osimhen helped the team terrorize defenses across Europe last season. With 9 goals and 8 assists, he’s adapted swiftly since his January move from Napoli. His Champions League exploits, notably against Liverpool, which knocked them out of the UEFA Champions League, highlight his world-class potential. He is also famously known as “Kvaradona” due to his skills and his relationship with Napoli.

The Georgian has incredible pace and directness, which he uses to get into dangerous areas in and around the penalty 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 15 goals and providing 10 assists. Overall, the 23-year-old has made 107 appearances for Napoli, scoring 30 goals and providing 29 assists. He completed his move to Ligue 1 side PSG, and had changed the entire setup, with his inclusion dependency on players like Ousmane Dembele reduced, resulting in more threat to the opponent’s team from both flanks. His inclusion in the team helped the team win their first quadruple, which includes the prestigious UCL trophy.

5. Luis Díaz – Colombia

Luis Díaz is Liverpool’s left-wing engine, driving their 2024/25 title charge and strong performance with 25 goals and 5 assists. His electric fast dribbling on the left-hand side of the pitch and close control dismantle defenses of opponents in tight spaces, and he moves ahead, creating more goal-scoring chances. A four-goal haul against Leverkusen in the Champions League showcases his lethal edge. Díaz’s high-intensity pressing aligns perfectly with Arne Slot’s system, disrupting opponents.

His finishing has sharpened, converting chances with newfound consistency. Díaz’s ability to link with midfielders adds fluidity to Liverpool’s attack. He thrives on the left, cutting in or hugging the touchline. His passion fuels Anfield’s roar. The Colombian player is a crucial part of Liverpool and creates impact by combining with Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah up top.

4. Vinicius Junior – 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. Vincius and Real Madrid’s performance is too closely related to each other; it can be proven by his dip in form, which aligns with Madrid’s inconsistent performance this season.

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 316 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 105 goals and providing 82 assists.

3. Raphinha – Brazil

Raphinha has emerged as Barcelona’s attacking cornerstone, driving their 2024/25 campaign. His left-footed wizardry delivers stunning goals and precise assists in La Liga and the Champions League. A hat-trick against Bayern Munich and a goal in El Clásico highlight his clutch ability. Raphinha’s agility and quick turns leave defenders reeling, creating space for teammates.

His versatility shines, occasionally playing centrally but excelling on the left. As vice-captain, he leads by example with relentless energy. His 32 goal involvements in 17 left-wing games mark a career peak. Raphinha’s dynamic form makes him a Ballon d’Or contender. With that unimaginable performance, Raphinha holds the number 3 spot in our list of the best left wingers in the world. He is also named as the player of the season in La Liga for his contribution to FC Barcelona’s domestic treble season.

2. Bradley Barcola – France

Bradley Barcola has seized the spotlight at PSG, shining with 21 goals and 14 assists in 2024/25. He is still hidden from the limelight he deserves, He has performed exceptionally for Paris Saint-Germain. His performance in Ligue 1 tells us that he is a gem of a player. His 35.3 km/h speed makes him a terror down the left flank, outrunning defenders effortlessly and creating chances up top in opponents’ penalty box. He is one of the best left wingers in the world right now

Barcola’s clinical finishing and creative passing have filled the void left by Mbappé’s central shift in PSG. The 22-year-old has scored 33 goals and 40 assists as of now in League 1. He’s become a vital part of PSG’s dynamic attack. All credit goes to Luis Enrique for trusting a young gun, which has helped the team. Barcola’s composure in big moments, like against Manchester City, marks him as a rising star. His versatility enhances PSG’s deadly frontline of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

1. Kylian Mbappe – 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 is 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 26-year-old has made 302 appearances for the Parisians, scoring an eye-watering 253 goals and providing 107 assists as well. Mbappe has already broken the record of most goals in the debut season for Real Madrid with 45 goals and won the European Golden Boot Award.

Who is the Best Left Winger in the World?

Kylian Mbappe, hands down, is the best winger in the world currently. Before you take it as an offense for your favourite player and fill our comment section with all the unnecessary words, here is the explanation. He bagged the Golden Boot this season, proving he’s the ultimate goal scoring machine for the Los Blancos despite Real Madrid having a turbulent season. Mbappé’s speed, vision, and his no-complaint attitude are the key differentiators. On top of that, when it comes to 1v1, no one can get closer to The Frenchman. While he’s not the absolute best at creating chances compared to someone like Raphinha, he still delivers plenty of key passes to keep the attack flowing. Now it’s not his fault if his key passes go in vain just because someone tries too much before scoring a simple goal.