The role of the winger has evolved in the past few decades.
The position originated from a wide midfielder position that flew past the flanks and floated in a cross to the forward to the modern version of a winger who dribbles directly at defenders en route to goal. Goal machines like Cristiano Ronaldo are the apotheosis of the versatile modern-day winger.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the best RIGHT wingers of all time. You can find the best wingers of all time here.
Marc Overmars
The speedy Dutch winger played three seasons with Arsenal and four seasons with Barcelona. He racked up a total of 41 goals in 142 appearances in North London while picking up 15 goals in 97 domestic appearances in Spain.
His trophy chest includes three Eredivise titles where he shined at Ajax earlier in his career, along with the 94/95 Champions League, a Premier League, and FA Cup.
Freddie Ljungberg
The Swedish footballer made a grand entrance into the Premiership with an opening goal against rivals Manchester United in 3-0 win in 1998.
Most adept at the wing, Ljungberg also played comfortably in a central role behind strikers where he netted 17 goals in the 2001 – 2002 campaign. A regular starter for Arsene Wenger, the crafty winger won two titles and three FA Cups during his illustrious career.
David Beckham
A key delivery man, Beckham played an integral role in some of the most important goals in Manchester United’s 1999 Treble winning season. All in all, the right-winger made 394 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 85 goals and notching 80 Premier League assists.
A lightning rod for his marketing antics off the field, he moved on to Real Madrid as a Galactico in 2003, where he made 116 appearances, scored 13 goals in his four seasons with the club, sealing La Liga in his last year.
Mo Salah
The “Egyptian King” Mo Salah has torched defenses on the right wing with his remarkable pace, dribbling, and finishing ability. In nearly five seasons as a Red, the player has racked up a remarkable 148 goals and 56 assists in 229 appearances. He set the record for most goals in a 38 game Premier League season with 32 strikes during the 2017/18 season.
The two-time Premier League top scorer and African Footballer of the Year played an integral role in leading the Reds to a Champions League and Premier League title.
Arjen Robben
Stationed on the right side of the pitch, Arjen Robben evolved into one of the most versatile and dynamic wingers in modern-day football.
The attacking midfielder scored over 100 goals in his nine-season stint for Bayern, powering Bayern to six Bundesliga titles, four DFB Cups and the Champions League treble. The Dutchman capped off an unforgettable 89-minute goal against Borussia Dortmund to win the Champions League in 2012.
He also helped lead the Netherlands earn runners-up at the 2010 World Cup.
Luis Figo
The playmaking right-winger Luis Figo was one of the few players that donned both the Blaugrana and Los Blancos kit.
The crafty attacking midfielder scored 45 goals and created 51 assists in 248 appearances for Barcelona over five years. He combined with the likes of Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert to win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup and Cup Winner’s Cup.
At Madrid, Luis Figo scored 56 goals and snatched 93 assists in 253 appearances over five years. Playing alongside Zidane and Ronaldo, he received the Ballon d’Or in 2000, winning a Champions League and two La Ligas.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite his more forward role at Juventus and Manchester United (2nd stint), Ronaldo evolved into the winger-role at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Setting a record fee of 80 million pounds upon his transfer from Manchester United, the Portuguese star made a monumental impact on Los Blancos over a nine-year stretch.
Ronaldo surpassed Raul, the previous number seven, with 450 goals of his own on 438 appearances, averaging over one per game. A four-time Champions League winner, a two-time Spanish league champion, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Ronaldo also leads Portugal with 184 caps and over 115 goals, captaining Portugal’s first-ever major trophy in UEFA Euro 2016.
George Best
With 181 goals in 474 appearances with Manchester United, George Best’s innate speed and dribbling excellence made him a genius footballer. The Northern Irishman helped the Red Devils win two First Division titles and a European Cup in 1968, the same year he finished first in the Ballon d’Or.
Stanley Matthews
Arguably England’s greatest ever winger for his dribbling wizardry, Stanley Matthews of Blackpool was the first recipient of the coveted European Ballon d’Or in 1956. He won one FA Cup with Blackpool and two League Division II titles with Stoke City.
Garrincha
Regarded by many as one of the best dribblers in history, Garrincha partnered with Pele to win Brazil’s first-ever World Cup in 1958. When Pele injured himself against Czechoslovakia in 1962, Garrincha stepped up to win Brazil’s second World Cup.
