The role of the winger has evolved in the past few decades.
The position originated from a wide midfielder whose job was to fly down past the flanks and float in a cross to a forward target to a 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 LEFT wingers of all time. You can find the best wingers of all-time here.
Sadio Mane
Often regarded as one of the best Premier League wingers, Sadio Mane has been on a goalscoring tear since he arrived at Anfield. The Senegalese playmaker, possibly Klopp‘s best signing, kept Liverpool opponents on edge with his attacking style and pace.
With 196 goals and 48 assists in 269 matches for the Reds, a Champions League title, and Premier League silverware to boot, Mane capped off his Anfield days with an FA Cup title. He joined Bayern Munich for the 2022/23 season before moving to the Saudi Pro League in August 2023.
Eden Hazard
One of the Premier League’s greatest-ever players, Eden Hazard was a creative sensation at Chelsea.
Nicknamed the “Belgian Messi,” Eden Hazard’s speed and ball control were second to none. The attacking midfielder scored 110 goals and generated 92 assists in his 7 seasons with the club. Hazard, a two-time Premiership League champion, won two domestic cups and the Europa League in 2013.
Gareth Bale
The Welsh forward scored one of the most memorable goals in Champions League history—a bicycle kick that sealed Real Madrid’s victory against Liverpool in 2018.
A four-time Champions League winner, he’s collected a Spanish league and cup trophy as well. With already 73 goals in 132 appearances for Los Blancos and the spotlight on him given the departure of Ronaldo, it’s Bale’s time to shine.
Neymar
While the football elite continues to criticize Neymar’s move to Paris St. Germain for its outrageous sum of money, his play on the field has been nothing but noteworthy.
The Brazilian creative helped Barcelona win the treble twice where he scored 68 goals in 123 domestic appearances.
In his first year with PSG, he’s scored 34 goals and bagged a French League trophy, a French Cup, and also a Trophée des Champions. Already a Confederations Cup and gold medal winner from the 2016 Summery Olympics, the World Cup is the only trophy to elude him.
Francisco Gento
As the so-called “Storm Of The Cantabrian,” as he was known to many Real Madrid fans, Francisco Gento was an absolute handful for defenses. He scored 178 goals in over six hundred appearances, winning an astonishing twelve La Liga titles, six European Cups, and two Copa del Rey.
Frank Ribery
The Frenchman won the 2007-2008 German footballer of the Year award in his first year with the club. He has since made over 250 appearances, scored 80 domestic league goals, and assisted over 180 times. The left winger has also won the Champions League, eight League titles, and five German Cups.
Ryan Giggs
Celebrated for his lengthy one-club career at Manchester United, the 90s version of Ryan Giggs was remarkable down the wing, left and right.
A dynamic midfielder, he was ultra-competitive and set high standards on and off the field.
The most decorated footballer in Premiership history won the Premier League 13 times along with four FA Cups, three League Cups, and two Champions League titles. He’s also the holder of the Premiership most assists all-time with 271.
George Best
With 181 goals in 474 appearances with Manchester United, George Best’s inherent 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.
Ronaldinho
It can be hard to pin down Ronaldinho to a single position, but he played his best football as a left-winger.
The gifted Brazilian dribbler scored 70 goals for Barcelona over five seasons. He remains the only player other than Maradona to have received a round of applause from Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
After winning the Champions League and second La Liga titles, the smiling superstar won a Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2005.
After winning the Copa América in 1999, he joined forces with Ronaldo and Rivaldo to repeat the ‘jogo bonito’ in the 2002 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Need we say more? Ronaldo excelled at the winger role at Manchester United and Real Madrid before becoming a mainstay forward with Juventus.
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 nine years.
Ronaldo surpassed Raul, the previous number seven, with 450 goals on 438 appearances, averaging over one per game. A four-time Champions League winner, a two-time Spanish league champion, and a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, he is one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Ronaldo also leads Portugal with 154 caps and 85 goals, captaining Portugal to its first major trophy in UEFA Euro 2016.
