The right wing has been home to some of football’s most dazzling dribblers and deadliest creators. Modern fans associate the position with inverted forwards like Mohamed Salah, but the role has been evolving for almost a century.

This list focuses on traditional right-sided attackers with an emphasis on end product and impact at the highest level. Some players, like Jairzinho, are excluded to maintain positional clarity. Others, like Lionel Messi, are included due to their undeniable influence on the role despite ultimately transcending position.

These are our definitive top 11.

11. Marc Overmars

Fast, direct, and clinical. Overmars made his mark at Ajax, Arsenal, and Barcelona. He scored 41 goals in 142 appearances for Arsenal and won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998. At Barcelona, he added 19 goals in 141 games across all competitions.

He helped Ajax win the 1995 Champions League and was a key figure in the Dutch national team during a golden era. Injuries cut short what could have been an even more prolific career.

10. Freddie Ljungberg

The Swedish dynamo was a vital piece of Arsenal’s success under Arsène Wenger. Known for his smart runs and fearless finishing, Ljungberg scored 72 goals in 328 appearances. His 17-goal haul during the 2001–02 season earned him Premier League Player of the Season honors.

He was part of the “Invincibles” side in 2003–04 and scored in Arsenal’s 2002 FA Cup final win over Chelsea.

9.

Known as much for his celebrity as his footballing ability, Beckham’s right foot was a cultural weapon. He tallied 394 appearances, 85 goals, and 80 assists in the Premier League. At Manchester United, he won six league titles and the 1999 Champions League. At Real Madrid, he added a La Liga title and 20 goals in 155 appearances.

Beckham also recorded over 100 caps for England and became the first English player to win domestic titles in four countries.

8. Mohamed Salah

As of July 2025, Salah has scored 245 goals in 401 appearances for Liverpool, with 184 of those in the Premier League. He led the Reds to the Champions League in 2019 and Premier League titles in 2020 and 2025.

Few wingers in history have blended pace, power, and consistent end product quite like him.

7. Arjen Robben

Robben’s left foot wreaked havoc from the right flank. He scored 144 goals in 309 appearances for Bayern Munich and played a decisive role in the 2013 Champions League final, scoring the 89th-minute winner.

His eight Bundesliga titles and a career defined by elite dribbling and shot selection make him a modern icon.

6. Luis Figo

A Ballon d’Or winner in 2000, Figo starred for both Barcelona and Real Madrid. He recorded 45 goals and 51 assists at Barcelona, then added 56 goals and 93 assists for Madrid.

His controversial move across the Clásico divide shook world football, but few could argue with his brilliance in both shirts. He also helped reach the Euro 2004 final and 2006 semis.

5.

Ronaldo began as a right winger at Manchester United, scoring 118 goals in 292 games and winning three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League.

Though he evolved into a central forward, his early years featured dazzling wing play and explosive stepovers. As of 2025, he holds the record for most Champions League goals (140) and has surpassed 900 career goals.

4. George Best

The Belfast Boy was both artist and athlete, blending flair with final product. He scored 137 goals in 361 league appearances for Manchester United and won the 1968 European Cup.

Though his off-field lifestyle shortened his prime, Best remains one of football’s most naturally gifted wingers.

3. Stanley Matthews

The original right winger. Matthews played top-flight football until age 50 and was the first Ballon d’Or winner in 1956. He made 783 club appearances, mostly for Stoke City and Blackpool, and won the 1953 FA Cup.

Nicknamed “The Wizard of the Dribble,” his career stretched across three decades and two world wars.

2. Garrincha

‘s joyful genius. Garrincha won two World Cups (1958 and 1962) and was named the best player of the 1962 tournament, where he also claimed the Golden Boot.

He scored 232 goals in 581 appearances for Botafogo and never lost a match when playing alongside Pelé. His dribbling defied physics, and defenders rarely knew which way he was going.

1. Lionel Messi*

Although primarily a playmaker and false nine in his later years, Messi played the bulk of his early career as a right winger. With 821 goals and over 360 assists in senior football as of 2025, his impact is peerless.

The asterisk reflects that Messi ultimately transcends position—but if we’re being honest, the right flank is where he built his empire.