A winger is arguably probably the most eye-catching place on the soccer pitch. Whether or not or not it’s pinpoint crossing means, a bag of expertise or electrical tempo, now we have seen some iconic broad males over time get loads of plaudits.
At the moment, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele are seen as the most effective wingers in world soccer, however who’s the GOAT?
Here’s a listing of 20 of probably the most iconic wingers soccer has ever seen, factoring in longevity and consistency on the highest stage, whereas additionally taking a look at their private accolades and honours they’ve received.
20 Biggest Wingers of All Time | ||
|---|---|---|
Rank | Title | Nation |
1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal |
3 | Garrincha | Brazil |
4 | George Finest | Northern Eire |
5 | Ronaldinho | Brazil |
6 | Stanley Matthews | England |
7 | Paco Gento | Spain |
8 | Neymar | Brazil |
9 | Luis Figo | Portugal |
10 | Jairzinho | Brazil |
11 | Ryan Giggs | Wales |
12 | Arjen Robben | Netherlands |
13 | Eden Hazard | Belgium |
14 | Rivaldo | Brazil |
15 | Mohamed Salah | Egypt |
16 | Gareth Bale | Wales |
17 | David Beckham | England |
18 | Jose Macia Pepe | Brazil |
19 | Tom Finney | England |
20 | Robert Pires | France |
20
Robert Pires
Robert Pires
Starting the countdown is Robert Pires, who was really voted sixth within the listing of Arsenal’s best-ever gamers, exhibiting the impression he made in England.
A Euros and World Cup winner with France, Pires performed on the left and bundles of ability and claimed two Premier League titles and three FA Cups at Highbury.
He’d typically go underneath the radar as a result of taking part in alongside Thierry Henry, however Pires was world-class in his prime.
19
Tom Finney
Tom Finney
One of many biggest two-footed wingers in the course of the Forties and Nineteen Fifties was Englishman Tom Finney, who spent 20 years with Preston North Finish.
Though his profession wasn’t glittered with honours, Finney has gone down as one of many best versatile attackers of the early period, scoring 240 objectives for Preston and England.
18
Jose Macia Pepe
Jose Macia Pepe
Jose Macia Pepe received the World Cup with Brazil in 1958 and 1962 with Pele and starred alongside for Santos throughout his membership profession.
An iconic left-winger over 15 years, Pepe scored 405 objectives in 705 video games for Santos, a outstanding quantity for somebody who performed out broad.
17
David Beckham
David Beckham
Among the best crossers of the ball in historical past, David Beckham performed on the right-hand facet for among the largest sides in world soccer throughout his profession.
Man Utd, Actual Madrid and AC Milan all had the pleasure of getting Beckham take set items, delivering the ball with precision regularly.
The primary main soccer celeb, Beckham’s means on the pitch is typically forgotten, however on his day, the English icon was unstoppable.
16
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale
A five-time Champions League winner with Actual Madrid, Gareth Bale all the time delivered within the massive moments for Los Blancos, scoring among the membership’s most iconic objectives in finals.
His overhead kick in opposition to Liverpool within the Champions League and solo run in opposition to Barcelona within the Copa del Rey are two standout moments from a glittering profession, with Bale additionally starring within the Premier League with Tottenham and on the worldwide stage with Wales.
15
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah
Now an authorized Liverpool legend, Mohamed Salah’s return to England after a failed spell with Chelsea has turned him into one of many biggest the Premier League has ever seen.
Tempo, glorious dribbling and medical in entrance of aim, Salah was key in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs. The Egyptian King has bought higher with age and broke loads of data at Anfield.
14
Rivaldo
Rivaldo
A particularly versatile ahead, Rivaldo’s biggest shows throughout his 25-year profession got here out broad. Finest recognized for his time at Barcelona, the Brazilian starred on the left, the place he received the Ballon d’Or in 1999.
Netting 130 objectives in 235 appearances on the Nou Camp, Rivaldo additionally received the World Cup in 2002. He had tempo, energy and will additionally take a free-kick which got here in helpful at varied factors throughout his profession.
13
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard
Retiring on the age of 32, Eden Hazard was hampered by accidents within the latter years of his profession following his big-money transfer to Actual Madrid from Chelsea.
Nonetheless, in his prime years, Hazard was untouchable at Stamford Bridge and couldn’t be stopped by Premier League full-backs.
One in every of Belgium’s greatest ever gamers in historical past, Hazard was recognized for his dribbling means, and his iconic aim in opposition to Arsenal summed up what he was like as a participant.
12
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben
A serial winner with PSV Eindhoven, Actual Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, full-backs typically knew what Arjen Robben was going to do however nonetheless couldn’t cease him.
Chopping in off the precise and onto his unbelievable left-foot, the Dutch icon’s profession lasted 20 years, and for his nation, he made nearly 100 appearances.
The scorer of the winner within the 2013 Champions League ultimate with Bayern Munich, Robben’s technical means was unmatched.
11
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
One other winger who wasn’t the quickest however remains to be probably the greatest is Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs.
Giggs was influential in quite a few Purple Devils sides underneath Sir Alex Ferguson and had a wand of a left-foot at Previous Trafford.
The Welshman has the file for many appearances within the Premier League (632) and probably the most Premier League assists (162), and his tally of 13 league titles highlights his longevity on the high stage.
