Best Wingers in the World 2024: The job of wingers in soccer has changed over time. Nowadays, it’s common for right-footed players to be on the left wing as inverted wingers.
Traditional wingers, who used to run along the touchline and make crosses into the penalty area, are not as common anymore. Many teams now prefer versatile attackers who can play anywhere in the front line.
Best Players In The World By Position
But there are still some players who stick to the traditional winger role. They rely on their speed, ability to make good crosses, and skill in one-on-one situations to create chances for their team.
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Best Wingers in the World 2024
The Top 25 players mentioned here have changed the winger position. They are outstanding players who have won big competitions, are legends in their clubs or countries, and have made history in football.
1. Lionel Messi
- Country: Argentina Spain
- Age: 36
- Club: Inter Miami CF
The best winger in the world is Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and considered one of the greatest football players ever. He can move around the field, dribble past the entire opposing defense, and score goals. With over 830 goals, he is one of the highest-scoring players in history.
Messi is known for his liveliness, speed, passing, and finishing skills, making him capable of single-handedly changing the course of a match.
Messi spent most of his career at FC Barcelona, where he achieved significant success. In 16 seasons with Barcelona, he won La Liga 10 times, 4 Spanish Cups, and 4 Champions League titles. Messi scored 672 goals in 778 matches for Barcelona, becoming the all-time leading scorer in La Liga and FC Barcelona history. On 15 July 2023, he made his 2nd career transfer to Inter Miami for a two-and-a-half-year contract.
While Messi’s international career initially had mixed results, he is regarded as one of the best Argentine players in history. He won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and, until 2021, it was his only title with Argentina. After being a finalist in various tournaments, Messi finally secured victory in the Copa America in 2021, his first major international trophy.
Messi’s achievements make him undeniably one of the greatest wingers of all time, especially after he won the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
- Country: Portugal
- Age: 38
- Club: Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo, known for his relentless work ethic and exceptional football skills, is considered the second Best Wingers in the World. He’s a well-rounded attacker, possessing strength, speed, and impressive finishing abilities.
Ronaldo is also known for his excellence in Free kicks and is recognized as one of the best free-kick takers in history. His talent and consistent performance have allowed him to make a mark at various major European clubs.
Starting his career at Sporting Portugal, Ronaldo quickly moved to Manchester United after just one season. During his time with the Red Devils, he won the Premier League three times and secured his first Champions League title.
Ronaldo then spent nine seasons at Real Madrid, winning the La Liga twice and an impressive four Champions League titles, including three consecutive ones. After a stint at Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021, finishing as the club’s top scorer in his only full season before his contract was terminated in 2022. In 2023, he signed with Al Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo has also excelled with the Portuguese national team, scoring 128 goals in 205 matches. Despite being a finalist in Euro 2004, he finally secured his first international title during Euro 2016. Ronaldo consistently proves to be an essential part of his team during every competition.
His numerous successes have not only solidified his place as one of the best wingers but also made him one of the richest footballers in the world.
3. Kylian Mbappé
- Country: France Cameroon
- Age: 25
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian Mbappé is recognized as the 3rd Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Although he excels as a center forward, he also plays the left-winger role perfectly. Currently considered the best striker, Mbappé is a nightmare for defenders due to his incredible speed and dazzling movements.
He displays exceptional quickness on the ball and appears comfortable even when facing two defenders simultaneously. Mbappé is widely predicted to win multiple Ballon d’Or awards in the future, and he has consistently showcased outstanding form for both his club and country throughout the year.
In the 2023/24 season, playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 23 matches across all competitions.
One of his standout performances occurred in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a hat trick in the final. This outstanding achievement led him to receive the Golden Boot award for being the top scorer in the tournament.
Mbappé’s remarkable skills and achievements solidify his position as one of the top wingers in the world.
4. Vinicius Junior
- Country: Brazil Spain
- Age: 23
- Club: Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior holds the 4th spot as the Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Over the recent seasons, the Real Madrid winger has transformed into one of the best striker in the world. His skills as a winger are evident – his dazzling speed, ball control, and quick decision-making create numerous challenges for opposing defenses.
Vinicius is known for his dynamic playing style, combining a relentless work rate with the ability to backtrack effectively, making him a valuable asset to any team. His goal-scoring prowess has also seen significant improvement in recent seasons.
At just 23 years old, Vinicius is recognized for his immense potential and is considered one of the most promising young talents in international football. In 14 appearances across all competitions with Real Madrid since the start of the season, the Brazilian international has scored 6 goals and provided 4 assists, showcasing his impact on the field.
5. Bukayo Saka
- Country: England Nigeria
- Age: 22
- Club: Arsenal FC
Bukayo Saka holds the 5th spot as the Best Winger in the World in our ranking. In just three years, he has transformed from a speedy winger to one of the top right-wingers in the world, despite being only 22 years old.
Saka’s game is marked by his impressive speed, awareness of his surroundings, and passing skills. However, what truly sets him apart is his exceptional decision-making, both on and off the ball. This quality makes him a formidable force that’s challenging for defenders to handle.
The Arsenal No.7 has spent his entire first-team career with Arsenal, winning an FA Cup and two FA Community Shields. Over time, he has become one of the most influential players for Arsenal. Notably, he was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season for both the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.
Crucial in Arsenal’s pursuit of titles, Saka is still in the growth phase, and there’s a belief that he has the potential to become even more outstanding as he enters his mid-23s. His combination of skills and decision-making makes him a standout winger in the world of football.
6. Neymar
- Country: Brazil
- Age: 31
- Club: Al-Hilal SFC
Neymar is ranked as the 6th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. The Brazilian striker and seasoned national player initially rose to prominence at FC Santos before making a move to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2013. During his four years with Barcelona, he clinched the Spanish championship twice and secured a Champions League victory in 2015.
In August 2017, Neymar set a record transfer fee of 222 million euros with his move to Paris Saint-Germain, a record that still stands today. With PSG, he won the French championship five times before relocating to his current club, al-Hilal, in Saudi Arabia, six years later.
Neymar has been a part of the Brazilian national team since 2010 and is their all-time leading goalscorer. He has participated in three World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and Copa Américas (2011, 2015, 2021). His most significant achievement in the Seleção jersey was winning the 2013 Confederations Cup in his home country. Additionally, with the Olympic team, he secured a gold medal in Brazil in 2016.
7. Sadio Mané
- Country: Senegal
- Age: 31
- Club: Al-Nassr FC
Sadio Mané holds the 7th spot as the Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Known for his pressing, dribbling, and speed, Mané is often considered one of the best wingers of all time.
At Liverpool, he formed a potent attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, helping the team reach back-to-back UEFA Champions League Finals and winning the latter in 2019. Mané also played a key role in Liverpool winning the 2019–20 Premier League, ending a 30-year title drought. He finished as the joint-top goalscorer in the 2018–19 season, earning the Premier League Golden Boot.
Mané has been a prolific scorer for Senegal, registering 38 goals in 99 appearances since his debut in 2012. He is Senegal’s all-time top goalscorer and represented his nation in various tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He played a crucial role in Senegal winning their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021, where he scored the winning penalty kick in the final shootout and was named the Player of the Tournament. In 2022, Mané was again crowned African Player of the Year for the second time.
8. Ousmane Dembélé
- Country: France
- Age: 26
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Ousmane Dembélé is ranked as the 8th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. His career began at Rennes before he joined Borussia Dortmund in 2016. With Dortmund, he won the DFB-Pokal in the 2016–17 season, even scoring a goal in the final.
A year later, he made a high-profile transfer to Barcelona for an initial fee of €105 million, becoming one of the joint-second most expensive footballers at that time, alongside compatriot Paul Pogba.
During his time with Barcelona, Dembélé secured three La Liga, two Copa del Rey, and two Supercopa de España titles before returning to France with Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
Having won 20 caps and scoring five goals at the youth level, Dembélé made his senior international debut for France in 2016. He was a crucial part of the France squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and he also featured in UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
9. Mohamed Salah
- Country: Egypt
- Age: 31
- Club: Liverpool FC
Ranked as the 9th Best Winger in the World, Mohamed Salah is a prolific right winger and forward for Liverpool. Known for his clinical finishing, dribbling, and speed, Salah has achieved many awards, including setting records for most Premier League goals in a season and playing a crucial role in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League wins.
Beyond football, Salah is a symbol of national pride in Egypt, recognized as the “Fourth Pyramid” and the “Pride of the Arabs,” and has been named in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people.
His international contributions to Egypt, including being named CAF African Footballer of the Year, have further solidified his status as one of the greatest African players of all time.
10. Leroy Sané
- Country: Germany France
- Age: 27
- Club: Bayern Munich
Leroy Sané holds the 10th spot as the Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Currently playing as a winger for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, Sané is renowned for his exceptional pace and dribbling skills.
His professional journey began with Schalke 04 in 2014, and he later transferred to Manchester City in 2016 for an initial fee of £37 million. Sané made a significant impact, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2017–18, and becoming the first and only German player to receive this award.
His contributions were vital in helping Manchester City secure the Premier League and EFL Cup. Sané made his senior debut for Germany in November 2015 and played a role in their squad reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016.
His impressive performances have earned him recognition among the top wingers in the world.
11. Marcus Rashford
- Country: England St. Kitts & Nevis
- Age: 26
- Club: Manchester United
Marcus Rashford is recognized as the 11th Best Winger in the World in our ranking, although he often alternates between a center forward and a winger role.
Despite his effectiveness in a central position, Rashford remains a brilliant winger known for baiting and outflanking defenders with his incredible speed and skill. His repertoire of tricks makes watching him play a real pleasure. With Manchester United, Rashford has achieved success, winning the FA Cup, two EFL Cups, the FA Community Shield, and the UEFA Europa League.
Rashford made a significant impact on his England debut in May 2016, becoming the youngest English player to score in his first senior international match. He has represented England in multiple UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups, including the 2020 Euro final where England finished as runners-up to Italy.
At 26 years old, Rashford is currently experiencing his best individual season with Manchester United, scoring three goals and providing five assists in 24 matches across all competitions.
12. Phil Foden
- Country: England
- Age: 23
- Club: Manchester City
Phil Foden is ranked as the 12th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Making his debut for Manchester City in the same year he joined the club, Foden quickly rose to prominence and was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in December.
With over 200 appearances for City, he has amassed fourteen honors, including a continental treble in the 2022–23 season and the distinction of being the youngest recipient of a Premier League winner’s medal in 2018.
Foden’s achievements include winning a second Premier League title in 2019 and becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer for Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. Notably, he holds the record as the youngest English player to both start a match and score in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Recognized for his stellar performances, Foden received the Premier League Young Player of the Season and PFA Young Player of the Year awards in both 2021 and 2022.
Foden played a part in England’s squads for UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
13. Rodrygo
- Country: Brazil Spain
- Age: 22
- Club: Real Madrid
Rodrygo is ranked as the 13th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Currently playing as a winger or forward for La Liga club Real Madrid, Rodrygo began his career with Santos, where he showcased his skills in 80 games and scored 17 goals.
In 2019, he made a significant transfer to Real Madrid for €45 million. Rodrygo made his senior debut for Brazil in 2019 at the age of 18, highlighting his early success and recognition.
Additionally, Real Madrid recently extended Rodrygo’s contract, with the new expiration date set for June 30, 2028, showcasing the club’s confidence in his abilities.
14. Rafael Leão
- Country: Portugal Angola
- Age: 24
- Club: AC Milan
Rafael Leão is recognized as the 14th Best Winger in the World in our ranking, showcasing his versatility as a player who can operate as a striker, winger, or attacking midfielder. His exceptional speed and dribbling ability make him a formidable challenge for opposing defenders.
Having graduated from the Sporting CP youth system, Leão made his first-team debut in 2018, winning the 2017–18 Taça da Liga. However, due to an incident within the club, he unilaterally terminated his contract and subsequently joined Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer. AC Milan secured his services in 2019 for a reported fee of €35 million.
In his third season with AC Milan, Leão played a crucial role in the team’s triumph in the 2021–22 Serie A, ending the club’s 11-year league title drought. His impressive performances earned him the Serie A Most Valuable Player title and a spot on the Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist.
Known for his goal-scoring skills and ability to find the net from various positions in the final third, Leão has become a key player for both AC Milan and the Portuguese national team. In the current season, he has made 21 appearances in all competitions for AC Milan, contributing with 5 goals and 5 assists at 24 years old.
15. Gabriel Martinelli
- Country: Brazil Italy
- Age: 22
- Club: Arsenal FC
Gabriel Martinelli is ranked as the 15th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Currently playing as a left winger or forward for Premier League club Arsenal and the Brazil national team, Martinelli made a significant entry into his senior career with Ituano before joining Arsenal in July 2019 at the age of 18. In his debut season with Arsenal, he contributed to winning the FA Cup.
Representing Brazil at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Martinelli achieved Olympic Gold in men’s football. Two years later, he made his senior debut for Brazil and was part of the squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Known for his electric pace and dazzling footwork, Martinelli poses a challenging threat to defenders, effortlessly gliding past them and creating dangerous situations with remarkable agility.
16. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Country: Georgia
- Age: 22
- Club: SSC Napoli
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is recognized as the 16th Best Winger in the World in our ranking, making a significant impact on European football this season. The Georgia international joined Napoli last summer, initially relatively unknown, but quickly emerged as one of the best strikers in the world.
Starting his senior career at the age of 16 with Dinamo Tbilisi, Kvaratskhelia has notable stints with clubs like Rustavi, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Rubin Kazan. He received two consecutive Russian Premier League Best Young Player awards during his three-year tenure.
After a brief spell at Dinamo Batumi, Kvaratskhelia signed for Napoli in 2022, leading the club to a record UEFA Champions League campaign and their first Serie A title in 33 years in his debut season. He finished as the league’s top assist provider, earning him the Serie A Most Valuable Player and the Champions League’s Young Player of the Season.
Known for tormenting defenders with his speed, silky dribbling, excellent decision-making, and intelligent movement, Kvaratskhelia played a crucial role in Napoli’s dominance in Serie A. In the current season, he has scored 5 goals and provided 5 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions for Napoli.
17. Luis Díaz
- Country: Colombia
- Age: 26
- Club: Liverpool FC
Luis Díaz is ranked as the 17th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. His professional journey began in the Colombian Second Division at Barranquilla, followed by a successful stint at Atlético Junior, where he secured victories in Categoría Primera A, one Copa Colombia, and one Superliga Colombiana.
In 2019, Díaz made a move to Porto for a reported fee of €7 million, experiencing success with two doubles in Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal, along with one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
His exceptional performance, marked by 14 league goals in 18 games during the first half of the 2021–22 season, led to a transfer to Liverpool in a deal worth €45 million (£37.5 million). In his debut season with Liverpool, he contributed to winning the EFL Cup and FA Cup, earning the title of man of the match in the latter final.
Making his senior international debut for Colombia in 2018, Díaz has earned over 30 caps for his national team. Known for his electric pace and dazzling footwork, Díaz poses a significant challenge for defenders, effortlessly gliding past them and creating dangerous situations with remarkable agility.
18. Xavi Simons
- Country: Netherlands Suriname
- Age: 20
- Club: RB Leipzig
Xavi Simons is ranked as the 18th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Initially developed in Barcelona’s La Masia, he made a notable move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in July 2019. During his time with PSG, he secured a Ligue 1 title and a Coupe de France.
In 2022, Simons returned to the Netherlands, joining PSV, where he achieved success by winning the KNVB Cup, Johan Cruyff Shield, and the Eredivisie top scorer award in his sole season with the club. His promising talent led to a return to PSG in 2023, followed by an immediate loan to RB Leipzig in Germany.
Having represented the Netherlands at the youth level, Simons received his first call-up to the national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Simons is indeed a talent worth monitoring closely, and his potential suggests he could reach the pinnacle of wing play in the coming years.
19. Jack Grealish
- Country: England Ireland
- Age: 28
- Club: Manchester City
Jack Grealish is ranked as the 19th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Widely regarded as one of the best wingers globally, Grealish is recognized for his exceptional dribbling and playmaking abilities, coupled with robust defensive skills.
Additionally, he holds a prominent status as one of the most popular and marketable athletes in England.
Grealish’s football journey began at Aston Villa, where he joined at the age of six. After a loan stint at Notts County, he made his debut for Aston Villa in May 2014 and eventually became the club captain in 2019.
In 2021, Grealish made a high-profile move to Manchester City in a transfer deal worth £100 million, establishing him as the most expensive British player at the time. In his debut season with Manchester City, he secured a Premier League title, followed by a continental treble in the subsequent campaign.
Born in England with Irish ancestry, Grealish had the option to represent either England or the Republic of Ireland internationally. Grealish’s international career includes winning the 2016 Toulon Tournament with the England under-21s and representing the senior side at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
20. Kingsley Coman
- Country: France Guadeloupe
- Age: 27
- Club: Bayern Munich
Kingsley Coman is ranked as the 20th Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Trained at Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, Coman made a significant move to Juventus in 2014 as a free agent, achieving immediate success by winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia in his inaugural season in Italy.
Following a loan to Bayern Munich in August 2015, Coman’s move became permanent, leading to an impressive trophy haul that includes seven Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokal titles, four DFL-Supercup victories, and the 2020 UEFA Super Cup. Notably, he scored the decisive goal in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League final against his former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Coman boasts an international career with 39 caps and 11 goals for France’s youth teams, spanning from under-16 to under-21 levels. Making his senior team debut in November 2015, he played a key role in France’s journey to the final at UEFA Euro 2016, Euro 2020, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the final once again, with Coman unfortunately missing a penalty in the shootout.
Additionally, Coman stands out for winning a league title in every season since turning professional, highlighting his consistent success in football.
21. Jérémy Doku
- Country: Belgium Ghana
- Age: 21
- Club: Manchester City
Jérémy Doku is ranked as the 21st Best Winger in the World in our ranking. Renowned for his remarkable speed and dribbling skills, he is widely considered one of the most talented young players in his position in the world.
Doku initiated his senior professional career with Anderlecht during the 2018–19 season, where he showcased his abilities by scoring five goals in 34 league appearances over multiple seasons. In 2020, he made a move to Ligue 1 club Rennes, accumulating 75 appearances and scoring ten goals, before making a significant transfer to Manchester City in August 2023 for €65 million.
Doku’s impressive talent has earned him a spot in the senior Belgium squad since 2020, following a successful journey through various youth levels, starting from the under-15s. He has represented his nation at prestigious tournaments such as UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
22. Takefusa Kubo
- Country: Japan
- Age: 22
- Club: Real Sociedad
Takefusa Kubo ranked as the 22nd Best Winger in the World currently plays as a right winger for La Liga club Real Sociedad. His football journey began at an early age, joining FC Barcelona’s youth Academy, La Masia, before later returning to Japan and signing with FC Tokyo’s junior youth team.
After stints at Real Madrid and loan spells at clubs like Mallorca, Villarreal, and Getafe, Kubo found a permanent home at Real Sociedad in July 2022.
His impressive performances with Real Sociedad, including scoring in his debut and earning recognition against former club Real Madrid, highlight his growing influence. On the international stage, Kubo has been involved with Japan’s national teams from U-15 to senior levels, featuring in tournaments the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Copa América.
His notable inclusion in the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad for Japan further underscores his talent and potential.
23. Moussa Diaby
- Country: France Mali
- Age: 24
- Club: Aston Villa
Moussa Diaby ranked as the 23rd Best Winger in the World, is a versatile player who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa. Diaby began his career at the Paris Saint-Germain Youth Academy, where he garnered recognition as the most promising talent, winning the 2016 Titi d’Or.
In 2019, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored crucial goals, including one in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals, and secured a spot in the 2020 DFB-Pokal Final. His impressive performances continued in the Bundesliga, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists in the 2022–23 season.
In July 2023, Diaby joined Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with former PSG manager Unai Emery. He made an immediate impact, scoring in a pre-season victory and netting on his Premier League debut against Newcastle United.
Diaby has also represented France at various youth levels, earning a place in the team of the tournament at the 2018 UEFA European U19 Championship and making his senior debut in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
24. Federico Chiesa
- Country: Italy
- Age: 26
- Club: Juventus FC
Federico Chiesa ranked as the 24th Best Winger in the World, is a versatile player known for his skills as a left winger or second striker at Serie A club Juventus. Born into a football family, being the son of former player Enrico Chiesa, Federico emerged through Fiorentina’s youth academy, making his first-team debut in 2016.
During his four-year stint at Fiorentina, he showcased his talent, scoring 34 goals in 153 appearances across various competitions.
In the 2020–21 season, Chiesa made a significant move to Juventus, where he made an immediate impact by contributing to the team’s success in winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in his debut season.
Chiesa made his senior debut for the Italian national team in March 2018 and played a crucial role in Italy’s victory at the UEFA Euro 2020, where he was also named in the Team of the Tournament.
25. Raheem Sterling
- Country: England Jamaica
- Age: 29
- Club: Chelsea FC
Raheem Sterling, the 25th Best Winger in the World, is a dynamic player known for his contributions as a winger for Premier League club Chelsea. His football journey began at Queens Park Rangers before making a significant move to Liverpool in 2010.
Sterling’s impressive performances earned him the Golden Boy Award in 2014. In July 2015, he joined Manchester City in a groundbreaking transfer potentially worth £49 million, setting a record as the highest transfer fee paid for an English player at the time.
At Manchester City, Sterling played a key role in winning back-to-back Premier League titles in 2017–18 and 2018–19. His exceptional 2018–19 season earned him awards like PFA Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.
Sterling made his senior debut for England in November 2012, representing the country in various youth levels before that. He has been a consistent presence in England’s squads for major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018, and 2022, as well as the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and 2020.
Sterling is renowned for his speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability, making him a versatile asset capable of playing on either wing or as a central striker.
