If we take a look at the roster of stars and legends that have laced up their boots all over the pitch, the left wing spot has certainly seen its fair share of talent. The left side is undoubtedly one of the most crucial positions on the pitch, as the wings are often relied upon to produce moments of magic and split open defences. With that in mind, we're taking a closer look at five players who cemented their status as legends in the books as deadly left-wingers, so tune in.
Cristiano Ronaldo
While some may debate Cristiano Ronaldo's exact ranking among the greatest players of all time, there's no denying that his achievements warrant a place among the top five left-wingers. The Portuguese superstar, known by various nicknames such as "CR7," "The Don," and "The Tornado," has consistently dazzled fans with his exceptional skills on the biggest stages.
Cristiano Ronaldo's numbers with Real Madrid
During his most prominent stint at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo participated in 438 matches and achieved an extraordinary statistic, contributing to 582 goals! He scored 451 goals and provided 131 assists, making him the all-time top scorer of Europe's most prestigious competitions.
Ronaldinho
Some may question including Ronaldinho in a list of the top five left-wingers in history, but his name has always been closely associated with this position, especially due to his unparalleled skill set in the history of the game. Some even nickname today's skillful wingers as "the new generation's Ronaldinho."
Ronaldinho played for several clubs, most notably AC Milan and Barcelona.
Ronaldinho's numbers with Barcelona
At his most famous club, Barcelona, Ronaldinho participated in 207 matches, contributing to 165 goals, scoring 94 goals and providing 71 assists.
Neymar
Let's agree from the outset that Neymar's consistency is the least among the players who can be listed as the best in their positions in history.
In other words: Neymar, in terms of consistency, isn't among the best wingers in history. His consistency only qualifies him as a star, no more. However, if we consider capabilities without consistency, then the Samba dancer Neymar must be mentioned among the best left-wingers in history.
Neymar's name shone brightly with Barcelona, and he also had a stint with Paris Saint-Germain, as we all know. Most likely, Al-Hilal Saudi is the last stop for the Brazilian left-winger.
Neymar's stats with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain
With Barcelona, Neymar participated in 186 matches, contributing to 181 goals, scoring 105 goals and providing 76 assists.
At his next stop after Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar played in 172 matches, contributing to 195 goals, scoring 118 goals and providing 77 assists.
Franck Ribéry
Many football experts rank Bayern Munich and French national team legend Franck Ribéry among the best wingers in history. Of course, the roles Ribéry played with Bayern Munich secured his status as a world-class player.
Ribéry played for several teams in Europe, most notably Bayern Munich, where he had very impressive numbers and numerous contributions at the Allianz Arena. He came very close to winning the Ballon d'Or in 2013.
Franck Ribéry's stats with Bayern Munich
With the German team Bayern Munich, Franck Ribéry participated in 425 matches, scoring 124 goals and providing 182 assists, contributing to a total of 306 goals.
Thierry Henry
Another French left-winger in our top five historical list is Thierry Henry, whose most notable experiences were with Spanish club Barcelona and English club Arsenal.
Henry proved his worth in various tasks required of players in this position, showcasing accuracy, speed, and more.
Thierry Henry's stats with Barcelona and Arsenal
With Barcelona, Thierry Henry participated in 121 matches, contributing to 76 goals, scoring 49 goals, and providing 27 assists.
With Arsenal, Thierry Henry played in 376 matches, contributing to 302 goals, scoring 228 goals, and providing 74 assists.