The right wing position has always held a special place in football. A team
with a talented right-winger, possessing speed, skill, and other attributes,
significantly increases its chances of success. Countless matches have proven
the immense impact this position can have on the outcome of a game. In this
article from Goal Reader Blog, we will explore five players widely regarded as
the greatest right-wingers of all time
Lionel Messi
How can we not mention one of the greatest players in football history, and
according to many fans, the best, the legend of Barcelona and the Argentine
national team, Lionel Messi, whose magic is undisputed!
Lionel Messi, who left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain and then Inter Miami,
has created countless memorable moments. Many of Messi’s unforgettable moments
at Camp Nou and across European stadiums are hard to replicate in history.
Some may not consider Lionel Messi a right-winger, and indeed, it is
challenging to pinpoint a specific position for Messi on the field. However,
the right-wing position, which is often assigned to Lionel on paper, usually
witnesses Messi's most active performances during matches.
Lionel Messi's Stats with Barcelona
With Barcelona, Lionel Messi participated in 778 matches, achieving an almost
unbelievable statistic by contributing to 941 goals! He scored 672 goals and
provided 269 assists.
Gareth Bale
Some may be surprised to see Gareth Bale's name among the top five
right-wingers historically, considering the disappointing end of his career
with his major club, Real Madrid. However, what Bale delivered in the world's
strongest leagues with Tottenham, and even with Real Madrid over several
seasons, qualifies him to be on this list.
Gareth Bale's Overall Stats and with Real Madrid
Throughout his career, which ended last year, Gareth Bale played in 664
matches across various clubs and competitions, contributing to 378 goals by
scoring 226 goals and providing 152 assists.
Regarding his career with Real Madrid, the Welshman played 258 matches,
contributing to 173 goals by scoring 106 goals and providing 67 assists.
Arjen Robben
No list of the best right-wingers historically can omit Arjen Robben, the
legend of Bayern Munich and the Dutch national team, who also played for
significant clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
During his career, which ended three years ago, Robben excelled in all aspects
a winger should have: speed, skill, powerful shots, etc. He is best known for
his famous curling shot, known as the R2.
Arjen Robben's Career Stats
Throughout his career and in various competitions, Arjen Robben played in 710
matches, contributing to 445 goals by scoring 246 goals and providing 199
assists.
Samuel Eto'o
Let's move a bit towards Africa and remind you of Samuel Eto'o, one of the
best right-wingers historically, and one of the few Africans who have secured
a place in the memory of football fans worldwide.
What is often noted about Eto'o is his frequent transfers between teams.
Imagine that Eto'o had experiences with 13 different clubs, the most notable
being Barcelona and Inter Milan. He also had an unsuccessful and brief stint
with Real Madrid.
Samuel Eto'o's Stats with Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid
With Barcelona, Samuel Eto'o played 206 matches, contributing to 170 goals by
scoring 130 goals and providing 40 assists.
With Real Madrid, he played only seven matches without contributing to any
goals.
During his time with Inter Milan, Eto'o played 102 matches, contributing to 78
goals by scoring 53 goals and providing 25 assists.
David Beckham
According to the renowned magazine France Football, English football legend
David Beckham is one of the most versatile right-wingers historically.
Beckham, who played for elite European teams like Manchester United and Real
Madrid, has many attributes that qualify him to be among the top five
right-wingers historically. Who among us does not know Beckham's unparalleled
precision in his touches?
From our posts: From La Masia to the World Stage: The Power of Barcelona's Academy.
David Beckham's Career Stats
In various competitions, David Beckham played in 718 matches, contributing to
341 goals by scoring 127 goals and providing 214 assists.
The above numbers might suggest Beckham's capabilities are modest. However,
although statistics are crucial for evaluating attackers, low numbers do not
always indicate a player's modesty. Many players, if we look at their stats,
do not seem to deserve much praise, yet their roles during the ninety minutes
suggest otherwise.