Right-wingers have undergone significant changes in recent years, evolving from isolated players on the sidelines to dynamic playmakers within the team.
In the past, right-wingers majorly focused on attacking from the wings, but now they play a more diverse role, actively participating in building plays and linking up with teammates.
The traditional idea of a winger who sticks to the touchline and delivers crosses has evolved with the emergence of the “inverted” wide man.
These players are expected to cut inside onto their dominant foot, creating scoring opportunities or taking shots from central positions.
While there are still some players who maintain the classic style of a right winger, they are becoming increasingly rare, with most top players in this position embracing the versatile and multifaceted role demanded by modern football.
Contents
- Who Is A Right Winger?
- Other Best Right Winger In The World
Who Is A Right Winger?
A right winger in soccer is a player who operates on the right side of the field during attacks.
Their main job is to provide width to the team’s offense by staying wide on the right flank. They often deliver crosses into the opponent’s penalty area to create scoring chances for their teammates.
Modern right wingers are also expected to have good dribbling skills and speed. They may cut inside to take shots on goal or set up scoring opportunities for themselves or their teammates.
1. Lionel Messi
When it comes to discussing the best players in football history across various positions like midfielder, forward, right winger, and free kick taker, Lionel Messi’s name is always among the top 5, solidifying his legacy as the greatest soccer player of all time.
Messi is renowned for his scoring prowess, strategic positioning, quick reflexes, and knack for making penetrating runs to outmaneuver defenders. He’s also adept at orchestrating plays, thanks to his exceptional vision and passing range.
Often likened to a magician, he has a remarkable ability to create scoring opportunities seemingly out of thin air.
Tactically, Messi operates in a fluid attacking role, capable of thriving on either the flank or through the center. His preferred position during his youth was as the playmaker behind two strikers, a role known as the “enganche” in Argentine football.
As his career progressed, Messi’s off-the-ball efforts and defensive duties decreased.
By conserving energy and focusing on short bursts of speed, he improved his efficiency, movement, and positioning while minimizing the risk of muscular injuries, despite enduring a demanding match schedule.
Messi’s combination of speed and technical prowess allows him to embark on mesmerizing dribbling runs, particularly during counterattacks, often starting from midfield or the right wing.
Widely regarded as one of the best dribblers in the world, he’s considered one of the greatest of all time in this aspect of the game.
2. Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal’s exceptional talent at just 16 years old is truly remarkable, especially considering his significant involvement with Barcelona, surpassing even Lionel Messi’s early contributions at the same age.
Whether he settles as a midfielder or continues on the right wing, the future looks incredibly promising for this La Masia prodigy.
However, caution is warranted, as Barcelona must handle him with care, particularly in light of injuries suffered by other young talents like Pedri and Gavi.
With the ball at his feet, Yamal displays a penchant for cutting inside from the right wing onto his favored left foot, becoming a vital component of Barcelona’s attacking strategy by causing havoc in the right channel.
Xavi’s tactical approach, which emphasizes central dominance while creating one-on-one opportunities on the flanks, perfectly complements Yamal’s strengths.
These include his dribbling skills, ability to deliver precise through balls, and, as evidenced in youth competitions, his finishing ability.
Operating as a right winger, Yamal poses a significant threat in attack and exhibits mature decision-making, such as making well-timed runs to draw defenders and create space for his teammates.
An adept dribbler, Yamal also excels in linking up with teammates through short passes, long balls, or crosses into the box.
His movement off the ball is instrumental in Barcelona’s counter-attacking efforts, as he exploits spaces behind the defense or drops deep to create opportunities for his teammates.
3. Mohamed Salah
Salah is recognized for his speed, agility, and clinical finishing, making him a formidable force on the field.
His technical prowess, combined with an eye for goal, distinguishes him as a versatile forward capable of playing multiple roles.
In recent seasons, Salah’s ability to create opportunities for his teammates has garnered attention, evidenced by his impressive assist record in the Premier League. He’s adept at playing on the right wing, cutting inside onto his favored left foot to either shoot or orchestrate quick passing sequences with teammates.
Salah can operate as an attacking midfielder or second striker, showcasing his adaptability and tactical understanding.
Since joining Liverpool, he has become even more lethal in front of goal, thanks in part to manager Jürgen Klopp’s strategic placement of him in more advanced central positions.
Interestingly, Salah’s journey to prominence as a forward began unexpectedly.
Initially deployed as a left-back, his true calling became evident after a match where he missed several scoring chances, leading his coach to recognize his innate goal-scoring instincts and shift him to a forward position.
4. Ousmane Dembele
During his time at Barcelona, Dembele faced considerable frustration, but the arrival of Xavi as coach offered a glimmer of hope.
Despite his challenges at Barcelona, Dembele decided to move to PSG during the summer transfer window. Since joining the club, he has quickly earned the confidence of coach Luis Enrique.
Dembele’s versatility as a winger allows him to operate effectively on either flank, using his proficiency with both feet, technical skills, speed, and agility to outmaneuver opponents in one-on-one situations.
His clinical finishing and goal-scoring instincts also enable him to excel in a more advanced role as a striker, while his prowess in shooting from distance adds another dimension to his attacking threat.
Renowned for his ambidexterity, Dembele’s dribbling skills and flair allow him to navigate through defenses from either wing, creating scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates.
Moreover, he is proficient in delivering accurate crosses and possesses exceptional creativity when in possession, contributing significantly to Barcelona’s attacking play.
His speed and intelligent movement make him a formidable threat.
5. Bukayo Saka
Any discussion about the world’s top right wingers would be incomplete without mentioning Saka.
Bukayo Saka made his professional debut under Unai Emery shortly after turning 17 in the 2018/19 season. However, it wasn’t until the following season that he began to feature regularly.
Initially developed as a winger in the Arsenal academy, Saka caught the attention of Mikel Arteta when he filled in at left-back due to injuries. Despite his versatility, he has now settled into his preferred role as a wide attacking midfielder, becoming a key player for Arsenal.
While he showed promise as a wing-back and improved as a full-back, Saka truly shines as a wide-attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Saka’s creativity is a standout feature, as he has a knack for finding dangerous positions and delivering decisive passes.
He’s comfortable on either flank but excels when given the freedom to drift inside and operate between the lines to receive the ball.
His ability to receive the ball on the half-turn between defenders and quickly progress play is exceptional. By positioning his body sideways, he can move the ball forward while shielding it from opponents.
Moreover, Saka is proficient at receiving the ball while running and delivering accurate crosses into the penalty area, particularly from the left side.
Defenders often try to anticipate passes to him, but he’s quick to exploit any space left behind by running in behind the defense to receive and deliver dangerous balls into the box.
6. Cole Palmer
The 2023/24 season has been tumultuous for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, with Todd Boehly’s ambitious recruitment strategy failing to yield positive results so far.
Despite the challenges, one bright spot for Chelsea has been the emergence of Cole Palmer as one of the most productive forwards in the Premier League this season.
Although he didn’t find success at Manchester City, Chelsea capitalized on his talents by signing him for £42.5 million ($53m), a move that has proven to be a smart investment.
Palmer is a lethal force in the final third, possessing exceptional creativity and decision-making skills.
Whether deployed on the wing in a front three or in a central number 10 role, he consistently delivers decisive passes that unlock opposition defenses.
One of Palmer’s standout abilities is his knack for breaking through defensive lines with precision through balls, particularly those that curl inward, causing havoc for defenders.
At Chelsea, he has excelled at creating scoring opportunities for teammates by exploiting spaces and breaking down compact defensive formations.
Operating from the inside right channel, Palmer utilizes his strong left foot to bend balls inward, setting up runners from the opposite side for goal-scoring opportunities.
His vision and awareness off the ball enable him to identify and exploit gaps in the opposition’s defense, making him a constant threat in attack.
7. Desire Doue
A Champions League final straight out of dreams has made the world pause and pay attention, but even before this magical night.
For the past year, whispers have grown louder: Doue is cut from a rare cloth, the kind that thrills stadiums and stirs memories. He grew up watching Neymar, channeling the carefree brilliance of Ronaldinho, and now it feels only right that the Parc des Princes has become his personal stage.
But to box him in as just another flair player would be a mistake. There’s grit beneath the glitter. Doue tracks back, presses hard, and reads the game with a maturity that belies his age. He’s just as alive without the ball as he is when it’s glued to his feet.
There’s a steeliness to him too, the kind you find in fighters. He’s mentally unshakable, with the frame of someone who could go 12 rounds in the ring.
Doue will be remembered as the boy who finally dragged PSG to glory, the one who did what even Messi and Mbappe couldn’t. Not just because of his skill, but because of the hunger that pushes him further than most.
He’s not just one of the brightest talents in world football, he’s one of the most driven. And that makes all the difference.
8. Rodrygo
The dynamic Brazilian talent, forms one-half of Real Madrid’s formidable attacking duo alongside Vinicius Junior, solidifying his status as one of the standout players in La Liga and Europe in recent years.
Compared to many right-wingers, Rodrygo doesn’t adopt an inverted role; being right-footed, Carlo Ancelotti typically deploys him on the right side, where he’s most effective.
However, this season, he’s often played as a forward alongside Vinicius, with Jude Bellingham operating in the midfield.
Despite standing at just 5’9″, Rodrygo compensates for his lack of height with exceptional agility and technical prowess. His low center of gravity enables him to maneuver swiftly, executing sharp turns that leave defenders struggling to keep pace with him.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2019, Rodrygo has made a significant impact, contributing to 61 goals — scoring 33 and providing 28 assists in 157 appearances.
While he may not possess a blistering pace, his ability to change direction swiftly and exploit pockets of space makes him a constant threat on the field.
Rodrygo’s strength lies in his knack for finding and exploiting spaces in the opposition’s defense, despite not fitting the mold of a traditional winger in terms of height and speed.
His natural ability to navigate through defenses makes him a challenging player to mark effectively.
9. Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most creative players, serving as a vital attacking outlet for Tottenham on the right flank.
Renowned for his dazzling dribbling skills and impressive work rate, Kulusevski’s versatility makes him a perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou’s high-intensity system at Spurs.
Whether hugging the touchline or drifting infield, he adds dynamism to Tottenham’s attacking play.
Statistically, Kulusevski’s creative prowess is evident, with his assists per 90 ranking in the 99th percentile among wingers and forwards in the top five leagues. His Expected Assists (xA) per 90 also ranks impressively in the 77th percentile, underscoring his consistent high-level performance.
Despite his impressive assist and xA numbers, his Shot-Creating action volume falls only in the 46th percentile. Similarly, his dribbles per 90 and shots taken per 90 are below what one might expect based on his creation stats.
Interestingly, while Kulusevski’s shot volume is relatively low, the quality of his shots, as measured by expected goals (xG) per 90, ranks higher in the 56th percentile.
This suggests that although he may not produce a high volume of shots, the chances he does create are of a higher quality, increasing the likelihood of scoring opportunities for Tottenham.
10. Moussa Diaby
Since joining Aston Villa, the former PSG player has been in exceptional form, becoming a vital cog in the team’s setup.
Aston Villa supporters have been delighted with Diaby’s performances, appreciating the skills and flair he brings to the pitch, making him of one the best right wingers in the Premier League.
Manager Unai Emery has effectively used Diaby’s abilities, deploying him as a formidable force on either the right or left flank. Diaby’s proficiency in creating and exploiting spaces has been a key asset for Aston Villa, particularly in and around the opposition’s penalty area.
However, Diaby’s impact goes beyond his speed; he’s not simply reliant on pace alone.
His ability to control the ball at high speeds sets him apart, making him a dangerous threat to opposing defenses.
In the previous season, Diaby ranked among the top five wingers/wide midfielders across the top five leagues in terms of carries ending in a shot or chance created, with an impressive tally of 55.
Eight of these resulted in goals or assists for Diaby, showcasing his effectiveness in the final third.
Diaby embodies modern wing play, demonstrating versatility by drifting inside from the right flank to influence play in central areas, while also possessing the speed and trickery to beat defenders on the outside.
His ambidextrous abilities add another dimension to his game, making him unpredictable in possession. Additionally, Diaby’s prowess in striking the ball further enhances his threat in attack.
Other Best Right Winger In The World
- Raphinha
- Federico Chiesa
- Miguel Almirón
- Moussa Diaby
- Jarrod Bowen
- Ángel Correa
- Riyad Mahrez
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Angel Di Maria
- Domenico Berardi
- Serge Gnabry
- Michael Olise
- Pedro Neto
- Leon Bailey
- Bradley Barcola
- Johan Bakayoko
- Matias Soule
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