Introduction
In the electrifying world of football, no position quite captures the essence of excitement and skill like that of a winger. The sight of these players dribbling past defenders with breathtaking pace and precision is a spectacle that leaves fans in awe. While traditional touchline-hugging wingers have become somewhat rare in modern football, there are still exceptional talents who keep the tradition alive. In this article, we celebrate the top 5 right wingers in world football, showcasing their prowess and impact on the beautiful game.
1. Mohamed Salah
When it comes to right wingers, none can match the sheer devastation in front of goal displayed by Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian maestro stands in a league of his own among Premier League wingers. Salah has distinguished himself in recent seasons with his exceptional consistency as a goal scorer in the Premier League, joining Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo as key names among goal scorers. At 31, he continues to excel each week and remains one of its premier goal scorers.
Salah possesses the ability to take on defenders, unleashes shots that terrorize goalkeepers, and orchestrates goals with sensational through balls. He is the complete offensive package. Last season, Salah only managed 19 goals and 12 assists, which many perceived to be subpar for his caliber. As Jurgen Klopp works to revitalize Liverpool’s midfield, Salah looks to continue his goal-scoring form; Liverpool should prioritize keeping their Egyptian superstar happy as they enter his later stages of an impressive career.
2. Bukayo Saka
At just 19 years old, Bukayo Saka faced the immense pressure of missing a crucial penalty against Italy in the Euro final. Saka has made headlines around the world thanks to his impressive work ethic as an Arsenal winger at only 22 years old. His fitness and all-around game helped cement him as their star player when they narrowly fell short in winning their third consecutive Premier League title last season.
Saka played all 38 Premier League matches during 2022-23 season and scored 14 goals with 11 assists. His performances continue to develop weekly; whether long-range shooting, link-up play, or taking on opponents; don’t be surprised to see him become one of the leading goalscorers soon enough!
3. Rodrygo
Real Madrid continues its wait for Kylian Mbappe’s possible transfer. While they wait, Real Madrid relies on existing superstars for goal scoring opportunities. Among them, Rodrygo has emerged as a clutch performer, consistently delivering on the biggest stages. Rodrygo doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional winger who relies on pace to beat defenders; instead, his knack for combining with teammates makes him a lethal weapon in Real Madrid’s arsenal.
Carlo Ancelotti suggested Vinicius could excel as either a center forward or second striker; but, as things currently stand, he excels as a winger and ranks among the world’s finest in that role. With Jude Bellingham now taking up a false nine position for Real Madrid this season, expect Vinicius and Rodrygo to make dangerous runs into Real Madrid’s front three for goalscoring opportunities that could accrue quickly for this team.
4. Leroy Sane
Leroy Sane has long been recognized for his incredible talent, but although his performances may have fallen below initial expectations, he remains an invaluable asset to Bayern Munich and Germany’s national side. Sane’s outstanding pace combined with a powerful left-footed shot make him most effective when deployed on the right flank and allow him to cut inside onto his preferred foot is key for Bayern’s success and national team glory.
Last season, Sane contributed to 15 goals, a tally that is likely to improve with Harry Kane leading Bayern’s frontline. With Kane’s tendency to drop deep, players like Sane are expected to exploit the space created by drifting inside from the wings, posing a constant threat to defenders.
5. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez remains one of the premier right-wingers in global football despite recently leaving Manchester City for Saudi Arabia on an attractive deal, and this list stands as testament to his unfaltering quality and longstanding place among his peers. Even during Pep Guardiola’s preferred selection of Bernardo Silva as his replacement at Manchester City last season, Mahrez was still an influential force.
At 32, Mahrez may not feature on such lists for long; but, even now, his pace and agility make him one of the world’s premier fullbacks. While in England, he won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a Community Shield trophy, and eventually, his remarkable Premier League journey culminated with Leicester City and Manchester City joining forces to take home six Premier League championships between them and ultimately winning Champions League glory – an amazing run that only culminated with winning this competition as well!
Mahrez’s exceptional combination play with Jamie Vardy and his lethal finishing on big Champions League nights are unforgettable. He rightfully earns his place as the starting point of our list, a name that commands utmost respect in the world of football.
Honorable Mentions
While these five right wingers steal the spotlight, two players deserve honorable mentions. Raphinha, after a three-way transfer battle last season, ended up at Barcelona. While his career in Spain had a slow start, he is gradually finding his rhythm, contributing to Barcelona’s title triumph over Real Madrid. Expect him to build on his 14 goal contributions from last season.
Ange Postecoglou will be keeping an eye on Dejan Kulusevski this season as he rediscovers his scintillating form under Ange Postecoglou and could emerge as a key figure at Tottenham Hotspur as they prepare for life without Harry Kane. Keep your eyes peeled for some impressive assist numbers from this Swedish international!
In conclusion, these five right wingers, along with the honorable mentions, showcase the diverse talents and styles that make modern football so enthralling. Their skills, consistency, and ability to shine on the biggest stages affirm their status as some of the best players in the world.
