The 20 Most Two-Footed Players in Football History – Ranked

July 9, 2025 Oliver Obel

In football, being two-footed is a rare and precious trait. It allows players to be unpredictable, versatile, and devastating in attack or defense. In this article, we count down the 20 most ambidextrous footballers in history — those who could strike, pass, dribble, and create with either foot — starting from number 20 all the way to number 1.

20. Ivan Perisic

Despite being naturally left-footed, Ivan Perisic has consistently used both feet to great effect throughout his career. His ambidexterity allowed him to play on both flanks and even fill in as a wing-back when required.

19. Pavel Nedved

Pavel Nedved, the Czech Ballon d'Or winner, was famed for his thunderous strikes and excellent balance. His two-footed shooting made him lethal from distance and a threat on either wing.

18. Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos may be predominantly right-footed, but his left foot is nearly just as accurate, especially for short and medium-range passing. His composure and distribution with both feet helped define Real Madrid's midfield for a decade.

17. Pedro

Pedro's ability to score and assist with either foot was a hallmark of his Barcelona and Chelsea days. He was known for cutting inside from both wings and executing finishes with either foot effortlessly.

16. Diego Forlan

Diego Forlán — Celso Pupo / Shutterstock.com

Forlan's long-range shooting ability made him one of the most feared strikers of his era, and much of that stemmed from his ambidextrous technique. Whether with his left or right, he could strike cleanly and powerfully.

15. Neymar

Neymar Jr. — imagestockdesign / Shutterstock.com

Neymar’s flair and creativity are usually associated with his right foot, but he’s shown time and again that his left foot is equally capable. His dribbling and finishing are fluid regardless of which foot he uses.

14. Wesley Sneijder

A midfield general with a knack for the spectacular, Sneijder could dictate the pace of the game using either foot. His passing range and shooting accuracy were truly two-footed in nature.

13. Son Heung-min

One of the most two-footed modern attackers, Son has scored stunning goals with both feet, even in the same match. His balance and control make him a constant threat regardless of his positioning.

12. George Best

The Northern Irish icon dazzled defenders with his technical brilliance, using both feet to weave his way through challenges. Best's unpredictability was due in large part to his ambidextrous style.

11. Paolo Maldini

Even as a defender, Paolo Maldini’s control and distribution with both feet were world-class. Whether playing as a left-back or centrally, he maintained elegance and precision in every action.

10. Ousmane Dembele

Often cited as one of the most two-footed players of the modern era, Dembele’s dribbling, crossing, and shooting are nearly symmetrical. Defenders are left guessing, as he switches feet seamlessly mid-play.

9. Alfredo Di Stefano

A true legend of Real Madrid, Di Stefano could strike and orchestrate with either foot. His intelligence and adaptability made him a generational great, and his ambidexterity was central to that.

8. Glenn Hoddle

One of England’s most naturally gifted midfielders, Hoddle was left-footed but equally adept with his right. His range of passing and shooting ability made him a joy to watch.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

While naturally right-footed, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored plenty of goals with his left — from volleys to powerful drives. His ability to use both feet has contributed immensely to his goal-scoring record.

6. Sir Bobby Charlton

An icon of English football, Charlton could strike ferociously with either foot, making him a fearsome shooter. His balanced technique helped him become one of England's all-time greats.

5. Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne’s right foot is his wand, but his left isn’t far behind. He delivers pinpoint passes, assists, and even goals with either foot, making him one of the most complete midfielders in the game.

4. Johan Cruyff

Cruyff’s technical mastery included incredible balance and control with both feet. Whether creating space, executing the “Cruyff turn,” or finishing chances, his ambidexterity shone throughout his career.

3. Pele

Pele's record-breaking career was marked by his grace and power, no matter which foot he used. His two-footed control and finishing helped him dominate defenders and rack up over a thousand goals.

2. Zinedine Zidane

Zidane was poetry in motion, and a large part of that came from his effortless ability to use both feet. Whether dribbling, passing, or scoring, his two-footedness added to his iconic elegance on the pitch.

1. Santi Cazorla

Santi Carzorla — photoyh / Shutterstock.com

Topping the list is Santi Cazorla, whose two-footedness is almost mythical. So ambidextrous is the Spaniard that he takes set-pieces with both feet — a rarity even at the elite level. His technique, creativity, and versatility make him arguably the most two-footed player in football history.