The 30 Greatest Wingers of All Time – Ranked from Great to Greatest
Wingers are often among the most entertaining players to watch—and also some of the highest-paid in football. They are explosive, skilled dribblers, and many of them are incredibly dangerous in front of goal.
Here, we have compiled a list of the 30 greatest wingers of all time, ranked based on their impact, skill, and legacy.
30. Douglas Costa
Known for his quick runs and dribbling ability, but his consistency and overall achievements have not quite reached the level of the greatest wingers.
29. Theo Walcott
Extremely fast and energetic, but his career has at times been marked by inconsistency.
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28. Adama Traoré
With a raw combination of physical strength and speed, he has impressed, although his overall career status does not quite match the absolute icons.
27. Hatem Ben Arfa
Possesses exceptional technical skills and creativity but has experienced inconsistent periods in his career.
26. Nani
An elegant Portuguese winger with flair and dribbling ability, but overall, he does not quite measure up to the most dominant names.
25. Kingsley Coman
A modern and entertaining winger with impressive acceleration and technique—but not yet with the historical legacy of some older icons.
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24. Raheem Sterling
Has developed into a dangerous and versatile winger, but his overall career and title collection place him below the absolute legends.
23. Leroy Sané
A dynamic and technically skilled player who continues to develop—but who has yet to reach a status that places him among the all-time greats.
22. Ousmane Dembélé
With dazzling technique and speed, he has been a dangerous force on the wing, though consistency has been a challenge.
21. Mohamed Salah
Started as a classic winger with excellent dribbling and finishing skills and has developed into one of the most prominent modern attackers from the flank.
20. Sadio Mané
A powerful and dynamic winger who has made his mark with explosive runs and goal contributions—but in this ranking, he is placed outside the top 11.
19. Alexis Sánchez
An energetic and versatile player who has made an impact in several leagues with his sharpness and ability to score goals.
18. Michael Laudrup
An elegant playmaker who often operated from the wing and helped define an entire era with his creative vision.
17. Dragan Džajić
A legendary left-winger whose speed and precision set the standard for his generation and inspired countless young players.
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16. Jay-Jay Okocha
A symbol of creative and entertaining football—with his magical dribbling and unpredictable play, he created many unforgettable moments.
15. Ricardo Quaresma
With his signature “trivela” crosses and flair, he often surprised opponents with his unorthodox playing style.
14. Ángel Di María
A versatile and technically strong winger who, with precise crosses and crucial goals, often turned games in his team’s favor.
13. Eden Hazard
With his unique combination of balance, speed, and creativity, Hazard has been a constant threat on the wing, although injuries have sometimes limited his impact.
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12. Kylian Mbappé
A modern superstar who has already made his mark with explosive speed, technique, and goal-scoring ability—but in this ranking, he is placed below the historical icons.
11. Franck Ribéry
A sparkling and dynamic winger who combined speed, technique, and the ability to create chances out of nothing—leaving his mark on an era.
10. Arjen Robben
Best known for his signature move cutting inside from the right flank—his goals and decisive performances defined modern wing play.
9. David Beckham
Famous for his legendary set pieces and precise crosses, he played a crucial role on the wing and became a global superstar.
8. Ryan Giggs
An icon in Manchester United’s history, who over more than two decades displayed outstanding consistency, intelligence, and quality from the left flank.
7. George Best
An early superstar with a magical ability to outplay defenders—his unpredictable and creative play makes him a timeless legend.
6. Sir. Stanley Matthews
The original winger, whose long and successful career set the standard for wing play with exceptional technique and endurance.
5. Luís Figo
An elegant and visionary winger who revolutionized wing play with precise crosses and dribbling, inspiring generations of players.
4. Ronaldinho
A true magician on the wing, known for his imaginative dribbling and creative play, which mesmerized football fans worldwide and created unforgettable moments.
3. Garrincha
Often referred to as the ultimate winger, with an exceptional ability to dribble and unbalance opposing defenses—an eternal symbol of football’s freedom.
2. Lionel Messi
With an outstanding combination of dribbling, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, he often operated from the wing—and his unique football intelligence places him in a class of his own.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Started as a technically skilled and flair-filled winger and evolved into one of the most successful and goal-scoring players of all time—considered by many to be the ultimate winger.
