Football is a truly beautiful sport, and players who favor their left foot bring an extra dimension to the game. Some incredibly skilled players in history were left-footed, leaving their right-footed opponents as mere spectators. Continue reading to find out who we believe are the top left-handed players in the history of the sport.
Lionel Messi
Starting with Lionel Messi is a no-brainer, considering he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever, especially with his left foot. The Argentinian player has achieved success by winning every trophy in his career, and recently added the 2022 FIFA World Cup to his collection. Do you think he’s the greatest of all time?
Rivaldo
Even with his impressive height, Rivaldo moved with elegance, showcasing the finesse of a left-footed player. In 1999, he won the Ballon d’Or and the 2002 World Cup, excelling during his time at FC Barcelona, similar to Messi.
Diego Maradona
Many people still consider Diego Maradona, a fellow countryman of Messi, as the best left-footed player ever. The legendary player from Napoli and Argentina showcased his brilliance during the 1986 World Cup, where he also displayed his skillful left hand.
Arjen Robben
Throughout their history, the Netherlands have developed numerous top-tier wingers, with Arjen Robben undoubtedly securing his spot in this category. The Bayern Munich player came close to securing victory for his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but was denied by a crucial stop from Iker Casillas.
Iker Casillas
Casillas is widely considered one of the greatest left-footed goalkeepers in history. The individual has an impressive record with Real Madrid and has contributed to Spain’s victories in the World Cup and two Euros.
Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos, who played alongside Casillas at Real Madrid for several years, is remembered for his incredibly strong shot in football, which he showcased both for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team.
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Yet another legendary player from Real Madrid who favored using their left foot. Alfredo Di Stéfano played a crucial role in his favorite club’s achievement of five consecutive European Cups and also received two Ballon d’Or awards. Wow, that’s really impressive!
Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás, who was a teammate of Di Stéfano from Hungary, should definitely be included in this list. Puskas was known for his exceptional dribbling and shooting skills, making him a standout player of his era. He was the standout player of the Hungarian Golden Team that made it to the 1954 World Cup final.
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie was also known for his shooting abilities. The Dutch player was a formidable force in Premier League matches during his time at Arsenal and remains the top scorer in the history of the Netherlands national team.
Gheorghe Hagi
Undoubtedly, the greatest player Romania has ever seen. Gheorghe Hagi, known as the ‘Maradona of the Carpathians,’ was a skilled left-footed player who played for Real Madrid, Brescia, FC Barcelona, and Galatasaray, among other teams.
Hristo Stoickhov
Hristo Stoichkov is to Bulgaria what Hagi is to Romania. ‘The Dagger’ had a successful period with Johan Cruijff’s Barcelona and achieved a significant milestone by winning the Ballon d’Or in 1994. That same year, he captained Bulgaria to a remarkable fourth place finish at the FIFA World Cup.
Ángel Di María
Coming up is Ángel Di María from Argentina, who played a vital part in the Albiceleste’s victory at the 2022 World Cup. Di María has performed exceptionally well at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, earning both clubs a remarkable collection of honors.
Mesut Özil
Di María shared a changing room at Los Blancos with Mesut Özil, possibly the greatest left-footed German player ever. Özil demonstrated this at the 2014 FIFA World Cup by establishing himself as one of the game’s best passers while playing for Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Raúl González Blanco
Yet another legend from Real Madrid. Raúl González Blanco scored a remarkable 323 goals for Real Madrid, establishing himself as an icon for the team, before moving on to play for German club Schalke 04.
Mohamed Salah
When it comes to icons, Mohamed Salah definitely deserves a spot on this list. The Liverpool striker is considered one of the Red Devils’ top scorers of all time and widely regarded as the greatest Egyptian player ever.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale made a breakthrough at a young age while playing for Tottenham, making a significant impact in the Premier League. Real Madrid invested heavily to bring the Welsh player to the Spanish capital and, despite facing criticism, Bale has accumulated a significant number of trophies with Los Blancos.
David Silva
Silva was an important player for many years at Manchester City and in Spain, where he won four Premier League championships and the 2010 World Cup. Eventually, the left-footed genius of Real Sociedad retired in 2023.
Ryan Giggs
Yet another iconic figure from the Premier League, this time hailing from Manchester’s red side. Ryan Giggs rose through the ranks at Manchester United and remained loyal to the club for his entire career, winning thirteen league titles and two Champions Leagues, among other honors.
Erling Haaland
Even though Erling Haaland is a young player, his impact as a left-footed striker is already so great that he merits a spot on this list. In his debut season at Manchester City, the Norwegian netted 52 goals, and he is eager to score more.
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini is considered one of the best defenders in history, known for his legendary career with AC Milan and the Italian national team. Maldini started and finished his career with the Rossoneri, winning seven Serie A titles and five European Cups/Champions Leagues.
Bobby Charlton
Throughout his many years as a Manchester United player, Bobby Charlton solidified his reputation as one of the best players of all time. In addition to winning the FIFA World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in 1966, Charlton scored 249 goals for the Red Devils and assisted them in winning the European Cup.
Honourable Mentions
There have been so many outstanding left-footed players throughout history that it is hard to list them all. However, the following deserve an honourable mention: Players include Laurent Robert, Álvaro Recoba, Harry Kewell, Lukas Podolski, Adriano, John Arne Riise, Fernando Redondo, Thibaut Courtois, Petr Cech, Mario Kempes, Ruud Krol, Antoine Griezmann, Iker Casillas, Davor Suker, among others.
