'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The modern footballer has a plethora of skills at his disposal, like the ability to score a goal or pick out a pass off their dominant foot with ease. However, on some occasions, it is difficult to figure out a player’s 'dominant' side, as they seem to be equally good off either foot.
The likes of Ronaldinho and Maldini are widely regarded as the best two-footed players in the history of the game.
Five best two-footed players in the game at the moment:
The ability to use either foot provides versatility and dynamism to a player’s gameplay, as they can operate on either flank due to their two-footedness. However, it is a challenging skill to master and is a unique attribute of some of the world’s best.
On that note, let’s take a look at the five best two-footed players in the game at the moment.
#5 Mason Greenwood | Manchester United
Manchester United’s young sensation Mason Greenwood has a shooting technique that is reminiscent of one of United’s finest forwards, Robin van Persie.
Since his debut in the 2018-19 season, Greenwood has rapidly progressed up the ranks. His first-team debut came just a year after his first season with the U18s - finishing as top scorer (17) in the 2017/18 PL North division.
After his exploits at the youth level, Greenwood became a regular in the first-team training squad, first under Jose Mourinho in 2018, before he made his competitive debut in a Champions League game against PSG.
Greenwood’s ability to shoot with either foot enables him to operate in virtually any position across the forward line.
He has been involved in 36 goals (26 goals, ten assists) in 97 appearances. Greenwood is arguably Manchester United’s best two-footed player and a nightmare for opposition defenders.
Mason Greenwood can cut inside and shoot with his left while attacking from the right flank; he can also stay wide and shoot across the goal from his right.
#4 Ousmane Dembele | FC Barcelona
Another youngster tipped to be one of the best in the coming years - Ousmane Dembele - is also a two-footed player.
The ambidextrous Frenchman made the move to Camp Nou after spending just one season at Borussia Dortmund. Dembele had arrived at Dortmund from Nice on a £13.5 million transfer in 2016 and left a year later on a mammoth £121.5 million fee, making him one of the most expensive teenagers in the game.
Although Ousmane Dembele has been enduring a torrid time in Catalonia, he remains one of Barcelona most skilful operators, thanks to his solid technique with both feet.
While scoring his first 22 goals for Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele has netted 12 with his left foot and ten with his right. That is a rare stat even among the top stars in the game.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo | Juventus
One of the modern greats of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored on multiple occasions with his 'weaker' left foot. He can also put the ball at the back of the net with virtually any body part.
His first 700 goals of his professional career comprised of 442 strikes with his stronger right foot and 129 off his left. Even though Ronaldo can power a shot at goal or pass with either foot, he prefers his dominant right foot and has one of the highest leaps in football, comparable to that of a basketball player.
The 36-year old has scored 127 headed goals as well. Ronaldo has continued his goal-scoring form, despite Juventus on the cusp of losing their nine-season Serie A stranglehold.
The Portuguese leads the 2020/21 Serie A goal-scoring chart with 25 goals. He recently became the first player to score over 50 goals in three of Europe’s top-five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A).
Moreover, he has scored the most goals by a Juventus player in a single season (2019-20) - beating an 87-year old record.
#2 Ivan Perisic | Inter Milan
Ivan Perisic has been one of the most consistent wingers in Europe’s top flight for the last few years. His playing style is reminiscent of a traditional winger.
Perisic is known for his surges down the flank, unleashing pinpoint crosses off either foot. The Croatian also has raw pace at his disposal and is one of the most creative forwards in the game.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist also played a crucial role in Croatia’s magical run to the final, registering an impressive long pass accuracy of 45.5%, while sending in crosses off either foot. Perisic is one of the best two-footed players while passing on the ground as well, requiring very few touches before making a pass off either foot.
Jose Mourinho was a big fan of the 32-year old and was keen to bring him to Old Trafford, as he looked for width on the wings and feeding crosses into the box for the then-Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
#1 Son Heung-Min | Tottenham Hotspur
One of the deadliest wingers in European football and one of the best forwards in the Premier League, Son Heung-Min is arguably the best two-footed player in the game at the moment.
The South Korean has proved to be the perfect foil for Harry Kane and has been involved in 42% of Tottenham Hotspur’s goals this season. Son is dangerous on either wing and even through the middle at times.
While the likes of Greenwood and Dembele are naturally two-footed players, Son, along with Ronaldo, have worked extremely hard to train their weaker foot. The South Korean was trained by his dad till the age of 14 and placed a lot of emphasis on his son’s weaker left foot.
Out of the 67 Premier League goals he has scored for Spurs, the 28-year old has netted 37 with the right foot and 26 with his left. Similarly, during his stint at Bayer Leverkusen, Son scored 13 goals with his right foot and 12 off his 'weaker' left foot.
