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A long-ball forward or a pinpoint cross into the box remains one of the most effective offensive weapons in modern football.
An accurate cross into the 18-yard box is one of the most challenging scenarios for a centre-half to deal with, as it can bamboozle and stun the backline. That is also why a good long throw can be a goalscoring opportunity (read: Brentford's second goal against Arsenal).
The modern game, though, has seen a shift towards shorter and crisper passes, especially in the possession-based footballing ideology. Nevertheless, good crossers of the ball remain some of the most valuable assets in the attacking third, as they possess the ability to unlock defences.
On that note, here we take a look at the five best crossers in world football right now.
#5 Achraf Hakimi
PSG's latest €60 million signing Achraf Hakimi is one of the best crossers in world football at the moment. He will likely play a crucial role in creating goalscoring chances for the Parisians this season.
Hakimi's marauding runs down the flank combined with his pinpoint crossing became a regular feature in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph last season. The Morocco international has made over 100 crosses in the 2020-21 Serie A campaign and 13 crosses in the Champions League.
He registered a pass completion rate of over 80% in Inter Milan's Serie A and Champions League campaigns last season. Hakimi was pivotal in creating goalscoring chances for the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez.
In 42 appearances in the Champions League and Serie A, Hakimi notched up seven goals and 11 assists. The Moroccan is one of the best full-backs going forward, and his ability on the ball combined with good vision makes him an offensive threat.
#4 Angel Di Maria
Argentine Angel Di Maria is one of the most skilful players in the game at the moment, and can pick out a cross at will.
PSG were arguably the most exciting team to watch in Europe last season, as they lit up the knockout stages of the Champions League. Angel Di Maria played a massive part in it, notching up five assists in the competition and creating countless chances for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
The Argentine completed over 100 crosses in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, along with 19 crosses in the Champions League.
Di Maria averaged over 50% in long-pass completion, with a total of 176 long passes completed in the Champions League and Ligue 1 last season. The 33-year-old is extremely gifted with the ball at his feet, and has extreme precision in his crosses into the final third.
#3 Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos has established himself as one of the best midfielders in world football over the past decade, with multiple Champions League trophies under his belt.
The German played an indispensable role in Real Madrid's domination of European football in the mid-2010s. Kroos is highly regarded for his long passes and can ping a 40-yard ball at will.
He registered a stellar pass-completion rate of 90% in the Champions League, and 89.7% in the La Liga last season. Kroos' excellent long-range passing ability yielded an average of 79.8% and 76.7% in long-pass completion in the 2020-21 Champions League and La Liga, respectively.
Kroos has an impeccable passing range, and is immensely gifted with the ball at his feet. The 31-year-old also has the vision to pick out a teammate in empty space and dangerous positions with an accurate cross.
#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of, if not the best, attacking full-backs in European football at the moment, even though his defensive fragilities were exposed last season.
One of the key attributes of his offensive game is his ability to find a teammate in the 18-yard box as he has established himself as one of the finest crossers in world football. The Englishman registered an impressive 23% cross=completion rate, delivering 297 crosses into the box in the 2020-21 Premier League season. Alexander-Arnold also created 14 big chances, along with 151 accurate long balls in the Premier League campaign.
That is a testament to his crossing ability, as he tallied the highest number of crosses in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign. The young Englishman's offensive attributes should come as no surprise, as he was transformed from a winger into a Premier League and Champions League-winning full-back by Jurgen Klopp.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne
Any list regarding passing and assists is incomplete without a mention of the Belgian wizard Kevin De Bruyne.
The Manchester City man is one of the greatest playmakers of his generation as he excels at every type of passing - be it short or long range. De Bruyne is equally proficient in every type of long pass - switch, straight, flattened, arcing, and so on.
The 30-year-old registered 146 crosses in the 2020-21 Premier League, registering a crossing accuracy of 27%. He also notched up 64 accurate long balls at a stellar long-pass accuracy of 62.9% in the league season. De Bruyne's inch-perfect crosses are evidence of his mastery with the ball at his feet.
Very few footballers possess the technical ability and acumen of the Belgium maestro, who has established himself as the most complete midfielder in the world game. Referred to as the assist king, Kevin De Bruyne is the creative hub of a world-class Manchester City side.
