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We saw Lionel Messi score a wonderful goal against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League in midweek. The goal scored by the Argentine was effortless and yet so delightful. There is always elegance and class about left-footed players and Messi is the cream of the crop.
Some of the best players in the game have also been left-footed, namely Diego Maradona, Arjen Robben, Raul, Robin van Persie and many others. Such players have always been so graceful with the ball at their feet.
With the quality of such attacking players on the pitch, the game has only become more entertaining over the years. On that note, let's have a look at some of the best left-footed forwards in the world right now:
#5 Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain)
Angel Di Maria graduated from the Rosario Central academy. During his time with the Argentine club, he was approached by Arsenal but a move didn't materialize because of work permit issues back then.
The winger ended up signing for Benfica in 2007. With his impressive performances with the Portuguese club, Di Maria attracted interest from some top European clubs. But it was Real Madrid who were able to get his signature as they signed him in 2010.
Di Maria was a sensation at Real Madrid. With his flair, agility, dribbling skills, vision and amazing ability to create, the former Benfica man was brutal going forward. In his four seasons with Los Blancos, he scored 22 times and registered 50 assists in La Liga.
It was surprising when Madrid let him join Manchester United in 2014 but nevertheless Di Maria left after winning the La Liga, UEFA Champions League and other domestic competitions. With the Red Devils, the Argentine playmaker had a time to forget. He never looked in form and struggled with his relationship with then United manager Louis van Gaal.
Eventually, Di Maria left the Premier League after a single season to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1. Signing the former Real Madrid man has been beneficial for the French club. In Ligue 1, Di Maria has contributed 121 goals while making 176 appearances for the club.
With the arrival of Lionel Messi, the Argentine duo will be hoping to help PSG win their first ever UEFA Champions League title this season. Di Maria remains one of the few players who has had the pleasure of playing with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
#4 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Having graduated from the Anderlecht academy, Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011. Unfortunately, the Belgian striker failed to get regular game-time with the London club and was therefore shipped out on loan to multiple clubs.
The strong and tall striker was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Everton in the Premier League. Having been impressed by Lukaku's performances, Everton signed him on a permanent basis. In his four seasons with the Merseyside club, the left-footed Belgian scored 68 goals and notched up 24 assists in the Premier League.
Manchester United were in need of a goal-scoring striker in the summer of 2017 and ended up signing Lukaku that season. In his 66 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, the former Chelsea striker scored 28 times. He had a decent spell with the 20-time Premier League Champions but somehow struggled with his form and consistency.
Lukaku felt he had been made a scapegoat at United before he was eventually shipped out to Inter Milan in 2019. He had a successful time with the Italian club, scoring 64 goals in all competitions across two seasons. Lukaku also lifted the Serie A title with Inter in 2020-21.
The former Everton striker decided to rejoin Chelsea in the summer of 2021 and is currently playing for the Blues. He is arguably one of the best strikers in the Premier League and will be a useful asset for the London club this season.
#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Any number of superlatives will not be enough to describe the talent of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker is easily one of the best young players in football right now.
Starting his football career with Bryne in Norway, Haaland had a knack for scoring goals from an early age. He signed for Molde in 2017 to play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With his goal-scoring abilities, it was only a matter of time before the young striker grabbed more attention in Europe.
Haaland signed for Red Bull Salzburg in 2019 where he scored 17 goals and registered four assists in just 16 appearances in the Austrian league. With such a record, Borussia Dortmund were interested in the Norwegian's signature and were able to sign him in the winter of 2020.
Since joining them, Haaland has turned into a beast of a striker. With his strong physique, amazing pace, smart positioning and superb goal-scoring abilities, it has been very difficult for opponents to contain him. To date, he has scored 47 goals and registered 15 assists in the Bundesliga from just 48 appearances.
It is phenomenal how Haaland looks so effective and polished at the tender age of 21. With such a terrific record, it is very likely that the Norway forward will be playing for a top European club next season.
#2 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Egyptian forward has been a star player in the Premier League for some time now. Mohamed Salah was once a Chelsea player when he signed for the London club in 2014. After failing to get regular playing opportunities, the Egyptian was sent on loan to Fiorentina and Roma respectively.
The former Chelsea man was impressive during his loan spell at Roma, after which the Italian club decided to sign him permanently. Salah revived his career at Roma, scoring 34 goals and registering 22 assists across all competitions.
This tempted Liverpool to sign the Egyptian winger and since 2017, he has been with the Reds.With his quick pace, fine dribbling, nimble footwork and amazing talent to find goals, Salah has been a blessing for the Merseyside club.
He has been with Liverpool for more than four seasons now and has earned many accolades in the process. He played a key role in helping them win the 2019-20 Premier League, 2018-19 UEFA Champions League and the 2019 UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
As far as individual accolades go, Salah has won the Golden Boot twice in the Premier League. To date, he has scored 100 league goals for Liverpool, achieving the feat faster than any other player in the club's history.
#1 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
There is no debate when it comes to being the best left-footed forward in the world. Lionel Messi is one of the finest players ever to grace the game and is easily the best player with a pre-dominant use of the left foot.
Having graduated from La Masia, the Argentine made his senior debut for Barcelona in 2003. Ever since his introduction to the world of football, Messi has gone on to break multiple records, creating history for both himself and the club.
Having spent 17 seasons with the Catalan club, the left-footed attacker scored a mammoth 474 goals in La Liga, making 520 appearances. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey's and four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona.
With the ball at Messi's feet, anything is possible. Courtesy of his mind-boggling dribbling skills, amazing ability to ruthlessly take on players, terrific vision and superb technique, the Argentine has been unstoppable in creating and scoring goals. The six-time European Golden Shoe winner is deadly even with his set-pieces.
Messi shocked the world this summer when he decided to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). It was unbelievable but at the same time, there is too much excitement to see how he gets on at his new club.
