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In the modern game, the 4-3-3 is the most commonly used formation, with some of the biggest clubs across Europe like Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester City adopting similar formations and winning trophies aplenty in recent years. While the shape looks relatively straightforward on paper, managers have used several modifications of the formation to varying degrees of success.
However, what has remained unaltered is the role of the wingers, who play such a pivotal role in a 4-3-3. Jurgen Klopp's free-flowing Liverpool side have terrorized European football with the pace and trickery of their wingers, as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have wreaked havoc against the best teams on the planet.
While the Reds use the concept of inverted wingers, where the left-footer plays on the right flank and vice versa, teams across the continent have deployed wingers in a number of ways to spearhead their respective attacks.
On that note, here are the five best right-wingers in world football as things stand.
#5 Paulo Dybala | Juventus
Juventus attacker Paulo Dybala is one of the most exciting players in world football. The Argentine attacker has been a key player for the Bianconeri over the years and has struck up a fantastic relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, as the pair spearheaded Juventus to their ninth straight Serie A title.
While Dybala is not amongst the fastest players around, he makes up for his lack of pace with his ball control, dribbling ability and long-range shooting. Additionally, he is also capable of winning games for his side with dead ball ability and is widely regarded as one of the best set-piece takers around.
The 26-year-old recorded 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for Juventus in the 2019-20 and enjoyed one of his best seasons as a professional footballer. With Andrea Pirlo appointed as the new head coach, Dybala is at the right age to take his game to the next level and go down as a Juventus legend in the coming years.
#4 Riyad Mahrez | Manchester City
Riyad Mahrez has been a central figure in the Premier League since his record-breaking season with Leicester City in 2015-16. The Algerian winger was the standout player in the Premier League that season, as he spearheaded the Foxes to an unlikely title triumph.
Since then, Mahrez has carried on cementing his status as a match-winner and sealed a move to Manchester City in the summer of 2018, where he has now become a key player.
Blessed with a wonderful left foot and outstanding technical ability, Mahrez combines flair and efficiency to devasting effect and has the end product to show for all his glitz and glamour on the ball.
The 29-year-old notched up 13 goals and 16 assists across 50 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola's side, as he enjoyed what was a sensational season on a personal level.
Also Read: Ranking the 5 most realistic destinations for Lionel Messi
#3 Serge Gnabry | Bayern Munich
Originally from Arsenal's famed Hale End academy, Serge Gnabry is the one that got away for the Gunners in recent seasons. The German international made a name for himself under Arsene Wenger and endured an unproductive loan spell with West Bromwich Albion, after which he left permanently to join Werder Bremen in 2016.
Gnabry showed glimpses of his potential at Werder and was soon snapped up by Bayern Munich, who loaned him out to Hoffenheim for the 2017-18 season. Having returned from his loan spell, the young German looked like a completely different player and quickly established himself as a key player for the Bavarian giants.
Known for his electric pace and ability to strike the ball with both feet, Gnabry played a pivotal role in Bayern's historic treble-winning 2019-20 season. The former Arsenal man recorded a staggering 23 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, as the Bavarians reaped the rewards of being patient with him.
The 25-year-old is a key player for club and country and could improve further under the tutelage of Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich.
#2 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool
Since moving to Liverpool in the summer of 2017, Mohamed Salah has been not only one of the best wingers in Europe, but also one of the biggest matchwinners in world football. The Egyptian attacker notched up 32 league goals in his debut season with the Reds and broke the record for most goals scored by a player in a single Premier League season, as he quickly wrote himself into the history books.
Salah capped off another stunning season by winning the Golden Boot again in 2018-19, as he shared the award with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and teammate Sadio Mane.
The 28-year-old is a vital cog of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side and has won three major honours with the Reds, including the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
Salah is one of the most prolific attackers in world football currently, and his consistency throughout his three-year spell in Merseyside will take some beating.
#1 Lionel Messi | Barcelona
Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi tops the list of best right wingers in world football currently. The Argentine star has made all the headlines in recent days after announcing his decision to leave Barcelona, with speculation surrounding his future set to be the biggest story of the ongoing transfer window.
Nevertheless, the 33-year-old's ability needs no introduction, as he is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. Messi topped the charts for goals as well as assists in the 2019-20 La Liga season but was powerless from preventing Barcelona from going trophyless, as they surrendered the league title to arch-rivals Real Madrid.
With a jaw-dropping tally of 31 goals and 26 assists across all competitions for Barcelona, Messi was at his brilliant best but was let down by his teammates yet again.
The diminutive Argentine is reportedly desperate to secure a transfer this summer, with Manchester City leading the race to secure his signature.
Also Read: 5 worst Barcelona managers of all time
