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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated the Ballon d'Or since 2008 and have revolutionized the role of a winger in modern football. It is hardly a surprise if you find out that a team's top scorer these days, is a winger.
Tracking back, crossing the ball and penetrating the penalty area at the right moment in order to bag in the goals - have become a fundamental part of any world class winger's characteristics. In this article, we look to name the seven best wingers who are currently active.
#7 Arjen Robben:
The Dutch international is almost in his mid-thirties, but despite his age and frequent injuries, Arjen Robben is still a deadly force in big games and has the ability to make the difference in the hard situations. He tends to cut-in from the right hand, which has become quite a predictable aspect of his game, yet he still manages to pull it off, almost every time.
It only takes one moment of brilliance from the 33-year old, to deliver a well-placed shot that ends up in the back of the net, more often than not.
In the last two seasons at Bayern:
23 goals in 59 appearances.
Won the Bundesliga 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and the DFB Pokal 2016.
#6 Gareth Bale
Just like Arjen Robben, the flying Welsh has had his fair share of injuries in the past few years which has led to criticism concerning his drop in form. However, on his day, Gareth Bale is capable of displaying his world class traits, be it by outpacing defenders and delivering the final ball, or by beating the goalkeepers with his long-range shooting abilities.
The Euro championship in 2016 was the perfect opportunity for Bale to demonstrate his ability to guide his own team, as he was able to leave his mark as one of the competition's best performers - with Wales making history by reaching the semi finals.
In the last two seasons at Real Madrid:
28 goals in 60 games.
Won La Liga 2016/2017, the UEFA Champions League 2015/2016, 2016/2017, the UEFA Supercup 2016 and 2017.
#5 Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is an idol in his homeland, and how can he not be, after guiding La Roja for their first official trophy in history, beating Argentina on penalties in the Copa América 2015 final? The Chilean eventually helped his country win yet another South American title the following year, and was voted as the competition's best player.
After completing his move to Arsenal, Alexis has proven himself as one of the best players in the English Premier League. Physically strong, an excellent dribbler and a growing goalscorer, Sanchez has already cemented himself as one of the world's best at his position.
In the last two seasons at Arsenal:
47 goals in 92 games.
Won the FA Cup 2017.
#4 Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has been an absolute beauty to watch, ever since completing his transfer to Chelsea back in 2012. The Belgian star has so often been decisive for the London-based side, guiding them to English Premier League triumph on two occasions, while being one of the essential figures.
Hazard is strong enough to hold-on to his ball while under pressure. With his remarkable close control, he can easily get himself past any defender and launch a forward attack that is likely to create a lot of problems for any opposition. The ex-Lille man is, arguably, the best player in England.
In the last two seasons at Chelsea:
23 goals in 86 games.
Won the English Premier League 2016/2017.
#3 Neymar JR
Neymar is not only one of the best players in the world, he is also one of the most entertaining ones to watch. The Brazilian is deadly whenever playing on that left flank. Thanks to his explosive pace, the defender marking him has no chance to catch him and often ends up getting humiliated by the new Paris Saint Germain signing.
The Brazilian thrives under pressure and defies himself day after day. The general consensus is that he is the one with the technical abilities to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as the world's best.
In the last two seasons at Barcelona:
51 goals 94 games.
Won La Liga 2015/2016, the Copa del Rey 2016 and 2017.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Many believe that the Portuguese star has grown up the habit of locating himself in a central position, especially over the past few years. However, excluding Cristiano Ronaldo from this list would have generated just as much controversy, as leaving him out of it.
Therefore, number two seems just about right. The Real Madrid attacker has already won it all at the club football, but not only that, he was able to add the Euro Championships with Portugal in 2016. A goalscorer of the highest level, a big-game player who makes the difference against any opponent, and a national hero in Portugal. What more could 'el don' possibly ask for?
In the last two seasons at Real Madrid:
94 goals 96 games.
Won La Liga 2016/2017, the UEFA Champions League 2015/2016, 2016/2017, the UEFA Supercup 2016 and 2017.
#1 Lionel Messi
Messi loves the ball, and the ball loves Messi. The Argentinian star has won everything there is, with FC Barcelona. While he often cuts-in to operate right behind the striker, Messi has the tendency to locate himself on the right wing, depending on the circumstances of matches.
A sensational dribbler, passer and finisher, Lionel is today the role model for many rising footballers who dream of achieving greatness. The Argentinian has proven to be the best player in the world, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, having dominated the Ballon d'Or awards in between 2008 and 2017. How long will it take for anyone to take the throne from these two all-time greats?
In the last two seasons at Barcelona:
96 goals in 102 games.
Won La Liga 2015/2016, the Copa del Rey 2016 and 2017.
