FIFA World Cup 2018: Top 5 two-footed players

Portugal v Algeria - International Friendly
Ronaldo is a player who is good with both his feet

How many times has a coach yelled at you, "Finish with your weaker foot!" Well, believe it or not, professional footballers face the same problem. Being over-dependent on the stronger foot makes one's game predictable and less effective. However, some players have found a way past it.

A select few are adept on both feet, a quality many players desire to possess in their arsenal. (Yes, you too Arjen!) It enables them to save time and pass or shoot from either side.

It makes their game less predictable and a defender has to be more alert in such situations. Players like Bernardo Silva and Arjen Robben favour one foot strongly which makes the defender's job a bit easier.

Santi Cazorla and Wesley Sneijder are two two-footed maestros who are not going to the World Cup. Here are 5 ambipedal players who will feature in Russia for the FIFA World Cup 2018.


#5 Christian Eriksen

Denmark v Germany - International Friendly
Eriksen will be Denmark's talisman in Russia

Christian Eriksen enjoyed yet another stellar league campaign for Tottenham Hotspur, in which he recorded ten goals and just as many assists. Just four of those goals came by virtue of his preferred right foot, and six were scored by his supposedly weaker left.

Goals aside, the Tottenham playmaker can pass equally well with both feet, especially the dangerous crosses which he delivers so well into the box. In the 2016-17 season also Eriksen scored more league goals with his left foot.

Eriksen will lead Denmark's World Cup campaign, just as he did in the qualifying matches. He recorded 11 goals and three assists in 12 games to book a place in Russia. If he continues that vein of form Denmark could have two feet in the knockout stages. (Yes, the pun was intended).

#4 Toni Kroos

Germany v Argentina: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final
Kroos is the string-puller in Germany's midfield

Toni Kroos has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the world due to his performances for Real Madrid and Germany, and his ability on either foot has definitely contributed.

The German can spray out passes from either foot, a hallmark of his game. He has the knack of taking a brilliant first touch to create space in midfield on either side. Kroos normally lines up in the left of Real's midfield trio, which has made his two-footedness stand out.

Kroos has helped his club to three successive Champions League titles. In Russia, Kroos will be hoping to defend Germany's title and he will be key to coach Joachim Low's plans.

#3 Son Heung-min

Korea Republic v Australia - 2015 Asian Cup: Final
Son can score ably with either foot

Son Heung-Min has excelled for Tottenham in recent seasons, netting 39 goals in the past two seasons. He can score just as effectively with either foot, and the numbers back it up.

Out of his grand total of 83 goals, 44 were scored by his right foot and 32 were by virtue of his left. He has scored some stunners with his left foot as well.

Often he plays on the left wing for Spurs and a step over is his best friend. He can run outside and cross with his left or take a shot with his right, both of them deadly weapons.

A hard worker off the ball, Son has been a star player for Spurs as well as South Korea.

He will be one of his nation's main hopes as they aim to get out of a competitive group.

#2 Ousmane Dembele

TOPSHOT-FBL-FRIENDLY-FRA-ITA
Dembele will hope to light up the World Cup

Ousmane Dembele is one of the most exciting talents in world football and his two-footed ability is one of many in his arsenal. He came to the fore at Borussia Dortmund and moved to Barcelona last summer.

The 21-year-old's strongest foot is actually debatable. FIFA 18 says that his left foot is stronger but it is still up for debate.

He has scored 24 club goals, out of which 13 are by his right foot and 10 by his left. Maybe FIFA 18 need a 'two-footed' option.

Dembele's searing pace and trickery make use of his two-footedness like no other player as he can cut inside or run outside with devastating effects.

He will be a key part of Didier Deschamps' plans for Russia. Which way will you go, defenders?

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal v Estonia - International Friendly
Most players would love to have his weaker left foot

The irrepressible Portuguese continues to make every list in football and it is not without reason. Ronaldo has scored 101 goals with his left foot for club and country. That is not a typo, he really has scored a century of goals with his 'weaker' foot.

Tu put that into perspective, Andres Iniesta, one of the best midfielders of all time scored 75 goals. By both feet. In his whole career!

Ronaldo has superhuman goalscoring prowess and his left foot has certainly contributed. His lethal finishing is helped by that the fact that whatever the position of the ball, he can put it away in an instant.

Going into Russia, he will be Portugal's talisman yet again as they look to go one better after their European Championship success in 2016.


Did we miss out on any player from the list? Let us know in the comments section below!

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