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2021 has been a year to remember for multiple events. With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, things haven't been easy, yet the game of football has kept us involved and entertained.
This year's fixtures were congested and took their toll on the players and clubs. Despite that, footballers have come out with flying colors, providing some high-quality game-play on the pitch.
Left-footed attackers have been sensational in 2021
Among the attackers, left-footed players have somehow always looked more graceful and elegant with their approach like Mesut Ozil, Johan Cruyff or Ferenc Puskas.
This year has been no different.
Despite not being in the majority, some of the top goal scorers and creators have been left-footed forwards. Here, we take a look at those quality players who predominantly use their left foot and have provided some wonderful footballing experience in 2021.
#5 Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Having played his entire youth career in Serbia, Dusan Vlahovic made his senior debut with Partizan. The young forward was quite impressive with the Serbian club, which helped him earn a move to Fiorentina in Serie A in 2018.
He's been with them ever since and over time has become a regular face in the starting XI. Vlahovic is one of the most promising young talents in football right now with his amazing finishing abilities. His tall physique makes him a bigger threat in the box.
Dusan Vlahovic ended last season with 21 Serie A goals and already has 16 goals to his name this season. The young left-footed striker has scored 35 goals this calendar year. It won't come as a surprise should he move to a bigger club come next summer with clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United monitoring the star.
#4 Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)
Gerard Moreno has spent his entire club in Spain, playing for clubs like Villarreal, Mallorca and Espanyol. Ever since 2018, the Spaniard has been with Villarreal and has done a pretty good job with them.
The 29-year-old striker played a very influential role in helping the Yellow Submarine win the UEFA Europa League in the 2020-21 season. Gerard Moreno, with his sweet left foot, has been both a goal scorer and creator for Villarreal this calendar year.
The Spanish forward has scored 30 goals and recorded 15 assists in 2021. Gerard Moreno's impressive performances have also earned him a place in the national team as well. He remains a key player in attack for both Villarreal and Spain.
#3 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
It would be criminal not to add Lionel Messi to the list. The left-footed attacker has arguably been one of the best players in the world for a long time now.
Primarily known for his phenomenal spell at Barcelona, it was more than shocking when Lionel Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021. The Argentine won the Copa del Rey last season with Barcelona.
This calendar year only got better for Lionel Messi with him winning the Copa America with Argentina. He also won his seventh Ballon d'Or, making it a year to remember for the former Barcelona man. Messi has scored 34 goals and recorded 14 assists in 2021.
#2 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland has been a goal-scoring machine for Borussia Dortmund ever since he joined them in 2019. To date, the Norwegian striker has scored 76 goals in 75 appearances across all the competitions for the German club.
His smart runs and clinical finishing make Erling Haaland a dangerous forward. His tall and strong physique comes in very handy to shrug off defenders and is a lethal figure inside the box.
The left-footed striker has been sidelined for almost two months in 2021 yet he has scored 43 goals and recorded 16 assists. It is a phenomenal achievement given the level he's playing at. It will only encourage the top clubs to go further after his signature next summer.
#1 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
There is no doubt that Mohamed Salah is currently in the form of his life. He has been almost unstoppable in the 2021-22 campaign while playing for Liverpool.
The 29-year-old has been very difficult to contain on the right wing with his amazing dribbling, nimble foot-work and fabulous goal-scoring abilities. Salah's tendency to time and again come inside has altogether increased the problems for the opposition. The Egyptian has scored 37 goals and recorded 11 assists in 2021 and is becoming a massive asset for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
This season itself Mohamed Salah has scored 22 goals in just 24 appearances across all competitions. If his form remains the same throughout the season, the left-footed forward might go all the way to winning the Ballon d'Or next year.
