Every footballer uses their foot to express themselves, and it’s not a surprise or a deep reason why they are called footballers.
While they are all known as footballers, many of them have their favored feet. A bigger percentage use their right foot, while some can use both feet comfortably without any issues.
And although many professional footballers can use both feet, most players are naturally right-footed, meaning left-footers are a notable minority. Only 19% of professional footballers are left-footed.
A left-footed football player is always regarded as a special gift for any football team. Interestingly, some of the greatest footballers of all time have been left-footed — the likes of Johan Cruyff, Ferenc Puskas, Diego Maradona, Roberto Carlos, Ryan Giggs, Raul, Arjen Robben, Rivaldo, and Alfredo Di Stefano.
Left-footed football players are wonderful to have in any squad because they, along with the right-footed players, create a balance on both wings, as well as surprise the opponents with elusive decisions.
Here in this article, we explore twenty players who are top left-footers in world football.
1. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is one of the top three most prolific strikers in the world at the moment.
Yet, it is unbelievable that he favors his left foot more because he can actually score with any part of his body, including his head, left, and right foot.
The Norwegian pack’s speed, strength, and immense shot power in his legs, and it’s not a surprise that he went on to break records in his debut Premier League season with Manchester City winning a treble.
2. Lionel Messi
The greatest left-footer to have ever kicked the ball. The greatest of all time (GOAT), according to many, Messi is known to do virtually everything with his left foot.
Messi’s right foot is not entirely useless, though, but his left is the first choice when he wants to take free kicks, penalties, passes, etc.
The Americans who watch the MLS will enjoy a first-hand view of that foot next season.
3. Mohamed Salah
African star Mohammed Salah is a mini Messi, one who even managed to get into the final top three for the 2021 FIFA Best Awards.
Salah has been terrorizing defenses from Africa to the Swiss League, Seria A, and the Premier League with his left foot.
Even with the absence of Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah notched 19 goals and 12 assists in 38 Premier League games, the lowest from him since 2019/2020.
4. Bernardo Silva
He may have scored just four goals all season long in the Premier League last season, but Bernardo Silva is one of the key players that helped City to a treble.
The Portuguese are a midfield maestro who has played for Monaco and Benfica previously.
Now with City, despite immense attention from Saudi Arabia, Pep wants to keep the Portuguese at Etihad.
He has cemented his place as one of the best midfielders in the world.
5. Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has been spectacular and has won almost everything in national team soccer but has been unlucky with league titles.
The attacking midfielder is the fifth most expensive transfer for his 2019 move to Barcelona worth €120M.
Griezmann can play anywhere in the front line and can also function behind the striker.
He was the top assists provider in the La Liga for the 2022/23 season.
6. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is one of the hottest and in-form players in world football at the moment. The winger plays from the right for Premier League club Arsenal.
Saka’s speed and shooting ability helped him to reach fourteen goals and eleven assists from 38 Premier League games.
The 21-year-old just recently scored his first hat trick for England and obviously has a lot more to give in his career.
7. Leroy Sané
German forward Leroy Sané has helped Bayern Munich keep their over a decade of dominance in the Bundesliga since joining Manchester City in 2020.
Sané packs incredible speed and dribbling skills as his major identity as a footballer and can be a very difficult opponent for defenders.
8. David Alaba
David Alaba is a defender with immense attacking prospects as much as his defensive quality. The Austrian has speed and is a dead-ball specialist.
His leadership qualities are not to be disputed, and his versatility is off the roof, as he can play in the defense, midfield, and attack.
9. Kai Havertz
Maybe he’s not the most prolific of all the players on this list, but Kai Havertz qualifies as a left-footer.
His exploits with Bayern Leverkusen in Germany helped secure a move to Chelsea, where he has notched over 90 appearances and is also close to joining Arsenal.
10. Riyadh Mahrez
Algeria forward Riyadh Mahrez does a lot of damage to opposition defenses, but he does this with the left foot.
He is a left-footed player who often uses his dominant foot to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Mahrez is known for his ability to cut inside from the right wing and unleash a powerful left-footed shot towards the goal. He also has a tendency to use his left foot to curl the ball into the top corner of the net from outside the box.
The 2019 AFCON winner still does it with Manchester City and packs a lot of silverware on the way.
11. Hakim Ziyech
Here’s another African who could have been closer to Riyadh Mahrez in terms of playing styles with his skills.
However, his inconsistencies since moving to Chelsea from Ajax may have dulled the attention on him.
He, however, led his Moroccan national team to the world cup semi-final last year.
12. Raphinha
Raphinha helped Leeds United escape relegation two seasons ago with virtually their last kick of the season before he left for Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger has enjoyed his short introduction to Camp Nou and will continue with Barcelona next season.
He is known for his quick feet, dribbling ability, and excellent control of the ball. Raphinha is comfortable playing on either wing and is equally adept at cutting inside to shoot or creating chances for his teammates.
He is particularly effective with his left foot, which he uses to great effect to deliver crosses and take shots
13. Angel di Maria
Argentine winger Angel Di Maria is another player that is close to Messi; he has tricks on his feet, scores great goals, and has a good pace.
Di Maria was part of Argentina’s team that won the FIFA World Cup last year in Qatar, that to top his well-stacked CV.
He has consistently been one of the best wingers in the world for a while now.
14. Paulo Dybala
A man who was expected to deputize Lionel Messi played alongside Ronaldo at Juventus.
Nicknamed “La Joya” (“The Jewel”) in his prime, Dybala signed for Juventus and won five league titles and four Coppas Italia. He ranks as Juventus’ ninth-highest all-time goalscorer.
15. Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is considered one of the top strikers in world football; the Belgian international has played for West Brom, Everton, and Manchester United.
He’s currently on the books of Chelsea but was on loan at Inter Milan last season. He helped Belgium to third place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
16. Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski is a 23-year-old Swedish winger who has played with Atalanta, Juventus, and now Tottenham Hotspur.
Kulusevski can also play in the midfield for the team; after 48 appearances in all competitions for Spurs last season, he’s confirmed a permanent move to Tottenham.
17. Raphael Guerreiro
29-year-old Portuguese left-back Raphael Guerreiro has been with Borussia Dortmund since 2015 and will be joining Bayern Munich at the start of July.
He has won the UEFA Euro championships and the UEFA Nations League title with the Portuguese national team.
Raphael Guerreiro enjoyed sort of a resurgence with Dortmund last season with 4 goals and 12 assists.
18. Nathan Aké
Netherlands Defender Nathan Ake has grown into his position in the Manchester City team as he played 26 games in the Premier League as the Cityzens won the Premier League title.
He also played 8 UEFA Champions League games as they completed the treble. The 28-year-old can also play in the centre-back position.
19. Miguel Almiron
Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron had his most productive season in the Premier League for Newcastle get, with 11 goals and two assists in 34 Premier League games last season as they secured their first Champions League football.
Almiron’s move from the MLS to the Premier League with Newcastle in 2019 for £21 million is a club record and the highest fee for an MLS player.
20. Nuno Mendes
Nuno Mendes is only 21, but he is a highly rated left-back who joined PSG permanently after initially impressing on loan from Sporting Lisbon in 2021.
The Portuguese played 23 games in the Ligue 1 past seasoned. He is one of the best young left-backs in football at the moment.
