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Top 15 Right-Wingers in Football History

The right-wing position has showcased some of football's most iconic players. Over time, wingers have evolved from simply crossing the ball to becoming key creative forces on the field. Speed, dribbling skills, and deadly finishing mark the best in this role. Across major tournaments like the Champions League and World Cup, right-wingers have played crucial roles in their teams’ triumphs. In 2025, young star Lamine Yamal at Barcelona is already making waves as one of the finest recent talents on the right flank.

Below is a ranking of the 15 greatest right-wingers ever, spanning legends from the 1930s to current stars.

Ranking Criteria

  • Legacy: How players are remembered and their lasting impact on football.
  • Longevity: Duration of high-level career performance.
  • Statistics: Consistency in scoring and assisting goals.
  • Individual Honours: Awards and recognition earned during their careers.

List of the 15 Greatest Right-Wingers

  • 1. Lionel Messi - Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami
  • 2. Garrincha - Serrano, Botafogo, Corinthians, Flamengo
  • 3. George Best - Manchester United, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fulham, San Jose Earthquakes
  • 4. Stanley Matthews - Stoke City, Blackpool, Toronto City
  • 5. Jimmy Johnstone - Celtic, San Jose Earthquakes, Sheffield United, Dundee, Shelbourne, Elgin City
  • 6. Gareth Bale - Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid, LAFC
  • 7. Luis Figo - Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan
  • 8. David Beckham - Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, PSG
  • 9. Arjen Robben - Groningen, PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
  • 10. Mohamed Salah - Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina, Roma, Liverpool
  • 11. Helmut Rahn - Sportfreunde Katernberg, Rot-Weiss Essen, FC Koln, SC Enschede, Meidericher SV
  • 12. Angel Di Maria - Rosario Central, Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, Juventus
  • 13. Amancio - Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid
  • 14. Julinho - Portuguesa, Fiorentina, Palmeiras
  • 15. Roberto Donadoni - Atalanta, Milan, MetroStars, Al-Ittihad

Profiles of Select Players

While many remember Donadoni for managing Italy and clubs like Napoli, he was a top-tier right winger known for his pace and agility. He played on both wings and was integral to AC Milan’s dominance in the 1990s, winning six Serie A titles.

  • Appearances: 584
  • Goals: 36
  • Assists: 76
  • Honours: Serie A Team of the Year (1986)

Known for his dazzling dribbling and powerful shots, Julinho starred over 250 times for Palmeiras. He could play as a creator or shooter, earning Fiorentina’s title as best player in club history in 1996.

  • Appearances: 549
  • Goals: 204
  • Assists: N/A
  • Honours: Serie A Team of the Year (1957)

Nicknamed "El Brujo" (The Wizard), Amancio spent 14 years at Real Madrid. After starting at Deportivo La Coruna, he became one of the world’s best, winning two consecutive top scorer awards and finishing third in the Ballon d’Or in 1964.

  • Appearances: 579
  • Goals: 223
  • Assists: N/A
  • Honours: Pichichi (1969, 1970), Ballon d’Or Third Place (1964)

Emerging from Rosario Central and Benfica, Di Maria became a world-class winger at Real Madrid. Despite sharing the spotlight with Ronaldo and Bale, his skill and precise left foot were vital for Madrid’s Champions League success in the 2010s.

  • Appearances: 821
  • Goals: 202
  • Assists: 280
  • Honours: FIFA World Cup Dream Team (2014), UEFA Team of the Year (2014), La Liga Top Assist Provider (2014)

Rahn finished second in the 1958 Ballon d’Or and won the 1954 World Cup with West Germany. As an outside right, he scored over 100 club goals and helped Rot-Weiss Essen win the DfB-Pokal in 1953.

  • Appearances: 365
  • Goals: 163
  • Assists: N/A
  • Honours: Ballon d’Or Runner-Up (1958)

One of two active players on this list, Salah rose to prominence after joining Liverpool. Known as "The Egyptian King," he ended the club’s Premier League drought and added a sixth Champions League title. His speed, dribbling, and lethal finishing led Liverpool to another league title in 2024/25.

  • Appearances: 731
  • Goals: 366
  • Assists: 189
  • Honours: Premier League Player of the Year (2018), Premier League Golden Boot (2018, 2019, 2022), FIFA Puskas Award (2018)

Robben was famous for cutting inside onto his left foot. Though he played for several big clubs, it was Bayern Munich where he became legendary, scoring the winning goal in the 2013 Champions League final. He also shone at the 2010 World Cup, leading the Netherlands to the final.

  • Appearances: 710
  • Goals: 246
  • Assists: 199
  • Honours: UEFA Euro top assist provider (2004), German Footballer of the Year (2010), FIFA FIFPro World XI (2014)

Beckham's fame extends beyond football, but his career started with brilliance at Manchester United. Renowned for his precision right foot, he secured England’s World Cup spot with a famous free-kick in 2002. A key member of United’s 1999 treble-winning squad, he later helped grow the sport in North America.

  • Appearances: 837
  • Goals: 144
  • Assists: 267
  • Honours: Premier League Playmaker of the Season (1998, 2000, 2001), Ballon d’Or runner-up (1999), English Football Hall of Fame (2008), Premier League Hall of Fame (2021)

Figo was a central figure in Real Madrid’s Galacticos and won the Ballon d’Or in 2000. Starting at Barcelona before controversially moving to their rivals, he excelled technically and starred in Portugal’s golden generation alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

  • Appearances: 792
  • Goals: 156
  • Assists: 262
  • Honours: Portuguese Footballer of the Year (1995-2000), La Liga top assist provider (1997, 1999), Ballon d’Or (2000), FIFA World Player of the Year (2001), Champions League top assist provider (2005)

Bale began as a left-back but transformed into one of the world’s most exciting right-wingers. His standout moment was dominating Inter Milan in the 2012/13 Champions League. After winning Premier League Player of the Year in 2013, he joined Real Madrid and won five Champions League titles. His overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 final remains iconic.

  • Appearances: 665
  • Goals: 225
  • Assists: 154
  • Honours: Premier League Player of the Season (2013), UEFA Team of the Year (2011, 2013), PFA Young Player of the Year (2013), FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (2018)

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