Top 20 Wingers in World Football Right Now

The world of football is filled with players of all shapes and skills, making the sport endlessly fascinating. Traditionally, wingers were simply fast, skillful players who could cross balls into the box for strikers. Nowadays, wingers take on many roles: goal scorers, pressing forwards, inside attackers, and more. From Brazilian flair to English grit, a variety of talents are shining across the Premier League and Europe.

We decided to rank the 20 best wingers currently playing globally. The list is based on several key factors:

• Goals: Number of goals scored in the past 12 months
• Assists: Number of goals created in the last year
• Success: Contributions to trophies and deep runs in domestic and continental competitions
• Standout moments: Memorable performances that caught fans' attention
• Team importance: How crucial the player is to their team's success

Note that only players listed as 'Right Winger' or 'Left Winger' on Transfermarkt qualify here. For example, Kylian Mbappe is excluded as he is classified as a centre-forward, while Cole Palmer and Phil Foden are now considered attacking midfielders.

20. Rafael Leao (AC Milan)

After a standout 2022/23 season, Rafael Leao showed world-class quality at AC Milan. Though his recent form has been uneven, his blazing speed on the left wing remains a threat. At 27, the Portuguese talent is entering his prime and could be a major factor at whichever club he joins next, especially after expressing a desire to leave Milan following another frustrating season.

19. Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid)

Lookman moved to Atletico Madrid in February, escaping potential stagnation at Atalanta. He previously impressed in the Premier League and Serie A, scoring a crucial Champions League winner against Barcelona to send Atletico to the semi-finals. His European exploits include a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final.

18. Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)

Many attacking players have struggled at Manchester United recently, but Bryan Mbeumo adapted quickly after joining from Brentford last summer for £70 million. The Cameroonian scored 10 goals in his debut campaign, including important strikes versus Liverpool and Tottenham. With Michael Carrick taking charge next season, Mbeumo looks set to improve further.

17. Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)

Anthony Gordon’s rise began at Everton before moving to Newcastle in January 2023. His performances helped the Magpies secure Champions League qualification and a Carabao Cup win. Although his domestic form dipped in 2025/26, Gordon scored 10 goals in just 12 Champions League games, prompting a surprise transfer to Barcelona this summer.

16. Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

One of the less known names here, 20-year-old Kenan Yildiz has made a mark at Juventus with 12 goals and 10 assists in the 2025/26 season. Formerly part of Bayern Munich’s youth setup, the Turkish winger is rapidly developing into a top attacking prospect with no signs of slowing down.

15. Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)

Yan Diomande joined RB Leipzig from CD Leganes in 2025 and quickly established himself as a Bundesliga starlet. The 19-year-old left winger has recorded 13 goals and nine assists so far. Currently attracting interest from PSG and Liverpool, Diomande’s strong performances at the 2026 World Cup for Ivory Coast suggest a bright future ahead.

14. Rodrygo (Real Madrid)

Often overshadowed by teammate Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo remains a vital figure for Real Madrid. The Brazilian’s quick feet and ability to use both feet make him tough for defenders. At 25, he has over 200 appearances for Los Blancos, winning two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies. Rodrygo’s best years likely lie ahead.

13. Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

Jeremy Doku’s explosive runs down the wing caused problems for opponents during his third season at Manchester City. Despite early injury setbacks, the Belgian winger has shown glimpses of brilliance, including a standout performance in a 3-0 win over Liverpool and a brace against Everton. To climb higher in rankings, adding more goals and better decision-making will be key.

12. Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain)

Bradley Barcola first turned heads at Olympique Lyonnais before signing for PSG in 2023. The 23-year-old French winger settled quickly, benefiting from Kylian Mbappe’s departure. Since then, Barcola has impressed consistently, contributing to back-to-back Champions League victories with the Parisians.

11. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah is a constant in Liverpool’s greatest teams and firmly among the best wingers worldwide. Signed for around £34.3 million, Salah’s goal-scoring feats make him one of the Premier League’s all-time greats. Although his form dipped under Arne Slot in 2025/26, he remains a prolific scorer and Liverpool’s record Premier League goalscorer. He might be past his peak but still holds plenty of threat.