Best wingers in the world 2024
Our comprehensive round-up of the 10 best wingers in the world in 2024.
Football is all about entertainment and there is nothing that gets fans out of their seat, pulses racing, quite like a winger with the ball at their feet.
With the move away from the 4-4-2 formation at the top level of professional football, the position has evolved - traditional wingers that play with chalk on their boots have become something of a rarity, with the new-age wide forwards preferring to cut inside or drift centrally to offer more of a goal threat.
Many of the best attacking players in world football do their best work from the flanks so to help cut the list down to just 10, we’ve looked at ability, recent success and production, and, of course, the eye test.
You won’t find the likes of Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe, who we’ve got down as strikers, on this list but it is certainly not short on talent.
RadioTimes.com brings you our definitive list of the 10 best wingers in the world in 2024.
Check our more football features: Best players of all time | Best players in the world 2024 | Best midfielders 2024 | Best defenders 2024 | Best goalkeepers 2024 | Best young players 2024 | Best teams in the world 2024
10. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
There’s something magic about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Napoli winger’s dazzling footwork, unpredictability, and penchant for the spectacular make him one of the most exciting players to watch in world football.
‘Kvaradona’ has helped deliver Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years and was the star man as Georgia caught the eye at Euro 2024.
9. Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
The departure of Harry Kane last summer saw Tottenham’s new captain step up and get back to his devastating best - posting some ridiculous numbers in Ange Postecoglou’s first season at the helm.
Though lightning quick, the South Korean is more inside forward than traditional winger - a brilliant finisher off both feet that can do real damage running in behind.
8. Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
2023/24 may have been a memorable season at Bayern Munich for the wrong reasons but Leroy Sane continued to impress.
Blessed with frightening pace, a dazzling dribbling ability and a thunderous strike, the 28-year-old can hurt oppositions sides in a host of ways and is set to be a key man as the Bundesliga giants look to recapture their crown.
7. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Leaving Man City was a bold call from Cole Palmer but his dazzling debut season at Chelsea, where he has established himself as the new king of Stamford Bridge, has proven it vindicated.
The £40m+ fee already looks a bargain for the 22-year-old, whose talents as both a creator and a goalscorer make him one of the Premier League’s best attackers
6. Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
While another Real Madrid winger has taken much of the recent plaudits, Rodrygo deserves his own time in the sun.
The Brazilian can tie defenders up in knots with his quick feet and armoury of tricks but it’s his goalscoring exploits in the past few years that have taken his game to new heights.
Still just 23, the Brazilian already has three La Liga titles and two Champions League, among other trophies, to his name. There is surely much more to come.
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5. Phil Foden (Man City)
Where Phil Foden does his best work is a topic of much debate but one thing is for sure, there are few better when he’s on song.
The 24-year-old took his game up a level in 2023/24 - scooping the Premier League player of the year award as Man City won a record fourth-consecutive title before helping England reach the Euro 2024 final.
4. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
He is only 17 but already Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has already risen to superstar status.
The La Masia product enjoyed an eye-catching breakout year in 2023/24 but Euro 2024 was where he really established himself among the world’s best - proving a catalyst in Spain’s triumph and being named the young player of the tournament.
3. Mo Salah (Liverpool)
Rumours continue to circle about his future but Liverpool’s Mo Salah is doing his talking on the pitch.
The Egyptian King’s production as a wide forward is nothing short of ridiculous - consistently returning 20+ goals and 10+ assists per season - and the 32-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down.
2. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
It’s easy to forget that Bukayo Saka is still just 23. Arsenal’s star boy has led their title charges over the past two years, becoming one of the most feared attackers in the Premier League.
He’s shown his class on the international stage as well, winning England Men’s Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023 while producing some big moments as the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2024.
1. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Vinicius Jr is a defender’s nightmare. The deadly pace has always been there but there is now an inevitability about his play. You cannot stop him.
The Brazilian has more than justified the €45 million that Real Madrid spent on him as a 16-year-old and thrived under the added pressure after Karim Benzema’s exit.
Who is the best winger in the world?
Vinicius Jr has established himself as one of the world’s best players in recent years - firing Real Madrid to two La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs in the past three seasons.
The challenge now is to continue to stand out after the arrival of Kylian Mbappe but a player of his talent will always sparkle.
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