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While plenty of professional footballers can use both feet, most players are naturally right-footed, making left-footed players a minority.
However, these left-footers are important in the modern game. Today, as inverted wingers and full-backs contribute so much to teams, left-footed players form a key element of such sides.
There are some excellent left-footed players in football right now
Over the years, there have been many fantastic left-footed players, with many of them going on to become some of the greatest ever players in the game. The current crop of players are no different, with most left-footed players proving to be a crucial part of their team's success.
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Here we take a look at the five most valuable left-footed football players in the world right now:
#5 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) - €80 million
Arguably the best player in the world right now, Lionel Messi is the fifth most valuable left-footed footballer in the world right now.
This is no surprise considering the Argentine has scored some exquisite goals with his left-foot throughout his playing career.
So far in his club career, Messi has scored 672 goals. Out of this, more than 60 per cent (414) of the goals have come from the Argentine's famed left-foot. This included some brilliant free-kicks as well as beautifully crafted solo goals.
The 34-year-old's goalscoring and trophy records speak for themselves. He has won a staggering 36 trophies in his career which includes 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. Messi also won his first international trophy after captaining Argentina to Copa America glory this summer.
Additionally, the forward has won the Ballon d'Or on six separate occasions.
Messi joined PSG in the summer after Barcelona were unable to offer him a new contract due to their financial conditions. After three games without a goal, Messi finally scored his first for PSG in a 2-0 win against Manchester City in the Champions League. It was a brilliant strike from the edge of the box with, as you might have guessed, his left-foot.
#4 Phil Foden (Manchester City) - €80 million
Manchester City's teenage sensation Phil Foden is without a doubt one of the best young players in football at the moment.
Part of Manchester City's academy, Foden made his first-team debut during the 2017-18 season.
The 21-year-old slowly started integrating into the first-team but was always given limited opportunities by Pep Guardiola. But last season, Foden became one of the first names on the team-sheet and was a key part of City's Premier League and Carabao Cup success.
A great technician, Foden has all the range of passing and electric pace to dismantle any defenses in front of him. His left-foot is especially lethal as he has scored some brilliant goals with it.
Out of his 32 goals so far for City's first-team, 22 have come from his left foot, showing his prowess.
Last season, Foden managed to score 16 goals and provide 10 assists in 50 games for the Cityzens. He will be hoping to build on that performance this season and propel the club towards another league title.
#3 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) - €100 million
Chelsea's new star forward, Romelu Lukaku, is the third most valuable left-footed footballer in the world right now.
The Belgian has been in brilliant form over the last couple of seasons and has transformed into one of the best strikers in Europe during his time with Inter Milan.
The former Manchester United man moved to Serie A in 2019 and became a key part of Antonio Conte's side. In 95 games for the Nerazzurri, Lukaku scored 64 goals and registered 16 assists. His 24 goals and 10 assists during the previous season helped Inter win their first Serie A title in 11 years.
Unfortunately, due to Inter's financial crisis, Lukaku had to be sold and the forward returned to the Premier League with Chelsea. He has started well at Stamford Bridge, scoring four goals in eight games for the Blues.
While Lukaku is a naturally left-footed player, only 33 per cent of his goals have come from his left-foot. The 28-year-old has scored a lot of headers showing that he has been using his height and physical presence to good effect.
Lukaku's arrival makes Chelsea one of the contenders for the Premier League title and the Blues will be hoping that he is the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle.
#2 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - €100 million
Mohamed Salah has arguably been the best player in the Premier League during the last few seasons.
The Egyptian winger has been a revelation since joining Liverpool in 2017. He managed to claim the Golden Boot during his first season, with his 32 goals breaking the record for most goals scored by a player in a single campaign.
The 29-year-old is a vital part of Jurgen Klopp's side, and has won three major honors with the Reds, including the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
So far in his club career, Salah has scored 208 goals out of which 132 have come from his left-foot.
Salah started the 2020-21 season in fine fashion, recording eight goals and two assists in eight games across all competitions. He will be hoping to carry on his brilliant form as Liverpool look to regain their Premier League title.
#1 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) - €130 million
Easily one of the most lethal strikers in world football right now, Erling Haaland has been absolutely sensational since bursting onto the scene in 2019.
Haaland caught the attention of Europe's top clubs after his brilliant performances in the Champions League with Red Bull Salzburg. The Norway international moved to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 and since then has been scoring goals for fun for the Bundesliga outfit.
In 67 appearances in all competitions, the 21-year-old has scored 68 goals and provided 19 assists, averaging more than one goal per game.
Haaland also holds the record of being the fastest to reach 20 Champions League goals, after achieving the feat in just 16 games.
Most of Haaland's goals during his professional club career have come from his left foot. He has scored 117 goals so far out of which more than 50 per cent of them have come from his preferred foot.
Haaland started the new season with 11 goals and four assists in just eight games across all competitions. The forward will be hoping to carry on with his form and will definitely eye the European Golden Boot this season.
