5 best substitutes in world football at the moment

Edinson Cavani is one of the best substitutes in the game.
Edinson Cavani is one of the best substitutes in the game.

#3 Angel Rodriguez

Angel Rodriguez
Angel Rodriguez

La Liga's most underrated players in recent years - Angel Rodriguez - is a super-sub in the truest sense.

Rodriguez is Getafe's top scorer this season - with six goals across all competitions. In the 2019-20 season, the Spaniard made a massive impact from the bench - propelling Getafe to the top half of the La Liga table and a memorable run to the pre-quarterfinals of the Europa League.

With seven goals as a substitute last season, Rodriguez registered the most goals by a player off the bench in Europe's top-five leagues in 2019-20. Angel Rodriguez is arguably Los Azulones' most prized asset and has had strong rumoured interest from Barcelona earlier in the season.

Out of 30 appearances in La Liga this season, Rodriguez has started only 10 games. Making 20 appearances off the bench, he has five goals to show for his efforts. The Spaniard is Getafe's joint-highest goalscorer in the 2020-21 La Liga.


#2 Luis Muriel

Luis Muriel
Luis Muriel

Luis Muriel is one of Europe's most lethal super-subs. The Colombian has scored nine goals to break a 26-year old Serie A record for most goals by a substitute in a single season.

Since the turn of the year, Muriel has had joint-second goal involvements in Europe's top-five leagues, along with the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku.

The Colombian has been involved in 14 goals (eight goals, six assists) in the last three months and has played a significant role in Atalanta's devastating form this season. Muriel also has one of the best minute-per-goal ratios - with a goal every 65.5 minutes on the pitch.

The Colombian has also showcased his prowess in the limited starting appearances he has made, making only 15 Serie A appearances this season as a starter. Muriel has provided an exceptional return of 15 goals and seven assists from these starts.


#1 Edinson Cavani

Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani

It is impossible to make a list of the best substitutes in the world without mentioning one of Europe's most lethal strikers in the modern era - Edinson Cavani.

Cavani has been one of the best no. 9s in world football in the past decade and has continued his fine goalscoring form after his move to Manchester United. The Uruguayan was one of the first names on PSG's team sheet but adapted quickly to the role of a super-sub under Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

Edinson Cavani has scored four goals as a substitute in the Premier League this season, which is only one short of his manager's club record of five goals scored from the bench in the 1998-99 campaign.

In 33 appearances this season, Cavani has come on as a substitute 16 times. Earlier in the season, the Uruguayan became only the second Premier League player to record three or more goal involvements (two goals, one assist) after coming on a substitute - in United's memorable comeback win against Southampton.

Quick Links

Edited by Bhargav
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications