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The role of the winger has changed in the last few years. Gone are the days where wingers roam around the byline as they aim to isolate the opposition full-back and make crosses into the box.
Now, they play a lot more aggressive role. They play higher up the pitch a lot frequently and drift in from the wide areas to link up with the forwards and attacking midfielders. They contribute to a lot more goals and assists now, than they have done 10 years back.
That’s why the importance of a wide player in a team cannot be ignored. Players like Arjen Robben, Angel Di Maria, Frank Ribbery, Gareth Bale, Leroy Sane, and Ivan Perisic are some of the influential wingers in world football.
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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are playing as strikers in the last 12 months and hence not considered here.
Without much ado, let’s take a look at the seven best wingers in the world right now.
#7 Florian Thauvin
The 25-year-old Frenchman took the Ligue 1 by storm this season. Playing for Marseille on the right-wing, Thauvin has been a standout player for Rudi Garcia this season, taking them to the finals of the UEFA Europa League.
Thauvin has scored 25 goals and assisted 13 more in 51 appearances for his club in 2017/18. He is phenomenal with his close control and dribbling. With 3.4 dribbles and 2.2 key passes per game in Ligue 1 this season, he made a huge difference for Marseille.
Thauvin is a left-footed player, who possesses blistering speed and great acceleration. He is in Didier Deschamps' France squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer and could make it big for the Les Bleus.
#6 Leroy Sane
The 22-year-old Manchester City sensation is one of the brightest young talents in the world. Deployed on the left wing by Pep Guardiola, Sane has played brilliantly throughout the 2017/18 campaign.
The Germany international has scored 14 goals and assisted 17 more for Manchester City in all competitions this season. He has shown great pace and made 2.7 dribbles per game in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola has played a huge role in his progress, as he transformed a raw talent into one of the best wingers in the world. He is only 22 and could develop into a world-class footballer. His performances against Liverpool, Brighton, and Arsenal in the Premier League this season were simply phenomenal.
#5 Memphis Depay
Manchester United reject Memphis Depay is one of the most exciting young footballers in the world right now. He has scored some wonder goals for Lyon this season and was a lively presence for the French side.
The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals and assisted 16 more in 51 appearances for Lyon in this campaign. The Dutch winger was one of the best performers in Ligue 1 this season and played a stellar role for Lyon in their top three finish in 2017/18.
Depay plays predominantly on the left for Lyon and has a great right foot. He has great pace, strikes the ball beautifully, and possesses some amazing skills. Though he failed miserably at Manchester United, he had the heart and courage to fight back very quickly at Lyon.
#4 Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season. The Manchester City winger played a huge role for Pep Guardiola in their record PL title win. His pace and direct style have troubled most opponents in the league this season.
The 23-year-old has scored 23 goals and assisted 12 more for Manchester City in his 46 appearances this campaign. With almost 2 dribbles and 1.7 key passes per game in the 2017/18 Premier League season, he played an important player for Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola has transformed him into a world-class player and helped him to develop various facets of the game. He is more composed, learned to make right decisions under pressure, and improved his physical aspects of the game.
#3 Sadio Mane
The Senegalese international is a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool revolution. Along with Salah and Firmino, Sadio Mane has formed the most fearsome front three in world football this season. Having lost Salah to an injury, he was superb for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League finals against Real Madrid.
With 20 goals and eight assists for Liverpool this season, Mane has been a phenomenal performer in the last 12 months. He was particularly exceptional in the UEFA Champions League, scoring 10 goals in 11 games.
Throughout the season, the 26-year-old has played predominantly on the left for Jurgen Klopp in a three-man attack. Mane is one of the fastest players in the Premier League and shows great strength. He is brilliant in the one-on-one situations and possesses amazing talent.
#2 Neymar Jr
World’s most expensive player was prolific for Paris Saint-Germain this season. The Brazilian international has scored 27 goals and 16 assists in 28 competitive appearances for PSG in 2017/18.
Playing alongside Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe, Neymar was phenomenal for the French giants, until a serious foot injury ended his season prematurely.
He often played as a left-sided forward for both PSG and Brazil. A technically gifted player, known for his creativity, dribbling, feints, and pace. The 26-year-old is a sensational player, who possesses great vision, and tremendous finishing abilities. He is brilliant in set-pieces and can pretty much do everything on a football field.
#1 Mo Salah
The Egyptian sensation is arguably the most inform player in the world right now. Ever since his move to Liverpool last summer, Mo Salah has been a phenomenon in European football.
The 25-year-old has scored 32 goals in the Premier League and 10 in the UEFA Champions League. He has also made 14 assists in all competitions for Liverpool this season. He played a stellar role for Liverpool in their Champions League run and a top-four Premier League finish.
He was a hurricane on the right flank for Liverpool, beating defenders one-on-one and scoring goals for fun. A technically gifted footballer, with a great first touch and brilliant ball control. Salah is a prolific finisher, who dribbles well and has a great pace. His direct playing style makes him one of the most dangerous wingers in the world right now.
