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A successful winger in modern football requires more than just vertical sprinting and good crossing ability. Wingers now contribute more actively in attack, penetrating into the opposition box to create clear-cut chances as well as scoring a few goals themselves.
Currently, the football world is blessed with many wingers who have proved to be quite unstoppable in front of goal in the last few years. These players have scored goals galore and won multiple accolades, thanks to their prolific returns.
Most importantly, they have helped their clubs and countries win key matches and major competitions. On that note, here's a look at the top five goalscoring wingers in the game at the moment:
#5 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has been one of the finest wingers in the game since arriving at Liverpool from Southampton in the summer of 2016. The Senegalese played a key role in the Reds' Champions League and Premier League triumphs in successive years. He is still performing at the top of his game.
Featuring on the left flank of Liverpool's attack, the winger has been a huge threat to opposition defences in the Premier League this season. He ranks among the top scorers in the division at the moment, with a return of four goals in seven appearances.
Sadio Mane also had a decent outing with the Reds last season, recording 16 goals and nine assists across competitions. Having started the new campaign on the front foot, the winger is well-poised to surpass his previous season's tally this campaign.
#4 Kylian Mbappe
The Paris Saint-Germain forward continues to torment opposition defences with his blistering pace, electrifying dribbling skills and killer goalscoring instincts. Kylian Mbappe is well-known for his ability to step up in big games, and be the difference maker for his team, both for club and country.
The Frenchman has been the standout performer in PSG's star-studded attacking roster so far this season. Mbappe has contributed four goals and five assists for the Parisians across the Champions League and Ligue 1, scoring or assisting every 103 minutes.
The 22-year-old was among the most prolific wingers in Europe last season, registering a whopping 42 goals and 11 assists across competitions. However, it's worth noting that Mbappe has been deployed at center this term to accommodate Lionel Messi in the PSG attack.
#3 Lionel Messi
Arguably the greatest player in history, Lionel Messi has redefined the role of a winger in the last couple of years. He has demonstrated an untouchable level of intelligence on the right flank.
The Argentine's record in front of goal speaks for itself: he has bagged a whopping 751 goals so far in his career for club and country. Despite being 34, the attacker has shown no signs of slowing down yet.
Lionel Messi reminded everyone of his incredible class when he led Argentina to the Copa America 2021 title this summer. Deployed as a right winger with the freedom to roam about, the attacker took the tournament by storm. He ended with the most goals (4) and assists (5), and was also named the best player in the competition.
It took the attacker a few games to score his first PSG goal following his transfer this summer. But he found the right time to open his account with the Parisians, scoring a spectacular effort in their Champions League clash with Manchester City last week.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Much like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is up there with the greatest goalscorers in history, with an unbelievable tally of 790 goals for club and country. In fact, age is just a number got the 36-year-old who continues to be a huge force in front of goal.
The winger was the top scorer in the recently concluded European Championship, scoring five goals even as holders Portugal exited in the Round of 16. He left Juventus to join Manchester United this summer, and has hit the ground running.
The Portuguese set the Premier League on fire, bagging two goals on his second debut for the Red Devils. So far, he has recorded three goals to his name in four league appearances. He also has a return of two goals in as many games in the Champions League. Like Mbappe, Ronaldo has also been deployed at centre in recent games.
#1 Mohamed Salah
On current form, Mohamed Salah is, without doubt, the best winger in the game right now. The Egyptian has scored against his last five consecutive Premier League opponents, including Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
Salah currently leads the goalscoring chart in the English top flight, with six goals and three assists in seven appearances. The Liverpool winger has also kick-started his Champions League campaign on a prolific note, scoring against both AC Milan and Porto.
If he maintains this level of performance till the end of the campaign, he could be in the running for the Ballon d'Or award next year.
