Ten of the top left footers in world football.
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10) David Silva (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s little magician, David Silva is a class act and one of the finest passers of a ball in Europe with his cultured left foot. The Spaniard has been a superb signing for the club since joining from Valencia back in 2010, helping the club to two Premier League titles as well as finding great success with the Spanish national team, winning two European Championships and one World Cup, becoming a key player for his sides in their respective trophy hauls.
9) Juan Mata (Manchester United)
One of the best creative players in the world on his day, Juan Mata has had a slight dip in form over the last year or so after being inexplicably frozen out by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. The Spaniard has since made the move to Manchester United, and will now be hoping to get back to his best under new manager Louis van Gaal. If Mata can reach anything like his best Chelsea form, United will surely be among the title challengers again soon.
8) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Another of the Premier League’s small, skillful playmakers, Mesut Ozil became Arsenal’s club-record signing last summer when he joined from Real Madrid on deadline day. Although the left-footed German international has not quite found his best form for the Gunners yet, he remains a potentially world class performer and will surely be among the best players in the country this season.
7) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
One of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League last season, Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge is starting to really establish himself as one of the best attacking players in Europe. The England international is deadly on his left side, and now has a range of great strikes to his name, and will be hoping to repeat that next season as the Reds will be reliant on him to replace the departing Luis Suarez.
6) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
A star for Colombia at this summer’s World Cup, Real Madrid’s new signing James Rodriguez is certainly among the best left footers in the world at the moment. The skillful attacking midfielder showed great ability on his left side with some fine strikes to finish top scorer in Brazil this summer, and will now join some quality attacking players at the Bernabeu.
5) Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Although he may not be at Real Madrid for much longer as he continues to be linked with a move away, Argentine winger Angel Di Maria is another superb left-sided player who is undoubtedly among the best in the world. The 26-year-old possesses great technique and delivery to score high in goals and assists, often cutting in onto his left foot from the right flank. Still, the arrival of another left footer in Rodriguez looks to be set to push him out of the door.
4) Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
A player with a hammer of a left foot, Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is not one you’d want to see lining up a shot on his stronger side, with the Dutchman capable of some glorious efforts from almost any angle or distance. The 30-year-old will be crucial to United’s hopes this season and can re-establish himself as one of the best players in the world if he can stay fit.
3) Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Another Dutch World Cup star, Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben is certainly a player capable with either foot, but is known for his tendency to cut in from the right-hand side onto his preferred left foot. Pacey, skillful and with a great eye for goal, Robben is among the best players in the world, and comes even higher among the left-footed candidates.
2) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Another of Real Madrid’s superb left-sided stars, former Tottenham Hotspur wide-man Gareth Bale is a strong contender to finish in the top two of this list, with his amazing technique on his left peg making him a genuinely world class talent. The most expensive player of all time, Bale has done well to repay his transfer fee and live up to expectations at the Bernabeu.
1) Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Tied with the right-footed Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world, there can be no question that Barcelona star Lionel Messi finishes top of the pile in terms of left footers. The Argentine goal machine may not be known for his Robin van Persie-like thunderbolts, but he can hit some sublime efforts from distance when he’s not taking on entire defences on his own.