The winger era is bigger than ever: Modern football doesn’t treat wingers as “just crossers” anymore. The role has evolved into something much heavier: scoring goals, creating chances, breaking low blocks, and deciding games with one burst of acceleration or one clean cut inside.
The biggest shift is the dominance of the inverted winger—right-footers on the left and left-footers on the right—who drift into central areas to shoot, combine, and create overloads. Even teams that still use touchline-huggers now demand end product: goals, assists, and consistent match influence.
This ranking focuses on the wingers who are shaping the 2025–26 season right now—stars who deliver every week, and young talents who already look elite.
How the rankings were decided
1) Consistency
A few great weeks aren’t enough. The best wingers deliver across competitions, against different styles, and through dips in team form.
2) Goals & assists impact
Wingers now carry a huge share of their team’s attacking numbers. Finishing, chance creation, and contribution in big matches all matter.
3) Shot-creation influence
Not every elite winger tops the scoring chart. Some dominate by building the final pass, pre-assists, and actions that lead directly to shots and goals.
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Top 10 Best Wingers in the World 2025–26 (Ranked)
| Rank | Player | Club | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamine Yamal | Barcelona | Spain |
| 2 | Michael Olise | Bayern Munich | France |
| 3 | Raphinha | Barcelona | Brazil |
| 4 | Vinícius Jr | Real Madrid | Brazil |
| 5 | Luis Díaz | Bayern Munich | Colombia |
| 6 | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | PSG | Georgia |
| 7 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | Egypt |
| 8 | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | England |
| 9 | Bradley Barcola | PSG | France |
| 10 | Rodrygo | Real Madrid | Brazil |
1) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
The new standard for a “complete” winger
Yamal’s rise is not just about talent—it’s about control. He can create from the wing, drift inside, play the final ball, and still provide direct goal threat. What separates him from most young stars is decision-making: when to slow it down, when to explode, and when to release the pass.
Why he’s No.1:
- Elite creativity plus end product
- Mature decision-making in big moments
- Can influence games without needing constant touches
2) Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
The creator who also hurts you
Olise blends control, technique, and sharp final-third choices. He’s the kind of winger who doesn’t just “beat a man”—he beats a structure. Bayern benefit because he can act like a winger, a No.10, or a second playmaker depending on the phase of play.
Key strengths:
- Final ball, timing, and shot selection
- Comfortable creating against low blocks
- Smooth transition threat on counters
3) Raphinha (Barcelona)
Relentless output and tactical discipline
Raphinha’s value isn’t only in numbers. It’s also in work rate, pressing intensity, and how consistently he gets into dangerous zones. He offers the modern winger’s full package: directness, creativity, and tactical reliability.
4) Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid)
The ultimate chaos generator
Few players stretch a defense like Vinícius. He forces double teams, creates panic, and opens space for everyone else. Even when he’s not scoring, he’s constantly tilting the pitch.
5) Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich)
Pace, flair, and a ruthless edge
Díaz brings pure wing aggression: quick feet, sharp changes of direction, and a willingness to attack defenders repeatedly. At Bayern, he’s been used as a key attacking engine—especially valuable when the opponent sits deep.
6) Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
Chance creation that doesn’t always show in highlights
Kvaratskhelia is one of those wingers whose real value appears in the “in-between” moments: pre-assists, second actions, and the way he manipulates defenders with body shape. He can break a defense without even sprinting.
7) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The modern right-wing legend still delivering
Salah remains one of the most productive wide forwards in football. Even as teams plan specifically to stop him, he keeps producing—through movement, timing, and clinical finishing.
8) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Big-game winger with leadership energy
Saka offers balance: he can create, score, carry the ball, and work hard defensively. Injuries have disrupted rhythm at times, but when he’s fit, he’s Arsenal’s most reliable wide match-winner.
9) Bradley Barcola (PSG)
The explosive winger built for elite systems
Barcola has grown into a high-output forward who thrives in fast, attacking teams. His pace and directness make him dangerous both in transition and against set defenses.
10) Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Big-match instinct and intelligent movement
Rodrygo is a clever winger who can slide across the front line—wide or central—without losing influence. Even when minutes fluctuate, he stays dangerous in high-stakes matches.
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Best Right Wingers in the World 2025–26 (Top Tier)
Right wing is currently the home of the “inverted attacker”—players who cut inside to shoot or create. Here are right-sided names shaping the season:
Elite right-wing level (high influence, high output)
- Lamine Yamal
- Mohamed Salah
- Bukayo Saka
- Michael Olise
- Raphinha
- Rodrygo
Dangerous creators and transition threats
- Takefusa Kubo
- Pedro Neto
- Jarrod Bowen
- Mohammed Kudus
- Johan Bakayoko
- Amad Diallo
- Leroy Sané
- Iñaki Williams
- Ángel Di María
Top 110 Best Wingers in the World 2025–26 (Ranked List)
Notes on the list: Players are included as long as they regularly play wide roles (RW/LW) or are used as wide forwards within their team’s structure.
1–10
- Lamine Yamal
- Michael Olise
- Raphinha
- Vinícius Jr
- Luis Díaz
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Mohamed Salah
- Bukayo Saka
- Bradley Barcola
- Rodrygo
11–25
- Pedro Neto
- Mohammed Kudus
- Jarrod Bowen
- Savinho
- Takefusa Kubo
- Johan Bakayoko
- Iñaki Williams
- Leroy Sané
- Amad Diallo
- Ángel Di María
- Yeremy Pino
- Franco Mastantuono
- Nico Williams
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Kingsley Coman
26–50
- Phil Foden
- Riyad Mahrez
- Son Heung-min
- Rafael Leão
- Jack Grealish
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Federico Chiesa
- Antony
- Bernardo Silva
- Kaoru Mitoma
- Jérémy Doku
- Serge Gnabry
- Marcus Rashford
- Luis Sinisterra
- Ferran Torres
- Domenico Berardi
- Christian Pulisic
- Dejan Kulusevski
- Randal Kolo Muani
- João Félix
- Arda Güler
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Ismaïla Sarr
- Sadio Mané
- Allan Saint-Maximin
51–75
- Luis Ocampos
- Hirving Lozano
- Moussa Diaby
- Pedro Gonçalves
- Federico Dimarco (wide role/wingback hybrid)
- Sergej Milinković-Savić (wide use at times)
- Jota
- Ademola Lookman
- Edon Zhegrova
- Xavi Simons
- Wilfried Zaha
- Leon Bailey
- Ritsu Doan
- Cengiz Ünder
- David Neres
- Ansu Fati
- Tete
- Hakim Ziyech
- Pablo Sarabia
- Noni Madueke
- Brennan Johnson
- Harvey Barnes
- Garnacho
- Samuel Chukwueze
- Lucas Paquetá (wide use at times)
76–110
- Karim Adeyemi
- Julian Brandt (wide use at times)
- Luis Henrique
- Matías Soulé
- Nico González (wide use at times)
- Johan Mojica (wide/wingback hybrid)
- Álex Baena
- Jonathan David (wide use at times)
- Crysencio Summerville
- Rayan Cherki (wide use at times)
- Jesper Lindstrøm
- Viktor Tsygankov
- Dodi Lukébakio
- Benjamin Bourigeaud (wide use at times)
- Thorgan Hazard
- Youssouf Fofana (wide use at times)
- Callum Hudson-Odoi
- Ivan Perišić
- Leandro Trossard
- Wilfried Singo (wide/wingback hybrid)
- Michael Antonio (wide use at times)
- Noah Lang
- Samuel Iling-Junior
- Andreas Skov Olsen
- Jesper Karlsson
- Ilias Akhomach
- Luis Palma
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (wide/wingback hybrid)
- Facundo Pellistri
- Nico Paz (wide use at times)
- Roony Bardghji
- Yankuba Minteh
- Ernest Nuamah
- Kevin Schade
- Bryan Gil
Trends shaping winger football in 2025–26
1) The “hybrid winger” is normal now
Many wingers aren’t fixed to one job. They may start wide, finish inside, and defend like a wingback depending on the match plan.
2) Output matters more than style
You can be flashy, but the elite are the ones who consistently provide:
- goals
- assists
- final passes
- shot-creation influence
3) Young stars are taking over
The top of the winger world now includes younger names who don’t play like “prospects”—they play like leaders.
Conclustion
The 2025–26 winger landscape is a mix of unstoppable established production and fearless young brilliance. At the very top, the best wingers aren’t just wide attackers—they’re the central story of how modern teams win matches.
