10 Best Left-Footed Footballers in the World Right Now [Ranked]

While most of the world is right-footed, there is a special group of players who favor their left foot—and some are exceptionally talented with it. Many of the best footballers on the planet today are left-footed, and the top 10 have now been ranked.

Covering a range of positions, these players represent the best of the best who prefer their left foot over their right. The list includes prolific goalscorers, electrifying wingers, and even midfield maestros. Let's dive into the top 10 left-footed footballers in the world right now.

10. Granit Xhaka

Bayer Leverkusen

Granit Xhaka's resurgence at Bayer Leverkusen has been nothing short of extraordinary. While he had already begun to turn his fortunes around at Arsenal before his summer 2023 departure, his career has soared to new heights in Germany.

Not long ago, Xhaka was being booed by his own fans, and his career seemed to be on a downward trajectory. Now, he’s a Ballon d'Or nominee, recently celebrated a treble with Leverkusen, and went undefeated throughout the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. Quite the turnaround.

9. Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid

After a disappointing stint at Barcelona, Antoine Griezmann has rediscovered the form that once made him one of the most coveted forwards in football. His return to Atletico Madrid has revitalized his career, where he continues to shine whether playing out wide or through the middle. Known for his lethal left foot, Griezmann has netted 155 goals with it throughout his career, according to Football Whispers.

Now 33, Griezmann has started the 2024/25 season in impressive fashion, racking up eight goal contributions in his first eight games across La Liga and the Champions League. Not bad at all.

8. Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

Martin Ødegaard, once hailed as a prodigy, seemed at one point to fall short of his immense potential. After moving to Real Madrid as a teenager, he struggled to secure regular playing time. However, his career has taken a remarkable turn in England, where he’s now thriving at Arsenal.

Ødegaard has become a crucial figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, playing a pivotal role in the Gunners' transformation from outsiders to genuine title contenders. His influence on the team cannot be overstated. Throughout his career, the Norwegian has scored 66 goals, with 36 of them coming from his favored left foot.

7. Lamine Yamal

Barcelona

Lamine Yamal has had an extraordinary rise over the past year. At the start of the 2023/24 season, the young Spaniard was just beginning to break into Barcelona's first team, with many seeing him as a potential future star. Fast-forward to today, and he has already reached that level far sooner than expected.

Yamal has been exceptional for both club and country. After playing a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 victory, he's carried that form into the new season, emerging as arguably Barcelona’s standout player as they lead La Liga. Whether delivering jaw-dropping assists or tormenting defenders, Yamal is well on his way to becoming not only the best left-footed player in the world, but potentially the best overall.

6. Phil Foden

Manchester City

After winning the Premier League Player of the Year award last season, Phil Foden has finally fulfilled the immense potential he's shown for much of his career. Pep Guardiola was patient in developing the Englishman, and that approach has paid off brilliantly. Foden is a true magician with the ball at his feet.

The Manchester City star is heavily reliant on his left foot, scoring 64 of his 87 career goals with it. But as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—he's clearly found a winning formula. Although the 2024/25 season has started a bit slowly for Foden, with fewer appearances so far, his standout performances last season have earned him a well-deserved breather.

5. Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

At just 23 years old, Bukayo Saka has already secured his place among Arsenal's greatest academy graduates, and it's easy to see why. The English winger is electric on the flank, and when he's at his best, there isn’t a defender in the world who can keep him contained.

Few players are as adept at carrying the ball up the pitch, and Saka's ability to glide past opposition defenders is unmatched. While he hasn't found the back of the net often in the early stages of the 2024/25 season, he's excelled in creating opportunities for his teammates. It's thrilling to imagine just how much better Saka can still become.

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4. Cole Palmer

Chelsea

Cole Palmer’s transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea will likely be remembered as the turning point in his career. While he showed immense potential at the Etihad, few could have anticipated just how much he would flourish after moving to Stamford Bridge.

Palmer has been electric for the Blues, becoming a key player for the team. Although he didn’t feature prominently for England at Euro 2024, his impact at Chelsea is undeniable. With 11 goal contributions already this season, his recent four-goal display against Brighton & Hove Albion marked the second time he’s netted four goals in a Premier League game since his move to London. Truly remarkable.

3. Lionel Messi

Inter Miami

Lionel Messi may be nearing the twilight of his career, but he remains one of the most gifted players in the world. Despite battling injuries in recent months, he quickly reminded everyone why he’s often considered the greatest of all time when he made his return to action with a stunning brace.

Messi’s talent with the ball is unmatched—while he’s great with both feet, it’s his left foot that has truly dazzled throughout his career. In 2023, he joined Inter Miami when they were languishing at the bottom of the MLS table. Just a year later, he’s already led the team to their first-ever piece of silverware and has them sitting at the top of the league. Simply incredible.

2. Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah, the epitome of consistency, has been among the world’s elite players for nearly a decade. Since joining Liverpool in 2017, the Egyptian forward has taken the Premier League by storm and has been pivotal to the club's success over the years. While he is adept with both feet, he tends to favor his left, having scored 178 of his 294 career goals with it.

Even with Jurgen Klopp’s departure earlier this year and Arne Slot stepping in, Salah has maintained his exceptional form, starting the new season just as strongly as he finished the last.

1. Erling Haaland

Manchester City

There’s truly no one like Erling Haaland in today’s beautiful game, and it’s safe to say he’s unlike any player in the sport's history. Since joining England in 2022, he has been scoring at an astonishing rate, breaking multiple records at Manchester City and showing no signs of slowing down.

In just six Premier League matches, he has already netted 10 goals, and if he continues this pace, he’s likely to clinch the Golden Boot by Christmas. With an impressive array of goals throughout his career, Haaland has showcased his ability to score with virtually any part of his body, but he clearly favors his left foot. More than half of his goals have come from that side, solidifying his status as the best left-footed player in the world today.