Gone are the days when the left wing was relentless positioning machines. The left winger in the modern era is much more versatile, capable of doing more than just crossing into the penalty area.
Most of the left wing players today are very quick, excellent on the ball, know how to beat defenders one-on-one and are efficient scorers. Today, we’re going to take a look at five of these innovators and innovators who have entertained us the most in 2022.
Below, we’ll rank the top five left-handed players in 2022:
#5 Rafael Leao (Portugal) – AC Milan
The Portuguese left winger for AC Milan had one of his best roles in the 2021-22 Serie A season. Scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 matches. Seven goals and eight assists in 19 matches between January and May 2022. Leo has also scored two goals in four Coppa Italia matches and once in four Champions League matches.
The 2021-22 Serie A title-winning left winger has also been in fantastic form in the 2022-23 season. In 20 appearances in all competitions, the 23-year-old has scored seven times and provided nine assists.
Liao was unable to participate in any of Portugal’s five matches before Morocco lost them in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Although he played only 83 minutes of football in five matches, he still scored two goals.
#4 Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – Eindhoven
Recently signed Liverpool left winger Cody Jaco has achieved an outstanding 2022. He first made himself known to the world by performing for PSV Eindhoven. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he proved right to be considered one of the most promising young players in Europe.
Jakpo, who can play not only as a left winger but also in the middle, scored six goals and provided two assists in 14 Eredivisie matches during the second half of the 2021-22 season. He also scored two goals in the Dutch Cup, including once in a 2-1 win over Ajax in the final. Prior to joining Liverpool, Gakpo scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists in 24 appearances for PSV Eindhoven in the 2022-23 season, demonstrating his ability to score and create.
When it comes to international football, he scored three goals in five matches for the Netherlands, before Argentina knocked them out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
#3 Neymar (Brazil) – Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain (Paris Saint-Germain) and Brazilian star Neymar did well in 2022. The left winger struggled to stay fit in the first half of the year but was very effective when called upon. In 12 Ligue 1 matches in the second half of the 2021-22 season, Neymar scored 10 goals and provided three assists. He appeared in the Champions League Round of 16 against Real Madrid (lost 3-2 on aggregate) and was behind two goals from Mbappe in both matches.
This season, the 30-year-old left winger has fired all the wood, in both the First Division and the Champions League. He scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 15 league matches. In Europe, he scored two goals and provided three assists in five matches.
Neymar only managed to play for Brazil three times in the 2022 World Cup, missing two group stage matches due to an ankle injury. He scored two goals and provided an assist before the Seleção lost to Croatia in the quarter-finals.
# 2 Sadio Mane (Senegal) – Liverpool / Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich left winger Sadio Mane tortured opponents with his pace and tenacity in 2022. In Champions League knockout matches, Mane has scored three times in the Champions League and provided an assist in seven matches. The Merseysiders lost the final 1-0 to Real Madrid.
In the 2021-22 Premier League season, he scored nine goals and provided two assists in 16 matches. There, too, the Reds finished second after defeating Manchester City.
In the FA Cup semi-finals, Mane scored two goals as his team won 3-2 against Manchester City. Liverpool beat Chelsea in the final on penalties. Mané also appeared in the UEFA Cup Final, where Liverpool once again beat Chelsea on penalties.
The 30-year-old left winger joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 and has scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 23 appearances in all competitions.
The Senegalese international couldn’t help his side to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but catapulted them to glory in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. He scored three times and assisted two more goals in seven matches at the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the final to be crowned king of Africa.
#1 Vinicius Junior (Brazil) – Real Madrid
Real Madrid left winger Vinicius Junior had a great 2022. The young Brazilian has significantly improved his end product under coach Carlo Ancelotti and played a crucial role in Los Blancos’ treble-winning Champions League and La Liga in the 2021-22 season.
During the second half of the 2021-22 season, Vinicius Jr. scored two goals and three assists in seven Champions League knockout encounters. In La Liga, he scored seven goals and provided eight assists in 16 matches. Vinicius Jr. has also scored once in two matches of the Supercopa de España.
This season, the left winger has firmly established himself as Los Blancos’ top scorer in all competitions. In La Liga, he scored six goals and provided three assists in 15 matches. He also scored four times and assisted in six Champions League matches.
The 22-year-old also showed impressive form at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring once and providing two assists before Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
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