The greatest left-footed dribblers in football history – ranked

Left-footed dribblers are a rare breed in football, adding a unique flair to the game. They are a constant headache for defenders, uncertain with every touch... Rare, lethal, and unforgettable, here are some of the best left-footed dribbles to ever play the game.

For a decade, David Silva was the ultimate backbone of Manchester City's midfield. Nicknamed 'El Mago' ('The Magician'), he is arguably one of the most undervalued left-footed midfielders to ever play in the Premier League. When dribbling down his left side, he posed a significant threat to defenders.

The former Olympique Marseille star, Abédi Pelé, is regarded as another world-class left-footed dribbler, who won African Footballer of the Year in 1991-1993. The Ghanaian midfielder scored 88 goals and provided 26 assists in 410 games throughout his career, according to Transfermarkt.

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The former Arsenal and Real Madrid star was superb with the ball, making him one of the most entertaining players to watch. During his time at Real Madrid he was dubbed 'El Mago de Oz' ('The Wizard of Oz') as teammates claimed he was a magician with the ball on his feet. "Mesut has made me better. If you have great players around you, your play becomes stronger," shared Cristiano Ronaldo in 2011 while at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian left-winger often seemed unstoppable down his side, becoming a constant nightmare for defenders. His professional career extended over two decades, where he scored 30 goals and gave 29 assists in 319 games, per Transfermarkt.

The former Leicester City and Manchester City winger was an absolute sensation down the wing, his elusive technique often left defenders wondering where the ball went. In the 2015-16 the French-Algerian winger clinched a hard-fought Premier League title with Leicester City, contributing with 18 goals, and 10 assists, in 39 games, reports StatMuse.

The Hungarian legend is remembered for his lethal left foot in tight spaces. The former Real Madrid legend delivered many magical moments for over ten years at the Spanish capital, scoring 230 goals in 253 games, reports Transfermarkt.

The Argentinian forward was a constant menace down the wing, earning himself a spot amongst Europe's greatest. He played for Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, Juventus, and now Benfica (again). "He made me suffer the most in my career," pointed out former rival Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona) during an interview for MARCA.

The former Brazilian icon from the 1970s is often regarded as one of the best players of his time. He was part of the Brazilian Golden Generation, playing alongside Pelé and Tostão. He scored 26 goals in 92 games with the Brazilian national team, per Transfermarkt.

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The Bulgarian left-winger was a constant threat for defenders, earning the nickname 'The Dagger'. The former FC Barcelona legend was truly unstoppable, scoring 83 goals in 175 games, reporters StatMuse. He also enjoyed brief success in the Serie A and the MLS.

The former Tottenham and Real Madrid forward was a threat on both the pitch and the green. Nicknamed 'The Golfer' by his Real Madrid teammates, Bale was lethal down the wing, scoring big goals for both clubs and country. According to StatMuse, Bale completed 167 successful dribbles during his time in La Liga.

Robben was often regarded as one of the strongest dribbles in Europe, thanks to his world-class skill and remarkable illusiveness on the ball. The Dutch international played for some of Europe's biggest names: Bayern Munich, Chelsea, PSV, and Real Madrid, scoring over 200 goals in 614 games, according to Transfermarkt.

Nicknamed 'The Maradona of the Carpathians,' Hagi was described as one of the most creative and unique playmakers in the game. He is one of the few players that can boast of playing for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Ryan Giggs will forever be in the hearts of every Manchester United fan. The midfielder from Cardiff spent his whole professional career at Old Trafford, where his golden left foot scored 168 goals in 963 games, according to Transfermarkt.

Another genius of his time was Diego Armando Maradona. The Napoli legend was an extremely talented player who, sadly, was always caught up in controversy. Nevertheless, his remarkable ability with the ball made him a constant nightmare for the defense.

For many, the one and only true GOAT. Lionel Messi and his impressive record on the ball prove it. Now playing for Inter Miami, the Argentinian is one of the most skilful players of all time and takes on players whenever he can. Has there ever been a better dribbler than Messi?

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