Clubs: Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami

 

In a similar story to Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, despite being the greatest Argentine footballer of all time, only ranks sixth on this list. There have been several different versions of the attacker over the years. There's no doubt he was phenomenal as a winger in his early career, but his best seasons came as a false nine, playmaker, and forward. 

As mentioned, Messi broke onto the scene as a right winger full of energy and elegance. He helped Barcelona win the 2009 Champions League in the position, taking the match by the scruff of its neck and gaining control. World-class in every sense. 

5 Stanley Matthews

Clubs: Stoke, Blackpool

Stanley Matthews won the first-ever Ballon d'Or in 1956, beating Alfredo Di Stéfano and Raymond Kopa to the award. In doing so, he became one of the few players to win the award whilst playing for an English side, and that immediately saw him recognised as one of the best wingers ever. 

For Stoke and Blackpool, Matthews was in a league of his own, as he was blessed with speed, skill, and excellent crossing ability. If a defender gave him an inch, he would take a mile, effortlessly breaking into the final third before setting up his teammates. 

4  Neymar

Clubs: Santos, Barcelona, PSG, Al Hilal

 

Neymar might be considered one of the unluckiest players of all time. If he shone in another era, he might be considered the best Brazilian player of all time, but he's never been the 'greatest' in his era. Being in the limelight is the most important thing for those who stand the test of time, yet unfortunately for Neymar, he came during a spell with both Ronaldo and Messi. He never won a Ballon d'Or — he would have 10 years prior — despite his talent, which saw him effortlessly glide past defenders and fire his efforts into the back of the net. 

3  Ronaldinho

Clubs: Gremio, PSG, Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro

The similarities between Neymar and Ronaldinho are frightening. Both played for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. Both broke onto the scene in Brazil. And both are seen as two of the greatest tricksters of all time. The only difference is that Ronaldinho came an era earlier, helping him win the Ballon d'Or in 2005. 

He treated the pitch like it was a playground, completing every skill move under the sun on a consistent basis. As one of the best players in the world to watch in person, he also had an incredible goal-scoring record, picking up over 350 goal contributions in 549 matches. Spectacular. 

2  George Best

Clubs: Man United, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fulham, San Jose Earthquakes

After shining for Man United on a regular basis, George Best is seen as one of the greatest British players ever, but also one of the best wingers of all time. The Northern Irish international did not know what failure was at the peak of his career. As a skilful dribbler, creator and scorer of spectacular goals, Best played a key part in the Red Devils' European Cup triumph in 1968. Defenders never knew which way he was going during an era where it was distinctly tougher to dribble past everyone. Unfortunately, he declined in the 1970s due to alcoholism, but at his best, very few came close. 

1  Garrincha

Clubs: Serrano, Botafogo, Corinthians, Flamengo

Finally, Brazilian legend Garrincha has been ranked as the greatest winger of all time. Plying his trade on the right wing throughout his career, the superstar was always one step ahead of everyone else. Remarkably, he had one leg shorter than the other and was not expected to become a footballer. 

However, he proved the doubters wrong, in particular shining for Brazil at the 1962 World Cup as the competition's top goalscorer. Unsurprisingly, he had a unique dribbling style due to his shorter leg, but that never stopped him during a career which saw him become the world's best.