Football used to be a simple game. The ball was kicked out to the skilled wingers, who did their thing and crossed one or two balls for a big target man to head home.
The "left winger" has taken many forms over the years, from the silky Brazilian to the direct Englishman. Such variation in winger profiles has only increased in recent years, with the roles these players play being entirely dependent on the system in which they are involved.
Here are the top six left-wingers in the world right now.
1. Neymar (PSG):
Neymar is no longer the kid who broke the internet during his time at Santos, but he is still a footballer who brings joy to his fans' faces.
Neymar's record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 pushed him out of the spotlight domestically, with the vast majority of fans judging the Brazilian's legacy based on his Champions League performances.
2. Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich):
There were numerous factors contributing to Liverpool's poor start to the 2022/23 season, but Sadio Mane's departure is undeniably one of them, even if Luis Diaz has performed admirably in his place. Mane brought much more to the Liverpool team than just goals and assists. He was a pillar in Jurgen Klopp's powerhouse.
Mane has since joined Bayern Munich, where Julian Nagelsmann uses him as an ever-changing center forward. His start in Germany wasn't ideal, but it's what Mane accomplished at Anfield that has him ranked so high.
3. Son Heung-min (Tottenham): The reigning Premier League Golden Boot winner has started the 2022/23 season as if he's never kicked a football before, but that shouldn't overshadow Son Heung-min's brilliance.
Son is known for enduring form lapses, and while such troughs can be extremely frustrating, his scintillating purple patches more than compensate.
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal):
Gabriel Martinelli is one of the few bright spots in Unai Emery's Arsenal tenure.
The winger was signed from Brazilian minnows Ituano with little fanfare in 2018, but he showed during his first season in England that the Gunners may have found a rough diamond in him.
Martinelli is emerging as one of the Premier League's most dangerous goal threats in an exciting attack alongside Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, with his direct running and superb ball-striking with both feet allowing him to score a variety of goals.
5. Jack Grealish (Manchester City):
Another casualty of his high price. Manchester City paid £100 million for Jack Grealish in 2021, knowing he would fail.
Unless you're Erling Haaland, it takes time for players to adjust to Pep Guardiola's style, and City's abundance of talent in wide areas meant Grealish only played a minor role for the eventual champions.
6. Cody Gakpo (PSV): Cody Gakpo has already established himself as an excellent young leader at PSV Eindhoven. On the field, the Dutch international sets a good example, and a departure from the Eredivisie seems unavoidable.
Gakpo can play anywhere on the front line, but he's most effective off the left side. The imposing Dutchman can drive infield and fire shots at will from this position.
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