The modern right-winger carries a very different responsibility from the wide players of the past. The game has shifted. The classic image of a winger plastered to the touchline, waiting for the ball and whipping a cross into the box, has almost faded from the elite stage.
Teams now lean on inverted profiles, creative freedom, fluid movement and players who drift inside to influence the game in central pockets. The best right wingers today score, create, control rhythm and tilt the pitch in their team’s favour.
This list looks at the players who shaped the right side of attack over the past twelve months. The ranking leans on goals, assists, influence, involvement in dangerous areas, dribbling, and how important each player has been to their club.
The athleticism, craft and personality each winger brings also matter, because this position is as much about individuality as it is about end product.
With all that considered, here are the top 20 right-wingers of the 2025/26 season.
20. Savinho
Savinho carries the joyful energy you expect from a Brazilian wide player. His game is full of sharp changes of direction, quick feet and a sense of unpredictability that keeps defenders guessing.
Girona saw the full range of his potential during that remarkable 2023–24 season, when they finished third in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League for the first time. He was central to that surge.
The move to Manchester City was always going to bring new challenges. He shifted to the opposite flank and joined a team that spent most of last season trying to find rhythm.
Even so, he produced a respectable output and gave City a direct winger who could beat a man and stretch the play. His goals at Girona hinted at a future where he could become a decisive finisher. If he recaptures that edge, he will be one of the most influential wide players in the Premier League.
SEE ALSO | World’s Best Centre Backs 2025: Top 20 Players Ranked
19. Leroy Sané
Leroy Sané’s talent has never been in doubt. The pace, the power, the explosive dribbling and the cultured left foot have all been visible since his early Schalke days. Yet during his long stay at Bayern Munich, consistency never arrived in the way many predicted. There were bright spells, but the rhythm faded as quickly as it appeared.
At Galatasaray, he has a chance to reset.
Away from the heavy pressure of the Allianz Arena, Sané has space to rediscover the simple joy of attacking with freedom. His skills make him a match-winner, and when he connects his sharp movement with clean end product, very few defenders can contain him.
For a player who has spent years searching for continuity, this new chapter might be the beginning of something steadier.
18. Giuliano Simeone
When you share a surname with the manager of Atlético Madrid, assumptions are inevitable. But Giuliano Simeone has stepped clear of that narrative through his own work.
He brings hard running, intensity and an ability to snap into challenges, which mirrors the mentality Diego Simeone built his coaching life upon. Yet his style is far lighter and more agile. He thrives in wide spaces, drives at defenders, and offers reliable defensive effort without losing creative edge.
The young winger has grown into a dependable figure for Atlético’s attack.
His versatility helps him drift into pockets, switch sides when needed and offer a direct threat that fits the team’s identity. His career is still building, but the early signs show a player who is blending talent with discipline in a way that suits the demands of modern wide play.
17. Iñaki Williams
Iñaki Williams has spent his entire career carrying the identity of Athletic Club, and that devotion has shaped him into a reliable presence on the right side. His pace was once his defining quality, but with experience, his timing, positioning and decision-making have taken a bigger role.
He still offers an outlet in transition and remains capable of breaking open a game with a well-timed run or a sharp finish.
Even as his speed gradually softens, Williams maintains influence through consistency and intelligence. He stands as an example of a winger who understands his team’s structure and plays with discipline as well as ambition.
SEE ALSO | Top 10 Highest-Attended Women’s Soccer Matches in History
16. Noni Madueke
Madueke arrived at Arsenal last summer with a price tag that sparked debates across the fanbase. The £48.5 million move from Chelsea looked bold to some and unnecessary to others, yet the England international needed only a few weeks to quiet the noise.
His early performances carried a sharpness that felt fresh, a sense of directness that added another layer to Arsenal’s attack, until a knee injury in September paused his momentum and kept him out for close to a month.
He returned to find the same challenge he left behind: Bukayo Saka remains the heartbeat of Arsenal’s right flank, a player who rarely gives anyone room to take his place.
Madueke understands that reality, yet every time he steps in, he plays like someone determined to make the decision uncomfortable. There is control in his touches, intent in his movement and confidence in how he drives at defenders.
The talent is clear. His frame, technique and ability to play with power make him well-suited to the league. The next step is turning bursts of quality into a long stretch of reliable output.
15. Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic’s journey has been packed with expectation. His rise at Borussia Dortmund created excitement on both sides of the Atlantic, but his spell at Chelsea became a cycle of encouraging spells interrupted by injuries and shifts in role.
The move to AC Milan felt like a chance to breathe again, and the result has been a resurgence.
Pulisic’s past two seasons in Serie A have been the best of his career. Milan use him in spaces that suit his running style. He picks up the ball wide, cuts inside with intent and moves directly toward goal.
His one-v-one ability remains sharp, and his confidence has returned now that he is trusted in a defined role. The 2025–26 season continues that positive run. He looks settled, composed and productive in ways that once felt out of reach.
When a winger regains rhythm after a long spell of uncertainty, it shows how much the right environment matters. Milan have given him that, and he is responding with maturity and output.
14. Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto’s career could have been derailed by the injuries that kept him out for nearly two full years, yet he worked his way back into top form.
Chelsea’s investment in him during the summer of 2024 was a gamble on both talent and potential. It took time for Neto to adjust, but when he found rhythm in the second half of the 2024–25 campaign, the improvement was clear.
Neto’s game carries a blend of quick footwork, sharp direction changes and a direct style that unsettles defenders.
What changed most last season was his final ball. Passes arrived with more precision, and his finishing looked calmer. His three goals at the Club World Cup showed that he can deliver on big stages, and his involvement in Chelsea’s title run at the tournament proved his value in pressure moments.
If he maintains fitness through this season, he can reach an even higher level.
SEE ALSO | Top 10 Prestigious Awards in Soccer
13. Johan Bakayoko
Johan Bakayoko spent the last two seasons turning the Eredivisie into his own testing ground. Defenders struggled to cope with his pace, power and balance.
He shrugged off challenges, attacked gaps between full-backs and centre-backs, and finished with a level of confidence that grew month after month. PSV leaned heavily on his presence, and he repaid that trust with league titles, match-winning displays and an attacking output that placed him at the top of Dutch football.
His move to RB Leipzig brought a new challenge, but his qualities translate well. He has the strength to ride pressure in the Bundesliga, the speed to break lines and the close control to shape attacks on either foot.
His goal against Liverpool last season, when he danced around two defenders and finished cleanly with his weaker foot, captured the essence of his talent. His ceiling is high, and he is entering a league where his physicality and drive suit the fast tempo.
For a winger who has already shown maturity beyond his years, this season could push him closer to Europe’s top bracket.
12. Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo earned his place among the best because of steady improvement. His years at Brentford prepared him for the spotlight.
He learned how to carry an attack, press with intent and strike cleanly from sharp angles. That growth reached another level during the 2024–25 season when he delivered twenty league goals and helped Brentford punch above their weight.
His move to Manchester United shows how far he has come. Mbeumo brings energy, direct running and decision-making that suits a team looking to stretch opponents.
He does not rely on tricks or flamboyance. His value comes from timing, movement, discipline and the way he shapes attacks with simple, effective touches. Few wingers combine volume of goals with a constant work rate the way he does.
When a team needs someone to chase lost causes, drive transitions and still contribute at the far post, he fits the role perfectly.
11. Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus carries the type of all-round quality that fits almost every attacking system. His strength, agility and balance allow him to glide through contact, and his confidence in tight spaces gives him an edge over most defenders.
After excelling at Ajax, he took those qualities to the Premier League and adapted quickly.
West Ham helped him refine his decision-making. Tottenham now give him a platform suited to his skill set. Kudus does not fit into one neat category.
He can operate as a wide receiver, drive through the middle or receive between the lines and carry the ball with force. His shooting technique makes him a threat from distance, and his ball retention in congested areas helps his team progress in moments where structure breaks down.
The next phase of his career will be shaped by consistency. The tools are all in place. If he strings together a season of steady contributions, he could move into the highest tier of attackers.
SEE ALSO | Top 10 Most Expensive Summer Transfers of 2025
10. Arda Güler
Arda Güler arrived at Real Madrid with a heavy spotlight. Injuries slowed his integration, but the glimpses he provided were enough to remind everyone why he attracted so much attention in the first place. His touch is smooth, his vision sharp, and his control under pressure stands out.
Güler moves like a player raised on street football; small steps, sharp turns and an instinctive sense for angles.
Madrid used him in wider roles out of necessity, but his natural position sits closer to the middle. Even so, he produced bright moments, cutting inside from the right, slipping passes through compact blocks and taking shots early before defenders set themselves.
Now that he has recovered physically, this season is a chance for him to settle into a defined role and show the full range of his creativity.
The talent is not in question. What he needs is rhythm, trust and longer runs of minutes. If those arrive, the impact will be immediate.
9. Rodrygo
Rodrygo sits at an unusual point in his career. He has the quality to be a central figure at almost any club, yet at Real Madrid, he often finds himself adjusting to the presence of other stars. His technique is elite.
His striking of the ball is clean and reliable. His dribbling carries a calm confidence, and he is one of the smartest movers in the final third.
The challenge for Rodrygo is role clarity. He has played on the right, on the left and through the middle. He has adapted to each position because of his intelligence, but repeated role changes can break rhythm.
Madrid’s attack now includes Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, which pushes him into another cycle of adapting to new patterns of play.
Even with those obstacles, his productivity remains high. When he receives consistent service and space to attack, he becomes a game changer. For a player with his technical level, the next step is finding a team context that allows him to be the main conductor rather than the supporting figure.
8. Estêvão
Chelsea knew they were signing a rare profile when they brought Estêvão from Palmeiras. His early matches in England have confirmed that. He moves with composure beyond his age, uses both feet with ease and makes decisions in the final third that show real clarity.
His acceleration helps him drift past markers, and his balance under pressure lets him keep control even when surrounded.
The comparisons with greats of the past come quickly because he blends agility and intelligence in a way that feels natural. What stands out most is his calm in decisive areas. Young wingers often rush final passes or hesitate near the goal.
Estêvão plays with patience, taking an extra touch when needed or releasing the ball early when the space is tight. Chelsea is shaping their attack around his qualities, and the trust he has earned from teammates so early says enough.
This season will give him more room to explore his full potential. The talent is there, and his early months in the Premier League show that he is not bothered by physical challenges or tactical complexity.
7. Désiré Doué
Désiré Doué’s versatility sets him apart. He can operate in midfield, drift wide, play off the striker or even act as a central threat when needed.
His technique is polished, and his decision-making continues to grow. PSG used him across different positions, but his most destructive displays came from the right side, where he found more space to attack defenders and drive inside.
His performance in the 2025 Champions League final introduced him to the wider world. He attacked Inter’s left side repeatedly, combined well with midfielders and forwards around him, and showed a level of composure that players much older often lack in matches of that magnitude.
Scoring twice on that stage changed the way people speak about him.
Right now, Doué looks like a player ready to take on responsibility. His confidence, work rate and ability to affect matches in big moments point toward a long rise at the top level.
SEE ALSO | Top Careers in Soccer: Best Jobs On and Off the Field
6. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s career has entered its twilight, yet his influence remains strong. His speed may have declined, but his control, awareness and ability to unlock a defence remain unmatched.
Inter Miami rely on his calm presence in tight matches, and he delivers in ways few players his age could manage.
His movement into pockets between midfield and defence opens channels for teammates. His passes split lines without forcing teammates into difficult positions. His finishing, even now, carries a level of precision that keeps defenders wary every time he shifts the ball onto his left foot.
The 2025 MLS Cup triumph reminded everyone that, even with reduced physical output, Messi’s mind and technique still operate at a level few in the world can match.
His place on this list comes from influence rather than volume. When he is on the pitch, the game bends around him.
5. Michael Olise
Michael Olise brings balance, control and power to Bayern Munich’s right side. His left foot can send crosses that slice through defensive lines or curl shots that bend past goalkeepers.
The ball seems to glide off his boot without strain. His dribbling is smooth, and his body shape allows him to roll past markers in tight areas.
Olise combines flair with structure. He keeps width when needed, drifts inside when the space opens and links play well with midfield.
Bayern give him freedom to dictate passages of play, and his understanding with the forwards around him grows with each month. His calmness under pressure makes him a reliable source of chances, and his finishing inside the box has become more assured.
The next stage for Olise is consistency atthe Champions League level. The foundation is well set for him to climb even higher.
SEE ALSO | Top 20 Greatest Soccer Players of All Time Ranked
4. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka carries a heavy workload at Arsenal and handles it with maturity. His game blends creativity with responsibility.
He tracks back, offers support to his full back, presses when needed and still finds the energy to contribute in the final third. His left foot brings precision on crosses, curled finishes and quick combinations around the box.
Even when his form dips, his influence remains. Managers trust him because he plays with control and rarely hides from difficult phases of the match.
Arsenal shapes a large portion of their attacking play around him. His improvement over the years shows a player constantly refining the small parts of his game. The 2025/26 season might not have started with explosive numbers, but his all-round contributions remain vital.
3. Ousmane Dembélé
Ousmane Dembélé finally found stability and confidence at PSG. His movement drifted across the front line, and his ability to change pace made him a central figure in their historic quadruple.
Playing through the middle more often, he found more touches, created overlaps with teammates and discovered clearer shooting lanes. His return of thirty-five goals shows how well he adapted to a freer role.
His two-footed dribbling remains a puzzle for defenders.
He can shape to shoot with either foot, turn sharply in tight spaces and accelerate away once he breaks the first challenge.
With PSG pushing for more dominance in Europe, Dembélé’s evolution into a complete attacker gives them a unique advantage. His confidence is at its peak, and his ceiling remains wide open.
2. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah continues to deliver at a rate that defies age. His consistency in front of goal shapes Liverpool’s identity. He times his runs well, strikes early when the chance appears and carries himself with calm assurance in the box.
Every season brings new challenges for Liverpool, yet Salah’s numbers hold steady.
His movement from the right side into central lanes remains one of the most reliable patterns in the league. Opponents know the route he takes, yet they still struggle to stop him.
Twenty-nine league goals last season add to a long run of elite output, and his influence in key moments remains strong. Few players match his durability, and even fewer match his decisiveness.
1. Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has reached a level rare for a player of his age. His understanding of space, timing of passes and comfort under pressure make him look like a seasoned professional rather than a teenager.
Barcelona lean heavily on him, and he responds with a level of calm that gives the attack natural rhythm.
He picks the right moments to drop deep, stretch the pitch or drift into the half space. His delivery from the right side carries accuracy far beyond his years, and his confidence in one-v-one situations keeps defenders cautious. Spain rely on him in the same way.
His performances at Euro 2024 showed he plays with a sense of control that is uncommon for someone still growing.
The 2025/26 season continues to reveal new layers to his game. If he maintains this path, he will shape the next era of wide play.
SEE ALSO | Top 10 Clubs with the Most Relegations in Premier League History
