Here’s a list on the very best footballers at the moment operating primarily from the right-hand side. I’ve included wide midfielders, wingers, and forwards.

DISCLAIMER

Before you get into the list do remember that there is a myriad of reasons – many unquantifiable – that go into determining lists like these. Most of these entries might even reflect upon my subjectivity, meaning you might agree with some of my mentions, or none at all. Either way, we’d love to hear from you!

Well then, here we go.

10- Leroy Sané

Age – 25 (11 January 1996)
Country – Germany
Current club – Bayern Munich (1. Bundesliga)

Sané has made a name for himself as one of the most exciting wingers while playing on the left for Man City. He is, however, now starting from the right at Bayern to fill that Arjen Robben-shaped hole. His first year has been just above average so far, but all signs point to a positive future.

9- Riyadh Mahrez

Age – 29 (21 February 1991)
Country – Algeria
Current club – Manchester City (Premier League)

Often, Riyadh Mahrez gets left out of discussions concerning top wingers in football. One of the major players in Leicester City’s title-winning season of 2015-16, Mahrez has been a consistent performer for City since his move in 2018. His passing range, quick dribbling and ability to play multiple positions makes him an ideal Pep Guardiola player.

8- Hakim Ziyech

Age – 27 (19 March 1993)
Country – Morocco
Current club – Chelsea (Premier League)

Of all the players Chelsea bought last summer, Hakim Ziyech should have been a sure and instant success. While he has shown signs of his brilliance that he cultivated during his time in the Netherlands, the 27-year-old is yet to establish himself as one of the stalwarts in Chelsea’s starting line-up. Known for his link-up abilities and passing range, Ziyech offers a lethal presence on the right side of the pitch, where both Lampard and Tuchel have preferred playing him.

7- Ángel Di María

Age – 33 (14 February 1988)
Country – Argentina
Current club – Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 Uber Eats)

The veteran Argentine has been a consistent operator over the last decade, punctuated only by a rather disastrous one year at Manchester United, which while not being statically bad, was still a move that all parties agree should never have materialised.

He might be quite one-footed, but the 33-year-old compensates for it with his remarkable skillset. His longevity can be credited to the fact that he has never had to rely primarily on his pace for him to play well.

6- Jadon Sancho

Age – 20 (25 March 2000)
Country – England
Current club – Borussia Dortmund (1. Bundesliga)

He might not be the first one to do so, but Jadon Sancho has become a trailblazer for young English players to look abroad for senior-team opportunities. At 20, he is already one of the most productive wingers around (43 goals and 57 assists in 126 matches for Borussia Dortmund), with all signs pointing upwards. Having honed his skills in Germany, he is widely expected to return to the Premier League next season.

5- Bernardo Silva

Age – 26 (10 August 1994)
Country – Portugal
Current club – Manchester City (Premier League)

The Portugal international has proved himself to be quite a Swiss Army knife for both club and country. Capable to play from wing-back to false nine, the 26-year-old has been usually deployed on the right-hand side by Pep Guardiola. His deft movement and playmaking abilities makes him quite a silky operator.

4- Josip Ili?i?

Age – 33 (29 January 1988)
Country – Slovenia
Current club – Atalanta (Serie A TIM)

No matter your allegiances, it’s hard to watch Ili?i? play and not be impressed. Despite not being particularly quick or agile, the 33-year-old has managed to combine his experience and quick-thinking to become of the most exciting right-sided forwards over the past couple of years. Usually operating as a right-forward for the Bergamaschi, the Slovenian can also play in the wings and back in the midfield.

3- Serge Gnabry

Age – 25 (14 July 1995)
Country – Germany
Current club – Bayern Munich (1. Bundesliga)

Tony Pulis once found Serge Gnabry surplus to requirements and the young German took it to heart and then some. Having moved back to Germany some four-and-a-half years ago, Gnabry has been nothing short of scintillating. While also able to play on the left and down the middle, the 25-year-old was usually utilised on the right-hand side and was simply explosive during Bayern’s unstoppable imperial march to the Treble last season.

2- Mohamed Salah

Age – 28 (15 June 1992)
Country – Egypt
Current club – Liverpool (Premier League)

Yet another world beater for whom things didn’t work out at Chelsea, Mo Salah’s rise to individual greatness nicely mirrors Liverpool’s resurgence as a European powerhouse since his move to the club in 2017. He could be quite selfish at times, but as long as he continues to be ruthless in front of goal (117 goals for Liverpool in 185 appearances), few can complain.

1- Lionel Messi

Age – 33 (24 June 1987)
Country – Argentina
Current club – FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander)

You know the drill. There’s not a lot that has already not been said about the guy, so I’ll keep things short.
There’s no knowing where Messi will play next season given the summer he had last time, but for now he plays for Barça and he plays wherever he wants! Ronald Koeman has tried playing him as a number nine and as a number ten, but the little magician instinctively occupies the right-forward position. He might have not the stamina to continuously run anymore, but at 33 he understands and continues to adapt his game, remaining one of the scariest prospects for an opposition defender.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Phil Foden (Man City), James Rodríguez (Everton), Lucas Moura (Spurs), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Hirving Lozano (Napoli), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen), Florian Thauvin (Olympique de Marseille).