Right Wing Wizards: Ranking the World's Top 25, From Basque Flyers to Turkish Phoenixes

Gone are the days of the proper old-school right winger, glued to the touchline, charging like a steam train and slinging in crosses for fun. Nah, modern tactics have flipped the script. These days, it's all about inverted wingers cutting inside on their lethal left peg, ghosting into pockets, and chipping in with goals and assists like it's no big deal. Flair, brains, and bang – that's the elite standard now.

We've nicked a leaf from SI Soccer's book and ranked the top 25 right wingers ruling the roost. It's a mix of reliables, redemption stories, and hidden gems. Let's crack on, pint in hand.

The Gritty Grinders: 25 to 22

Starting at 25, we've got Iñaki Williams – the Bilbao born-and-bred machine at Athletic Club. While his kid brother Nico grabs the flashier headlines, Iñaki's been a La Liga rock for over a decade. Blistering pace, dogged work rate, and a knack for chipping in goals or teeing up mates. He's not the flashiest scorer, but at 30-odd, he's still got gears and reliability in spades. Ghana international, proper servant.

Up to 24, Antony – remember the £86m flop from Ajax to Man United? The spin moves that became memes, the Sunday league finishes? Brutal. But blimey, a loan at Real Betis in 2025 turned him into a beast: 9 goals, 5 assists in 26 games. Ditched Old Trafford's curse for good, and now he's swaggering again. World still his if he keeps it up.

23 is Iliman Ndiaye, Everton's Senegalese scrapper. From non-league dreams in England to Sheffield United, a Marseille misfire, and now Premier League stardom. Unwavering belief got him here – he's a Toffees talisman, bagging consistently. Proper underdog yarn.

At 22, Francisco Trincão – the Barca wonderkid who flopped at Wolves but's now Sporting CP's Primeira Liga king. 34 goals lately, silky dribbles, cuts inside like a dream despite that left foot. Even notched his first Portugal caps with a double against Denmark in 2025. Underrated? Not for long, mate.

Electric Talents: 21 to 20

21: Leroy Sané, Bayern's nearly-man, now at Galatasaray in 2025. Pace to burn, left foot like a cannon, footwork to die for – when he's on, defenders weep. Injuries and wastefulness held him back, never matching Gnabry or Coman. Turkish Super Lig could be his reset button. Talent's there; consistency's the quest.

Rounding off at 20, Jarrod Bowen, West Ham's skipper and rags-to-riches hero. From Hereford United non-league to Europa Conference League glory. Snapped up from Hull in 2020, he exploded in 2021-22 with 12 goals, 10 assists – hello, England caps. Dependable as they come in the Premier League, wide or central. Hammer heart and soul.

These lads show the right-wing role's evolution: not just wide men, but game-changers. Traditional touchline terrors? Fading fast. The top 19 ahead? Even juicier – creators, scorers, tactical foxes. Who's your pick to crack the top 5? Drop it below.

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