Left-footed football players are a rarity in the game, with the sport being primarily dominated by right-footed stars, and quality left-footers are often seen as a luxury.
However, the few who had made it to the top of the game have dazzled the opposition and provided some of the greatest moments ever in the sport. Some of the greatest dribblers, technicians and entertainers have been heavily left-footed.
Here, we look back at some of the most legendary left-footed stars to grace the football pitch.
Diego Maradona
Regarded as one of the greatest-ever footballers, Diego Maradona was a magical player. The Argentinian star had a reputation for feinting past opposition and scoring with his left foot.
At a time when pitches were uneven, and when the opposition would try to hack down fast players, Maradona’s left-footed control and class stood out. Countless times, Maradona dribbled past opponents and struck into the net with his left – a skill he relied on heavily.
He was even able to produce such quality on the biggest of footballing stages. In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, Maradona dribbled past five English players before tapping into the goal. Every Maradona touch in what is widely known as the ‘greatest goal of all-time was taken with his left foot.
Lionel Messi
Maradona’s Argentina compatriot Lionel Messi is another once-in-a-generation left-footed great. Like Maradona, Messi had the control, trickery, and power to score hundreds of career goals at the highest level for Barcelona, Argentina, and Paris St Germain. Getting to witness Messi live and in the flesh from one of the VIP boxes must be exhilarating, but incredibly expensive. However not all VIP activities are reserved for the elite, as there those such as the Platinclub VIP Program. Although whatever the case, whether you are watching him live or from behind a screen, everyone can agree that he is one of, if not the best footballers to play the beautiful game. Throughout his career, Messi has scored a huge variety of goal types. From the mazy solo runs past half of the opposition team to free-kicks and long-range strikes, Messi has produced spectacular moments with his left foot.
Although, in his advanced years, Messi has taken a less direct and attacking role, particularly at PSG. Now Messi more often displays expert vision and passing range in a playmaker position, but still showcases the sensational ability to control the game, most with his left foot.
Johan Cruyff
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff was a top-tier footballer who regularly displayed intelligence and perfect technical ability. Cruyff’s ability to use both feet fooled many fans and opposition into thinking he was predominantly right-footed. However, he was naturally a left-footed player.
One of Cruyff’s strengths was the willingness to try the unexpected to catch out the opposition. Using his graceful touch and vision, Cruyff could take on opponents and often pick the correct pass. It was this footballing innovation that led Cruyff to produce one of the most well-known modern skills – the Cruyff turn.
In the 1974 FIFA World Cup game against Sweden, Cruyff was forced into an unthreatening position near the corner flag by defender Jan Olsson. With nowhere to go and faced away from the goal, Cruyff used his left foot to drag the ball beside his standing leg to leave Jan Olsson stunned.
The left-footed trickery mesmerised the crowd, and Cruyff invented one of the most well-known pieces of skill in football history.