The modern right winger must do far more than hug the touchline. Elite wide players combine pace, creativity, goals, and relentless work rate. They also possess the quality to decide the biggest matches. Whether cutting inside or stretching defences, today’s best right wingers shape games at the highest level.
Like our best left wingers list, this ranking reflects performances, consistency, overall ability, and impact throughout the 2025/26 season. It also considers each player’s standing in the early stages of the 2026/27 campaign.
15. Iñaki Williams
Iñaki Williams has been a dependable attacking presence for Athletic Club for years, combining pace, power and relentless work rate. The Ghana international can play across the frontline, but his speed and direct running make him particularly effective on the right wing.
Williams is at his most dangerous when he has space to attack. His acceleration allows him to get behind defenders, while his strength helps him hold off challenges and carry the ball into dangerous areas. He is also effective on the counterattack, turning defensive recoveries into dangerous forward runs.
Although his finishing and final ball can be inconsistent, Williams offers more than goals and assists. His movement creates space for teammates, and his willingness to work for the team makes him valuable tactically. At 32, he may not have the same explosive edge as younger wingers, but his experience, versatility and direct style still make him a useful attacking option.
14. Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto has established himself as an exciting attacking option for Chelsea, combining explosive speed with the technical ability to trouble defenders one-on-one. The Portugal international can operate on either wing, while his left foot makes him dangerous when cutting inside from the right.
Neto’s greatest strength is his acceleration. He changes direction quickly, carries the ball at pace and can turn an ordinary possession into a dangerous attack. He also delivers accurate crosses and creates chances for teammates, while his growing goalscoring threat makes him more than a traditional winger.
His versatility is another major advantage. Neto can switch flanks, attack space behind the defensive line or move into central areas when required. Consistency and decision-making remain important areas for improvement, but his speed, creativity and attacking intent make him a dangerous wide player.
13. Noni Madueke
Noni Madueke has developed into a dangerous right winger thanks to his dribbling ability, acceleration and confidence when taking on defenders. After making his name at Chelsea, the England international joined Arsenal in 2025, giving Mikel Arteta another option in the wide attacking positions.
Madueke is particularly effective when receiving the ball on the right. He uses quick footwork, sharp changes of direction and close control to create room for a shot or cross. A naturally left-footed attacker, he often cuts inside to threaten goal, but can also drive towards the byline and stretch opposition defences.
At Arsenal, competition for places means he must make the most of his opportunities, but his individual quality makes him a valuable option, and we are starting to see an improvement in his game. Still in his mid-twenties, Madueke has the pace, technique and confidence to become an increasingly influential winger.
12. Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus remains one of the most unpredictable attacking players in world football. Since moving to Tottenham Hotspur, the Ghanaian has continued to show why he is such a dangerous right winger. Comfortable across the frontline, Kudus is at his best cutting inside from the right, where his strength, close control and powerful left foot cause constant problems.
His ability to beat defenders one-on-one is among the best in the Premier League. Explosive acceleration and superb balance allow him to glide past challenges before driving towards goal. He can also score from distance or create chances through clever link-up play and incisive passing.
Greater consistency in front of goal could see Kudus climb higher in future rankings. However, his versatility, physicality and technical ability already make him one of the best right wingers in the world right now.
11. Rayan
Rayan is one of the exciting young attacking talents to emerge from Brazilian football. After making his breakthrough at Vasco da Gama, the forward joined Bournemouth in January 2026 to continue his development in the Premier League. Although he can play as a centre-forward, his ability to operate on the right and cut inside onto his stronger left foot makes him an intriguing winger.
Unlike more diminutive, trick-focused attackers, Rayan combines technical ability with impressive physical strength. He can power past defenders, protect the ball under pressure and unleash powerful shots from distance. His aerial ability adds another dimension, while his versatility allows him to contribute in different attacking roles.
At 20, Rayan is still developing. His decision-making and link-up play have room to improve, but his combination of power, left-footed finishing and positional versatility gives him considerable potential. If he continues to progress at Bournemouth, he could climb much higher in future rankings of the world’s best right wingers.
10. Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic didn’t quite reach the heights many expected of him at Chelsea, but his performances since joining AC Milan in 2023 have been excellent. The American can line up on either wing or through the middle as a Number 10, but primarily plays on the right for Milan.
Pulisic combines explosive acceleration with excellent close control, making him particularly dangerous when driving at defenders. His movement off the ball is another major strength, allowing him to find space in the final third and arrive in dangerous positions. He has also developed into a more reliable goalscorer and creator since moving to Serie A.
His versatility makes him especially valuable, while his experience at both club and international level gives him the maturity to perform under pressure. Pulisic is in his prime right now and is proving he is one of the best right wingers in the world.
9. Lionel Messi
At 39, Lionel Messi continues to defy expectations. While he no longer dominates matches through constant dribbling, his football intelligence, passing range and ability to produce decisive moments remain exceptional. He continues to influence games for Inter Miami and Argentina.
Messi now plays a more measured role, often drifting centrally to dictate attacks before producing moments of brilliance with his left foot. His vision remains extraordinary, regularly unlocking defences with passes few others would attempt. Despite losing some pace, his close control and composure remain elite.
There are more explosive right wingers in today’s game, but few can influence matches like Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains capable of deciding major occasions with one magical moment. He remains one of the best midfielders in the world right now, although he primarily operates from the right.
8. Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo has completed one of the Premier League’s most impressive rises. After starring for Brentford, the Cameroon international earned a move to Manchester United and quickly established himself as one of their key attacking players. His consistency, versatility and work rate make him a standout right winger.
Mbeumo offers far more than goals and assists. Intelligent pressing, relentless running and a willingness to track back make him valuable without the ball. His powerful left foot, clever movement and ability to drift into dangerous areas consistently threaten opposition defences.
Although primarily deployed as a winger, Mbeumo can also operate effectively as a centre-forward. Having proven himself at Brentford and Manchester United, he now has the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Champions League in 2026/27. Further success on Europe’s biggest stage could propel the 27-year-old to even greater heights.
7. Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres enjoyed the finest season of his career in 2025/26, playing an important role as Barcelona won La Liga. His biggest achievement came with Spain, as he scored the winning goal in the 2026 World Cup final. His movement, positioning and improved finishing have made him effective from the right or through the middle.
Unlike many wingers, Torres relies less on flair and more on intelligent movement. He constantly finds dangerous pockets of space, makes clever runs behind defences and arrives inside the box at the right moment. His improved finishing has turned him into a reliable goalscorer as well as a creator.
Now entering his prime, Torres has developed into a versatile and intelligent attacker. His ability to operate as a winger or centre-forward makes him a valuable option at both club and international level.
6. Rodrygo
Rodrygo remains one of the most technically gifted attackers in world football. Although he often shares the spotlight with Real Madrid’s other superstars, the Brazilian consistently delivers when given the opportunity. Comfortable on either wing or through the middle, he is particularly dangerous cutting inside from the right.
His close control, composure and movement between the lines are among his biggest strengths. Rodrygo excels in tight spaces, using quick feet to escape defenders before creating opportunities. He also has a knack for scoring important goals, particularly in the Champions League.
An injury-plagued 2026 campaign saw him miss significant time, but his proven quality means he can quickly return to his best. At 25, Rodrygo still has plenty of room to improve. Greater consistency and increased responsibility could see him challenge for a place among the world’s very best wide players.
5. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah may be approaching the latter stages of his career, but he remains one of the world’s best right wingers. The Liverpool legend has consistently produced elite numbers, combining remarkable longevity with an extraordinary eye for goal.
Salah’s greatest strength is his efficiency. Rather than relying on flashy skills, he combines explosive acceleration, close control and intelligent movement to create chances from seemingly nothing. Whether cutting inside onto his left foot, bursting behind defenders or finishing from difficult positions, he has repeatedly found ways to score.
That ruthless end product helped make Salah Liverpool’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer and one of the competition’s highest scorers. His creativity and consistent goals and assists have made him one of the defining players of his generation. Although younger stars are beginning to challenge him, Salah’s longevity and production keep him among the elite.
4. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has developed into one of the most complete wingers in world football. The Arsenal star continues to improve, combining elite creativity with impressive goalscoring numbers. Despite occasional injuries, Saka remains one of Arsenal’s most important attacking players and a key figure for England.
His decision-making separates him from many other wingers. Saka rarely forces situations, instead choosing the right moment to dribble, pass or shoot. His left foot produces dangerous crosses, defence-splitting passes and precise finishes, while his work rate makes him equally valuable without the ball.
At 24, Saka is entering his peak years. Arsenal’s 2026 Premier League title has only increased expectations, and 2026/27 could be another major campaign for the Hale End graduate. His consistency at club and international level suggests he will remain among the world’s best for years to come. He could eventually join the ranks of the best Arsenal players of all time.
3. Désiré Doué
Paris Saint-Germain have established themselves among Europe’s elite, and Désiré Doué has played a major role in their recent success. The 21-year-old has developed into one of the most exciting attacking talents in world football since joining from Rennes, delivering impressive performances on the biggest stages.
Doué combines outstanding technical ability with explosive athleticism. He is fearless when attacking defenders, capable of beating opponents on either side while remaining composed in the final third. His improving goalscoring record complements his creativity, while his ability to perform in high-pressure matches has quickly enhanced his reputation.
The French international still has enormous room for improvement, which makes his potential particularly exciting. Already one of the world’s most dangerous young right wingers, Doué appears destined to become one of the defining attackers of his generation.
2. Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has already established himself as one of the most feared attackers in world football. After breaking into Barcelona’s first team as a teenager, the La Masia graduate has developed into a key player for club and country, winning major honours with Barcelona and starring for Spain at the 2026 World Cup.
Yamal possesses exceptional technical ability. His close control, balance and lightning-quick feet make him extremely difficult to stop one-on-one. Equally comfortable staying wide or drifting centrally, he creates chances consistently while also posing a significant goalscoring threat.
His vision, composure and decision-making continue to improve, remarkable considering his age. There is every chance Yamal eventually becomes the best player in the world, but he narrowly misses out on the top spot here. His maturity and ability to perform on the biggest stages have already established him among football’s elite, with much more still to come.
1. Michael Olise
Michael Olise tops our list of the best right wingers in the world. The Bayern Munich forward enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, finishing with 34 goal contributions in 32 league appearances as Bayern won a domestic double.
Olise is a magician with the ball at his feet. His close control, balance and deceptive change of pace allow him to glide past defenders before delivering dangerous crosses or cutting inside onto his favoured left foot.
However, he offers much more than dribbling. Olise possesses outstanding vision and passing ability, regularly creating chances with defence-splitting passes and perfectly weighted crosses. His finishing has also improved, making him a genuine threat as both a scorer and creator for the best striker in the world, Harry Kane.
At 24, Olise is entering his prime and already looks capable of becoming one of his generation’s defining attackers. There is no doubt that he deserves his place at the top of the list of the best right wingers in the world.
