most left footed goals

The left foot is one of the most formidable weapons in football history, creating great moments and contributing to the illustrious careers of many legends. From Roberto Carlos's amazing free kicks, Arjen Robben's unpredictable trickery, to Lionel Messi's absolute precision, the left foot is not only a tool for scoring goals but also a symbol of talent and style. Below is a list of the players who have scored the most goals with their left foot that Win Betting Tips has listed. A testament to their unique power and timeless influence.

Top 10 most left footed goals

10. Hristo Stoichkov

Career: 1981 - 2003

Hristo Stoichkov, the famous Bulgarian midfielder, was known for his magical left foot. He could unleash powerful shots or execute free kicks with great technique, making every defense wary. With his stamina and excellent touch, Stoichkov was always the center of attention on the pitch. In the 1990s, he was a shining star in the legendary Barcelona team, under the guidance of coach Johan Cruyff. Along with great players such as Ronald Koeman, Michael Laudrup and Romario, Stoichkov played a major role in leading Barcelona to the 1992 European Cup at Wembley.

On the international stage, Stoichkov was an icon of Bulgarian football. At the 1994 World Cup, he led the team to a miracle by reaching the semi-finals, one of the greatest achievements in the history of the country's football. Most memorable was his wonderful free kick in the quarter-final, helping Bulgaria defeat the defending champions Germany. Stoichkov not only shone with his goals but also left a strong mark with his uncompromising fighting spirit.

9. Arjen Robben

Time in service: 2000 - 2021

Arjen Robben, the Dutch winger, has a signature move that the entire football world knows: he cuts the ball in from the right wing, beats one or two opponents, and then shoots a powerful left-footed shot into the net. The special thing is that although everyone knows he will do it, stopping it is a completely different story. With his technical brilliance, Robben leaves defenders helpless even if they know his intentions. He plays mainly with his left foot, and although he relies on it quite a lot, the incredible efficiency makes Robben continue to use this weapon constantly.

The peak of Robben's career was at Bayern Munich. Here, he turned his dribbling from the right wing into his own trademark, constantly making a difference on the pitch. In 2013, Robben contributed greatly to Bayern's historic treble, most notably the Champions League title. He scored the decisive goal in the final, affirming his class and danger in Europe's biggest arena.

8. Mo Salah

Career Time: 2010 - Present

In April 2018, Mohamed Salah made Premier League history by setting a record for the most goals scored with his left foot, surpassing the legendary Robbie Fowler. This milestone was set with two goals against Leeds, taking his total with his left foot to 106. Since then, Salah has continued to break the record and now has 173 goals with his left foot in the Premier League, a testament to the Egyptian's excellent scoring ability.

Salah has played an irreplaceable role in Liverpool's success. He was a key factor in the team's 2020 Premier League title win, ending a 30-year title drought. A year earlier, Salah also shone in the Champions League final against Tottenham, scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot, helping the "Reds" to win the prestigious trophy. To this day, Salah remains at his peak, turning his left foot into a nightmare for every defender.

7. Gheorghe Hagi

Career Period: 1982-2001

Known as the "Maradona of the Carpathians," Gheorghe Hagi was the greatest icon of Romanian football in the 1990s and is widely considered the greatest player the country has ever produced. With his ingenious creativity, Hagi not only created but also scored goals from unlikely situations. This special ability was clearly demonstrated at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where he scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of the tournament.

In a match against Colombia, Hagi received the ball on the left wing, about 15 yards from the corner of the penalty area. From a tight angle, he fired a precise shot that flew straight into the net, leaving the Colombian goalkeeper no time to react. The goal not only helped Romania win the match but also paved the way for them to advance to the quarterfinals, the most impressive achievement by a national team at a World Cup. With his outstanding performances, Hagi is not only the pride of Romania but also an inspiration for football fans around the world.

6. Roberto Rivelino

Career Period: 1965-1981

Rivelino, the Brazilian football superstar, was notable not only for his impressive moustache but also for his incredible left foot. His excellent free-kick ability was enough to make Pele give up the task of taking set-pieces, a testament to his superb technique and great strength. As part of the legendary Brazilian squad at the 1970 World Cup, Rivelino played alongside greats such as Pele, Gerson, Tostao and Jairzinho, forming an iconic attack.

Rivelino possessed a powerful attacking ability with accurate left-footed shots. Not only was he a formidable striker, he was also excellent at dribbling and passing, always captivating fans with his artistic style of play. Rivelino's style epitomized the Brazilian player of the 1970s, symbolizing creativity, technique and joy of playing. He was one of the building blocks of Brazil's international reputation.

5. Gareth Bale

Time in service: 2006-2023

Gareth Bale, despite being Welsh, is always mentioned in the debate about the greatest players in British football. As the talisman of the national team, he played a key role in Wales' historic run to Euro 2016, their first international tournament since the 1958 World Cup. Bale shone in this tournament, helping the small team reach the semi-finals, asserting his position on the European football stage.

At club level, Bale reached the peak of his career with Real Madrid. He won many trophies, especially the Champions League, where he scored three goals in the final. The most memorable moment was his spectacular bicycle kick against Liverpool in the 2018 final, which made history. As well as being a goalscorer, Bale is also known for his incredible pace and excellent free-kick ability. One of his standout performances was when he dribbled past veteran defender Maicon in Tottenham's 3-1 win over Inter Milan, turning his left foot into a nightmare for defenders.

4. Roberto Carlos

Career: 1991-2016

Left-back Roberto Carlos is one of the greatest players of all time, best known for his legendary free-kick in 1997 against France. His free-kick had such a curve and spin that it left French goalkeeper Fabian Barthez watching as it flew into the net, a move that many consider to be the greatest free-kick in history. Carlos was an integral part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning side, playing alongside stars such as Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, creating a legendary side.

In addition to his international success, Roberto Carlos has also made a huge impact at club level, particularly with Real Madrid, where he has won numerous trophies, including the Champions League. This achievement for Real Madrid comes more than 30 years after the club's last triumph. Despite being a defender, Carlos has been honored with individual awards, finishing second in the 2002 Ballon d'Or race, behind only Brazilian teammate Ronaldo, and also second in the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1997. These achievements confirm Carlos' status as one of the greatest defenders in football history.

3. Ferenc Puskas

Career: 1943-1966

Big, portly, some even dared to call the great Hungarian fat later in life, but what he always had was a wicked left foot. Think about it, he didn't join Real Madrid until he was 31. Before that, the Galloping Major, as Puskas was known, spent his prolific career scoring goals for Budapest Honved. The record is inconclusive, but it's estimated he scored over 350 goals for the club.

His record at Real Madrid is better documented and just as impressive, with Puskas being La Liga's top scorer on four occasions. Footage from 1953 of him using his left foot to pull the ball back into the box, completely fooling England captain Billy Wright, before scoring his famous goal, shows just how nimble that left foot was. That era was blessed with a great Hungarian team, which came very close to winning the 1954 World Cup.

2. Diego Maradona

Career Period: 1976-1997

Diego Maradona loved his left foot when dribbling, and why not, when it was such a devastating weapon. Gifted with the ability to turn opponents around, whether through a zigzag run or a through-ball pass, Maradona’s left foot, often adorned with a pair of Puma football boots, was feared by the footballing world, as seen on the world stage when he ran from the halfway line to tear England apart with a goal against them in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, establishing him as one of the greatest dribblers of all time.

Diego Maradona was particularly dangerous with free kicks. Goalkeepers often struggled to find the defensive wall, but Maradona had the ability to put the ball in places they couldn’t reach. During his time at Napoli, he produced a series of fantastic free kicks that left opponents baffled. Maradona was able to control the ball so that it flew in the desired direction with his superb technique. His free kicks were a constant threat to any goalkeeper.

1. Lionel Messi

Career Length: 2003-Present

To some, it may seem sacrilegious to rank Lionel Messi above Diego Maradona, but while Maradona’s story is an incredibly fascinating one and his talent and achievements with Argentina and especially Napoli are spectacular, you can’t underestimate Messi’s amazing left foot and the number of times he has used it over such a long period of time. To put this into context, he has scored 453 goals with his left foot in 341 games to date, 117 of which have been decisive. And that’s just club football.

Of course, that’s just a measure of his left-footed goalscoring ability. Messi still has a great ability to create chances for teammates with his left foot, before we even get to his more recent penalty kick technique, where he simply waits for the goalkeeper to make a move before, more often than not, swiping the ball into the net. When assessing Messi’s ability, longevity and record in the game, there is no denying who has the best left foot in the game.

Conclusion

Players with excellent left feet have left an indelible mark on football history, not only with their impressive number of goals but also with their creativity and unique playing style. From Roberto Carlos's classy free kicks, Diego Maradona's superb dribbling skills, to Lionel Messi's all-round ability, they have redefined the concept of talent and character on the pitch. Although each has their own journey and style, the biggest thing they have in common is the ability to turn their left foot into a tool to create miracles. These legends will forever be remembered as immortal icons of the king of sports.