If there’s one thing an average footballer crave for, it’s the ability to play with both feet (two-footed) effectively on the pitch. And while a player can be more than exciting to watch as a one-footed player, Ambidexterity adds more value and respect to the player.
Two-footed players can pass, dribble and shoot from anywhere with either foot. It also helps them get out of pressure situations and create more out of every opportunity possible. They are most times a nightmare for opposing defenses because they can play on either side with equal vigor and effectiveness.
Not all football players possess this intimidating quality. As a matter of fact, two-footed footballers are not common in the footballing world but the few that are around are in their own class.
While the debate about who is the world’s best player continues to divide football fans throughout the world, it’s time to take a look at players in modern football that are the most comfortable at using both feet (two-footed).
- Simone Verdi (Torino And Italy)
The Italian forward is one of the unpopular two-footed football players. However, he made history in the 2017/2018 season of the Italian Serie A while he was at Bologna which brought about his comparison with one of the ambidextrous greats, Santi Carzola.
The match was against Crotone. He scored one free-kick with his left foot and one free-kick with his right foot in a matter of seven minutes to break a record set by one Maverick in the 2004/2005 season in the Italian Top flight.
- Hernanes (São Paulo And Brazil)
Hernanes was adored at every club he represented in Europe before moving back to the Brazilian league. And this is largely due to his superb ability to take free-kicks, deliver amazing passes, and shots.
While at Sao Paolo, the Brazilian midfielder just like Simone Verdi also managed to score two free-kicks with each foot in the same game. While he didn’t manage to reach the heights that people predicted, there is no doubt about his ability to use both feet — and he can even play on all fours!
At Juve in 2009, the exceptionally gifted midfielder was named on The Times’ list of promising footballers.
- Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona And France)
Even though his constant niggling injury has ripped the World Cup winner of more playing time for club and country, he’s sure one of the rare two-footed players in the football world.
The young Frenchman is equally adept with both feet and this gives him the license to play on either wing. Dembele considers himself left-footed, but passes, shoots, and even takes penalties with his right foot. There’s no better way to exhibit a high level of confidence.
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However, despite having a large number of his career nursing injuries, of his 90 games for both country and club, he has managed to net 23 goals, out of which 12 goals are from his right foot, while he scored 10 times with his left foot.
Recall his first Barcelona goal was a rasping half-volley with his left foot and his best goal till date was a ballistic drive with the right foot against Sevilla.
- Pedro Rodriguez (Roma And Spain)
A quick, versatile, and intelligent two-footed forward, Pedro usually plays as a left-winger, although he is capable of playing on either flank, as well as in several other positions in both attack and midfield.
During his time at Chelsea, defenders are always wary of the Spaniard due to his unpredictability of shooting with either foot while on the ball. Pedro scored some decisive screamers with either peg – a feat which made him more popular in England.
He left the West London side shortly at the end of the COVID-19 hit season for free to become a Roma player.
- Ivan Perisiç (Bayern Munich And Croatia)
He’s been notorious for passing, shooting, and delivering set-pieces with both feet right from his days at Inter Milan.
Perisiç is naturally right-footed but had to work and improve on his weaker foot (left foot) and today, he’s one of the biggest weapons in Bayern Munich and Croatia’s enviable arsenal.
He scored a powerful left-footed shot in Bayern’s 8-2 annihilation of Barcelona in the Quarterfinals of the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League. And not to forget his left-footed shot in the finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2018 against France.
- Adriano Correia
The former Sevilla and Barcelona left-back or right-back is the most naturally two-footed player. He currently plies his trade with Club Athletico Paranaense in Brazil after a successful stint in Europe.
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Adriano can play on either side of the full-back/wing-back positions or in midfield keeps thriving because of his versatility. Although goalscoring isn’t his primary objective, so we can spare him the criticism that comes with that. However, he scored a stunning long-ranger against Atletico Madrid with his left, and another volley with his right against Valencia.
- Santi Carzola (Al Sadd and Spain)
Carzola is definitely one of a small band of TRULY players and arguably the best of them.
He’s a very hard-working, diminutive, and the highly technical two-footed player who primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger on either side of the pitch, as a central midfielder, or even as a deep-lying playmaker.
Basically, it’s impossible to detect which foot the Spanish midfielder is more comfortable with.
Shortly after he was signed for Arsenal in 2012, Arsene Wenger revealed that he had no idea which foot was the Spaniard’s strongest because he plays corner-kicks and free-kicks with both feet.
Despite the fact that he’s an injury-prone player, his ambidexterity is perhaps second to none. He made the move to Qatar’s Al Sadd shortly after the appointment of Unai Emery at Villarreal.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus And Portugal)
Well, as the Messi vs Ronaldo argument continues to rumble on, there is only one winner when it comes to using both feet.
Ronaldo is considered by many as one of the greatest players to ever bestow their magic on the football field, as well as one of the most complete attackers ever.
The Portuguese and Juventus ace has made a colorful career from scoring goals with both feet and whilst his right foot may be his stronger peg, there would be many professional footballers who would wish to have his left foot.
The 5-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 214 goals from his left and 209 goals from the right side of the field, which tells everything about his prowess on either side of the wings. Ronaldo has notched 138 goals from the center of the field, 283 from the six-yard box, 97 goals from 18 yards out whereas 43 goals from long-distance shots.
Quite phenomenal
Bonus
- Mason Greenwood
The Englishman inclusion might stir up some debate, especially for those who have barely seen him play. The 18-year-old is in sparkling form, with seven goals in all senior competitions, a record bettered only by Marcus Rashford this season.
Manchester United’s latest academy youngster is at his best when playing either as a striker or on the right side of the attack. Greenwood scored a right-footed spot-kick in a penalty shootout against Rochdale in the EFL Cup earlier this season, a clear indication of his preferred foot.
But six of his seven strikes in open play have come from his left boot.30 of his goals, 15 were with his supposed weak right foot while scoring 14 with his left.
Agree or disagree with any of these picks? Comment below and share your ideas.
