Maradona To Messi: Top Left-Footed Footballers Who Have Played FIFA World Cup Finals
FIFA World Cup: Do left-footed players have an edge over right-footed ones? Yes, says a study, and concludes that such players are more creative and have an extra dose of unpredictability.
It was a spectacular evening when Argentina Forward and legendary footballer Lionel Messi scored a left-footed penalty goal and set up a mesmerising right-footed assist from a tight angle to his striker partner Julian Alvarez in front of boisterous Argentine fans at Lusail Stadium. What made the assist miraculous? Actually many things — the long dribble, releasing the ball from a tight angle, a perfect pass and most importantly it was a right-footed release by a left-footed player.
Do left-footed footballers have an edge over right-footed players? Yes, says a study conducted in 2013 by the universities of Oxford, St Andrews and Bristol, in association with several Australian institutions. The study concludes that players favouring their left foot are more creative and have an extra dose of unpredictability — the wizardry of the likes of Late Diego Maradona, Ryan Giggs, Christian "Bobo" Vieri, Lionel Messi, David Silva, Mesut Ozil, Gareth Bale, et al.
Left-footed players can also bring good balance to the team. However, only 1 out of 5 players is predominantly off-footed.
Lionel Messi is one of them. Argentina defeated Croatia in a lopsided affair 3-0 with Messi involved in two goals that fired the South American nation into the summit clash in Qatar 2022.
Left-Footed Players Who Have Played World Cup Final
Lionel Messi (2022): The Argentine ace defied world's best teams and best footballers in Qatar. Of the 11 goals in 25 matches, Messi found the back of the net five times and three assists.
Mesut Ozil (2014): The midfielder was part of the World Cup-winning German team in 2014, as Miroslav Klose, Thomas Mueller and Mats Hummels heroics inspired Joachim Low's side to glory.
Rivaldo (2002): The lanky Brazilian midfielder powered the South American juggernauts to World Cup final in 2002. The left-footed midfielder scored 5 crucial goals. He scored goals in each and every match till the quarterfinals.
Diego Maradona (1986): The 5 ft 6 inch Argentine was involved in 10 goals — 5 goals and 5 assists — in the World Cup-winning 1986 outing. Maradona single-handedly fired the nation to win the coveted cup.
Daniel Passarella (1978): The Argentina centre-back, a left-footed player, led his team to the first World Cup victory for the country, in 1978.
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