While many professional footballers can use both feet, most players are naturally right-footed, meaning left-footers are a notable minority
Just as southpaws can be seen as tricky opponents to orthodox fighters in boxing, the fact that the majority of footballers are right-footed means that left-footed players can sometimes enjoy an advantage.
Interestingly, some of the greatest footballers of all time have been left-footed, or at least predominantly so, in addition, of course, to being supremely talented.
Goal takes a look at some of the best left-footed footballers in history.
- Getty
Gareth Bale
While his star has dimmed somewhat, Gareth Bale was undoubtedly one of the best left-footed players in the game. The Welshman exploded onto the scene as a marauding full-back-cum-left-winger at Tottenham before maturing into a star forward at Real Madrid, where he helped the club win four Champions Leagues.
Advertisement
- Getty
Roberto Carlos
Widely regarded as one of the best Brazilian defenders of all time, Roberto Carlos was a flying full-back with an extremely powerful left foot, which he used to his advantage for his national team and Real Madrid. Carlos had a ferocious free kick in his locker, which usually involved a long run-up and a strike with the outside of his fearsome left boot.
- Getty
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs burst onto the scene for Manchester United as a fleet-footed left winger, whose dribbling ability routinely turned defenders inside out. The 'Welsh Wizard', as he was sometimes known, was a mainstay on the left flank for Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Red Devils teams before adapting to a more central role as he got older.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
- gettyimages
Gheorghe Hagi
Gheorghe Hagi, the greatest Romanian player of all time, was a left-footer and his prowess was such that he routinely drew comparisons to Diego Maradona. A squat playmaker, Hagi lined out for both Real Madrid and Barcelona during his career, having burst through as a stylish number 10 at Steaua Bucharest.