La Liga: The Top 5 Wingers in the League Right Now

The best thing to do when compiling lists such as this is accept that not every winger is going to be identical. It often comes down to their current team and the style employed by the manager. Often, we’re offered up a situation where central players have been moved out wide, central strikers providing width and, as is natural, vice versa.

As an example, how would you classify Thomas Muller? On paper he’s a winger, but he possesses none of the traits that would make him fit comfortably into that bracket. His goal-scoring exploits and general efficiency in the box would point towards a natural centre-forward, but he isn’t one of those either.

So for this list, regardless of how each player is classified, here’s a rundown of the best of those who have performed from wide positions.

Neymar

An ambiguous one. Is Neymar a winger or a forward at Barcelona? The Brazilian plays on the left side, but Barca’s is a forward line that is becoming notably narrow under Luis Enrique. One way or another, Neymar’s form—irrespective of Barcelona’s as a whole in recent weeks—has been especially good this season; in front of goal at least.

The Brazilian can be criticised for his lack of work rate; it isn’t in his nature to track back or close down opposition defenders as players did while Pep Guardiola was manager at the Camp Nou.

But Neymar has clearly developed a productive on-pitch partnership with Lionel Messi this season. Prior to the involvement of Luis Suarez—which may only be coincidental with Barca’s back-to-back losses in the league—Neymar had established himself as the most clinical in front of goal at the club.

Pablo Piatti

Pablo Piatti isn’t as high-profile as the other names on this list, but the Valencia man deserves a mention for his and his side’s good form this season.

Valencia look to be on their way back into the top four in La Liga—a position many feel they deserve considering their status—and Piatti has been excellent on the left wing of Nuno Espirito Santo’s team.

Such has been the effectiveness of Valencia’s front three, which also includes Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo, that it’s difficult to see how loan signing Alvaro Negredo fits in. It would be hugely unkind to leave any of the current three regulars out.

Koke

It would be remiss to leave Koke off this list, as although the Atletico Madrid man doesn’t conform to the stereotypical description of a winger, he plays mostly from the left of Atletico’s attack and has become hugely influential this season.

With Atletico, it’s another example of a club and a group of players who don’t use wingers in the manner expected. Antoine Griezmann, previously Real Sociedad’s left-sided attacker, now plays more centrally at the Vicente Calderon, while Koke (left) and Arda Turan (right) are absolutely comfortable with central roles, and do look to play through the middle while in possession.

Despite not reaching the glamorous heights of Real Madrid or Barcelona, Atletico do have their own stars. for now, though, Koke and his seven assists in 10 Liga games have him as one of Spain’s absolute best.

Nolito

There is nothing incongruous about Nolito’s name in this list of the best wingers currently performing in La Liga. Just as Celta Vigo have shot up the standings and deserve their sixth-place position, Nolito deserves to be mentioned due to his excellent work so far this season.

Nolito was one of the standout performers when Celta went to the Camp Nou last weekend and left with all three points, the 28-year-old providing the assist in a 1-0 win.

He’s helped himself to five goals in the league this season and provided a further five for his teammates. Last season, the Spaniard scored 14 times in the league, proving his form of this campaign is no fluke.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t a winger (he really hasn’t been described as one in all the time he’s been at Real Madrid; he’s rather simply a forward), but considering his position in the team, and due to the modern ambiguity surrounding the role, Ronaldo naturally makes the list.

The Portuguese flyer has had an incredible season thus far, scoring 17 league goals already, while he’s just one off matching Raul’s (and Messi's) 71 goals in the Champions League.

Having finally won the European Cup last season, Ronaldo is considered favourite to retain the Ballon d’Or later this year.