Top 10 best two-footed players of all time: Pelé and Johan Cruyff head the list

Over more than 100 years of modern football, left-footed players have already been relatively rare, let alone those who can use both feet equally well. Ambidextrous players enjoy clear advantages over one-footed players, from ball control and shooting to passing and movement. For that reason, two-footed players are considered rare gems, and many of them have gone on to become legends. This article from livescorecz.net lists the best two-footed players of all time.

Top 10 best two-footed players of all time

This list is compiled based on various criteria, and reflects the writer’s personal opinion.

10. Zinedine Zidane

Widely regarded as one of the greatest attacking midfielders in football history, Zidane possessed an incredibly complete skill set. His ball control was exceptional, while his passing, dribbling, and shooting were all near perfect. Zidane could strike powerfully with both feet, producing iconic moments such as his famous left-footed volley in the 2002 Champions League final, a clear example of his mastery of both feet.

9. Paolo Maldini

A rare example of a truly ambidextrous defender, Maldini’s two-footed ability is often overlooked. His comfort on the ball with either foot allowed him to play both as a center-back and a left-back with ease. Combined with his outstanding defensive qualities, such as reading the game and making clean interceptions, this versatility helped cement his status as one of the greatest defenders in football history.

8. George Best

George Best is considered one of the most naturally gifted players of all time. His greatest strengths were his pace, agility, and dribbling ability, which made him unpredictable for defenders. He was also extremely comfortable using both feet in tight spaces. Unfortunately, his brilliant career was cut short by off-field issues, particularly alcoholism.

7. Ruud Gullit

A Ballon d’Or winner in 1987, Ruud Gullit got an ideal physique for football. Standing over 1.9m tall but not overly bulky, he combined strength with speed and technical ability. Gullit was also comfortable using both feet and had excellent finishing skills. As a result, he was one of the most versatile players of his era, capable of playing in almost any position except goalkeeper.

6. Alfredo Di Stéfano

Although he played in an earlier era, Alfredo Di Stéfano remains one of the greatest players in football history. At a time when the game was less developed tactically and physically, an ambidextrous player like Di Stéfano posed huge problems for opponents. He could decide matches on his own and was also a natural leader, playing a crucial role in Real Madrid’s European dominance during the 1950s and 1960s.

5. Diego Maradona

While Maradona was not primarily known for powerful two-footed shooting, his ambidexterity was evident in his extraordinary dribbling. With a strong, compact physique and superb ball control, Maradona used rapid touches and sharp changes of direction with both feet to glide past defenders. Combined with his balance, this made him almost impossible to stop without fouling him.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo

According to official statistics, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a significant number of goals with his weaker foot, underlining his two-footed ability. His physical attributes, speed, and technical skills have been refined through relentless training over many years. Ronaldo’s ability to use both feet effectively is a result of constant improvement, helping him maintain elite performance for an exceptionally long period.

3. Ronaldo Nazário

This list would be incomplete without Ronaldo Nazário, often regarded as the most complete striker in football history. He was equally strong with both feet and combined this with classic Brazilian technique. His speed, dribbling, finishing, and movement allowed him to score over 300 goals in his career. He also won three FIFA Player of the Year awards and two Ballon d’Or titles.

2. Pelé

Another Brazilian legend, Pelé is the only player to have won three World Cups. Despite not having an imposing height, he possessed powerful and accurate shooting with both feet. Pelé could score from almost any position, inside or outside the penalty area, and his unpredictability made it extremely difficult for defenders and goalkeepers to anticipate which foot he would use.

1. Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff fully deserves to be regarded as a footballing genius. He could dribble, pass, and shoot with either foot, making him incredibly difficult to defend against. His technical brilliance, including the famous “Cruyff Turn,” troubled countless opponents. Beyond his playing ability, Cruyff’s intelligence helped shape modern football philosophy, influencing generations of players and coaches.

So, LiveScore CZ have reviewed the best two-footed players of all time. While many modern players such as Ousmane Dembélé and Son Heung-min also possess excellent two-footed ability, the names above remain the most iconic. For more football facts, news, and interesting articles, follow our website.