Messi, Maradona, Roberto Carlos, famous lefties in football

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The date Aug. 13 marks the International Lefthanders as Anadolu Agency compiled world-famous left-footed football players.

Paris Saint-Germain's recent signing Lionel Messi, deceased Argentine superstar Diego Maradona, former Brazilian attacking left-back Roberto Carlos, ex-Romanian star Gheorghe Hagi and ex-Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs were the famous lefties in the game that come to mind instantly.

A stellar player in the last two decades, Messi, who generally plays on the right flank and center of the offense, is known for his pace, dribble skills and powerful left foot.

The 34-year-old Argentine forward was a pure Barcelona product to lead the Spanish club to 10 La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles from 2004 to 2021 during his sensational career.

The six-time Ballon d'Or award holder also won seven Copa del Rey, eight Spanish Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups.

Messi is also Barcelona's all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances.

He was a free agent when his deal with Barcelona expired in July.

Messi bid farewell to Barcelona last weekend to join Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

- Argentina, Napoli legend Maradona

Another famous leftist in football was a former Argentine attacking midfielder/forward, Diego Armando Maradona.

Maradona, who died of heart failure on Nov. 25, 2020, is regarded as one of football's greatest players ever.

Like his compatriot Messi, Maradona was known for his pace, highly skilled technique, and dribbling skills.

He was a versatile player on the pitch who could play in different positions in the offense.

One of the iconic football figures of all time, Maradona, 25 at the time, was the Argentina captain when he helped his nation win the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Maradona played for Argentina's Boca Juniors, Spanish clubs Barcelona and Sevilla, and Italian club Napoli.

The Argentine national was a beloved Napoli player as he won 1987 and 1990 Italian Serie A titles as well as the 1989 UEFA Cup with this club.

Maradona also helped Napoli win the 1987 Italian Cup and scored 115 goals in 259 matches for the Italian team.

Following his death, Italy's Naples municipality renamed Napoli football club's stadium as it will be hereafter called "Diego Armando Maradona Stadium."

He was 60.

- 2002 World Cup winner Roberto Carlos

Retired Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos was one of the intimidating lefties in the game.

A former Real Madrid regular, Roberto Carlos, 48, was one of the unique players of his generation.

He was famous for his explosive power, dribbling skills, long shot accuracy and powerful shots and freekicks.

Roberto Carlos, who had a lethal left foot to command the ball, was a longtime Real Madrid member (1996-2007).

He won four La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

The Brazil regular scored 70 goals and produced 89 assists in 527 appearances for Real Madrid, where he became a legend.

Roberto Carlos hit the peak in this career in 2002 when he helped the Brazilian national team win the World Cup, which was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

In 2007, he joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer to play for the Istanbul club for two and half seasons.

He tallied 10 goals and 10 assists in 104 matches for Fenerbahce.

Roberto Carlos had a career break in 2012 but then continued to play until his retirement from the game in 2016.

- 'Maradona of the Carpathians': Hagi

One of his generation's gifted players, Gheorghe Hagi of Romania, was famous for his technique, playmaker ability, dribbling, vision, decisive passing, and shooting in the midfield.

Hagi, 56, played for Spanish Real Madrid and Barcelona and Italy's Brescia before his five-year spell in Istanbul's Galatasaray, where he became fans' favorite.

The former Romania star did his best at Galatasaray in 1996-2001.

Hagi won four Turkish Super Lig titles in a row with Galatasaray as well as a UEFA Cup in 2000.

The 2000 UEFA Cup triumph was unique in Turkish football history as it is the first and still the sole major title for a Turkish club in history.

Following the UEFA Cup victory, Hagi helped Galatasaray win the 2000 UEFA Super Cup as well.

Nicknamed 'Maradona of the Carpathians,' Hagi scored 135 career goals with 76 assists in 427 club matches.

He tallied the majority of his goals and assists for Galatasaray, 71 goals and 64 assists in 192 appearances.

The former Romanian attacking midfielder Hagi retired from football in 2001.

- Manchester United loyal Giggs

In football, there might arguably be better left-footed players than Giggs, but the Welsh midfielder was one of the notable ones in the 1990s and 2000s for his loyalty, affection and contribution to Manchester United.

But there were a few players such as Giggs as the 47-year-old spent his entire career in a single club; Manchester United (1991-2014).

Giggs was one of the main pillars of Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson rebuilt the team.

'The Class of 92' that Giggs was one of the members describes several Manchester United players who led the club to a glorious era with trophies, especially the 1999 Champions League title.

In addition to Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, and Nicky Butt, the young players joined the Red Devils in 1992 to generate a powerful team in 1992-1999.

During his decades-long career, Giggs scored 168 goals in 963 appearances for Manchester United.

He also produced 250 assists.

Giggs' main attributes were his speed, ball control, dribbling, crossing and passing abilities.

In his time at Old Trafford, the Welshman earned 13 English Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Champions League titles and a FIFA Club World Cup with Man Utd.