Neymar, Sadio Mane Ranked Among Football’s Top 5 Left Wingers of 2022

• Neymar was shortlisted in the best left-wingers of 2022 alongside compatriot Vinicius Jr
• Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane was also ranked among the top five despite his injury
• Mane is the only of the top five left-wingers list not active at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The best left-wingers in football for 2022 have been revealed, and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been ranked behind Brazilian teammate Vinicius Junior.

The Real Madrid attacker has been adjudged to be the best left-winger of 2022, following his exploits for the La Liga champions and the Brazil national team.

Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich and Senegal, the Netherlands' World Cup star Cody Gakpo, and Portugal and AC Milan forward Rafael Leao complete the top five.

With the help of Sportskeeda, Sports Brief profiles the 2022 top five left-wingers and their contributions in the outgoing year for their respective teams.

Erling Haaland goals: 12 of the best goals by The Terminator

Football

5. Rafael Leao (Portugal) - AC Milan

AC Milan’s Portuguese left-winger, Rafael Leao was one of their standout performers in their victorious 2021-22 Serie A campaign.

Leao scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 games, including seven goals and eight assists, which came in 19 games between January and May 2022.

The AC Milan winger also scored twice in four Italy Cup appearances and once in four Champions League outings.

In 20 appearances in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, Leao has scored seven times and claimed nine assists.

4. Cody Gakpo (the Netherlands) - Liverpool

Cody Gakpo, a left-winger just signed by Liverpool, had an outstanding 2022. With his performances for PSV Eindhoven, he first made his presence known to the world.

The young Dutchman, who can play both down the middle and as a left flank, scored six goals and assisted twice in 14 Eredivisie matches during the second half of the 2021-22 season.

Ranking the 10 best Kylian Mbappe goals: Mbappe’s glamorous goals

Football

Gakpo showed his ability to score and produce in 24 games for PSV during the 2022-23 season before signing for Liverpool, scoring 13 goals and claiming 17 assists.

In five games for the Netherlands during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Gakpo scored three goals before Argentina eliminated them in the quarter-finals.

3. Neymar (Brazil) - Paris Saint-Germain

Despite struggling to stay in shape in the early part of the year, Brazilian superstar Neymar had a respectable year in 2022. However, he was fairly effective when called upon.

Neymar scored 10 goals and gave three assists in 12 Ligue 1 games during the second half of the 2021-22 season.

The 30-year-old left winger has excelled this season in both the Champions League and in Ligue 1. In 15 league contests, the Paris Saint-Germain forward has 11 goals and 10 assists.

2. Sadio Mane (Senegal) - Bayern Munich

In the 2021-22 Premier League season, Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane scored nine times and claimed two assists in 16 games.

France's World Cup 2022 squad: Who was left out of the France World Cup squad?

Football

The 30-year-old left winger joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, and has scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 23 games in all competitions.

Due to an injury, the Senegal international was unable to assist his side at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite having led them to the AFCON title earlier in the year.

Mane participated in seven AFCON games, scoring three goals and assisting two more. In the final, Senegal defeated Egypt 4-2 on penalties to be crowned as the champions of Africa.

1. Vinicius Junior (Brazil) - Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior had a great year in 2022, as the young Brazilian was a key component of the treble-winning 2021-2022 season, which saw Los Blancos win the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Supercup.

In the second half of the 2021-22 season, Vinicius netted twice and claimed three assists in seven Champions League knockout games for the Spanish giants.

Spain World Cup squad 2022: Which players will represent the Red Fury this World Cup?

Football

The Brazilian winger played 16 games in La Liga, scoring seven goals and dishing out eight assists. He additionally scored once in two Spanish Supercup games.

The 22-year-old has become Real Madrid's leading scorer in all competitions this season. He has scored six goals and provided three assists in 15 La Liga games, as well as four goals and one assist in six Champions League appearances.

Neymar reaches milestone with assist

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Neymar is looking to put his World Cup woes behind him and focus on the season with his club.

The Brazil attacker did just that for Paris Saint-Germain against RC Strasbourg, as he set a new milestone.

Neymar delivered a free kick into the box for Marquinhos to head home, in the 14th minute of their Ligue 1 tie.