Pele

10 Best Genuine Two-Footed Soccer Players In The World

In this post, I will discuss the best genuine two-footed players that I have ever been in football. There are many great two-footed players, but only a few are that genuine.

Let me tell you, some of the players in your mind right now are not genuine two-footed players, and they won’t make this list.

Ultimately, these players do not have a weaker foot as they can use both feet efficiently, dominating either side of the field.

So, if you ask me, Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, Kevin De Bruyne, Ousmane Dembélé, Pavel Nedved, Andreas Brehme, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Laudrup, Son Heung-min, and Santi Cazorla are the two most two-footed players in football history.

Let’s kick off.

1.  Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff

Johan Cruyff was one of the most complete footballers the game has ever seen, and part of that was down to his ability to use both feet with equal comfort.

Born in Amsterdam in 1947, he became the face of “Total Football,” a style built on movement, intelligence, and technical skill.

Cruyff was not just a great dribbler or passer; he could shoot, cross, and control the ball with either foot, which made him unpredictable and almost impossible to defend.

At Ajax, he won league titles and three European Cups, scoring and creating goals freely. His record-breaking move to Barcelona brought success, with Cruyff leading them to the Spanish league title.

On the international level, he inspired the Netherlands to the 1974 World Cup final and was named best player of the tournament.

Aside from his playing days, he shaped modern football as a coach and thinker.

2.  Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane, known as “Zizou,” is considered one of football’s greatest ever.

He played as an attacking midfielder and was famous for his smooth style, vision, and ability to control the ball with either foot.

Zidane began at Cannes, impressed at Bordeaux, and then became a star at Juventus, winning league titles in Italy.

In 2001, he joined Real Madrid for a record fee and scored one of the most iconic goals ever, a left-foot volley in the 2002 Champions League final.

For France, Zidane was a hero, leading his country to World Cup glory in 1998 and Euro 2000.

He also reached the 2006 World Cup final, where he won the Golden Ball. After retiring, Zidane became a manager, most famously with Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles in a row.

His two-footed skill made him almost impossible to stop.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Best Muslim Players In La Liga

3.  Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is often included as one of the most complete midfielders in football history, and a big reason is his ability to use both feet with equal skill.

He started at Genk, winning the league before moving to Chelsea.

After a loan at Werder Bremen and a great spell at Wolfsburg, he joined Manchester City in 2015.

There, he became the heartbeat of the team, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the Champions League, while also setting assist records.

De Bruyne is famous for his passing, vision, and shooting, whether with his left or right foot, making him unpredictable and almost impossible to defend.

He has earned over 100 caps and played in several World Cups and European Championships, helping his nation reach third place in 2018.

His creativity and two-footed ability put him among the greatest midfielders ever.

4.  Ousmane Dembélé

ousmane dembele

Ousmane Dembélé is seen as one of the most genuine two-footed footballers ever.

He grew up playing with both feet and can score, pass, and dribble as well, using his left or right, having begun his career at Rennes, then moved to Borussia Dortmund, winning the German Cup, and showing his talent in the big games.

In 2017, Barcelona signed him for a record fee, and although injuries slowed him down, he still won several Spanish titles.

In 2023, Dembélé returned to France with Paris Saint-Germain. By the 2024–25 season, he had an incredible year, scoring over 30 goals, providing many assists, and helping PSG win the treble.

Alongside his club success, he has also lifted the World Cup with France, proving himself at the highest level.

READ ALSO: Top 5 Premier League Clubs With The Most Instagram Followers

5.  Pavel Nedved

Pavel Nedvěd is remembered as one of football’s best two-footed players. The Czech midfielder could shoot, pass, and dribble with either foot.

He first gained attention at Euro 1996, helping the Czech Republic get to the final. His tireless energy and powerful runs earned him the nickname “Czech Fury” in Italy.

Nedvěd enjoyed great success in Serie A with Lazio and Juventus.

With Lazio, he won the last Cup Winners’ Cup, while at Juventus, he played a key role in reaching the 2003 Champions League final.

That same year, he won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Czech to do so since the country split from Slovakia.

He also impressed at the international level, captaining his nation at Euro 2004 and guiding them to the 2006 World Cup.

Across his career, he played over 500 club games and earned 91 caps for his country.

6.  Andreas Brehme

Andreas Brehme

Andreas Brehme was one of the most naturally two-footed footballers ever. He could play on either side of the pitch, which made him stand out as a full-back.

His ability to strike the ball with both feet gave him a huge advantage in open play, set pieces, and penalties.

At the club level, Brehme had a great time with Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Real Zaragoza.

With Inter, he won the Serie A title in 1989 and the UEFA Cup in 1991. Returning to Kaiserslautern, he helped them win the Bundesliga in 1998 before retiring.

He was also key for West Germany, having played in three World Cup finals, famously scoring the winning penalty with his right foot in the 1990 final against Argentina.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

 

Cristiano Ronaldo is regarded as one of the greatest two-footed footballers in history, having begun his career with Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United, where he won his first Ballon d’Or at just 23.

At Real Madrid, he became the club’s all-time top scorer, winning four Champions Leagues and breaking countless records.

Later, he added trophies in Italy with Juventus and continued his success with Portugal, leading them to victory at Euro 2016 and the Nations League.

Ronaldo has scored over 900 career goals, many with his left foot, proving his balance and finishing are outstanding.

He has played for over 20 years at the highest level, winning five Ballon d’Ors and more than 30 major trophies.

His power, precision, and two-footed ability make him one of football’s most complete forwards ever.

READ ALSO: 10 Fattest Soccer Players In The World (All Time Ranking)

8.  Michael Laudrup

laudrup

Michael Laudrup is ranked among the finest two-footed footballers in history. The Danish playmaker could dribble past defenders, deliver precise passes, or strike on goal without favoring one side..

Laudrup’s career took him to some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Ajax.

With Barcelona’s famous “Dream Team,” he won four straight league titles and the 1992 European Cup, later adding another title with Real Madrid.

For Denmark, he played over 100 matches, scoring 37 goals, and helped them win the 1995 Confederations Cup.

Praised by teammates, opponents, and legends like Pelé, Laudrup is widely seen as Denmark’s greatest ever footballer.

9. Son Heung-Min

son heung-min

 

Son Heung-min is also ranked among the best two-footed footballers ever.

Born in Chuncheon, South Korea, in 1992, he left home as a teenager to join Hamburg in Germany before moving to Bayer Leverkusen.

In 2015, he signed for Tottenham Hotspur and became a world-class forward. Famous for scoring with either foot, Son won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2022 and became the first Asian player to hit 100 Premier League goals.

He also earned the FIFA Puskás Award for a stunning solo goal.

Son captains South Korea and has played in three World Cups, as well as winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games.

He is regarded as Asia’s greatest ever footballer.

10. Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla is one of the best genuine two-footed footballers in history. He started out at his hometown club, Real Oviedo, before moving to Villarreal.

After a short but impressive time at Recreativo Huelva, he returned to Villarreal and became one of La Liga’s most consistent performers.

Cazorla later joined Málaga, then Arsenal, where he became a fan favorite. At Arsenal, he was instrumental in ending the club’s trophy drought with the 2014 FA Cup.

Despite serious injuries, he revived his career with Villarreal and later played in Qatar.

Internationally, he earned over 80 caps for Spain, winning Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. In 2023, he returned to Oviedo, helping them back to La Liga.

READ ALSO: 10 Fattest Soccer Players In The World (All Time Ranking)

Conclusion

Being truly two-footed is rare in football. The legends on this list, past and present, proved how much of an advantage it brings.

 

They could pass, shoot, or dribble without hesitation, and that’s what made them special.

 

Fans may debate who deserves the top spot, but one thing is clear: these players mastered a gift that few possess.

 

No weak foot, just pure football brilliance.