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Rio Ferdinand has sparked a debate today after picking his five top left-footed players of all-time.
The six-time Premier League winner, who will be a pundit for BT Sport for their Champions League coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday, decided to stimulate the conversation prior to tonight's fixtures, taking to Twitter to reveal his list.
Image: PA
Popular opinion in football is that left-footed players are just easier on the eye, and that they are generally rarer in the game than those right-footed.
And Ferdinand, currently training to obtain his boxing licence to take part in a fight, got his followers talking about the topic today.
His list comprises of 1999 Ballon d'Or winner Rivaldo, the legendary Diego Maradona, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, Hristo Stoichkov and Ferdinand's long-time teammate Ryan Giggs.
The #UCL is back this evening... Brought me onto this topic... What's ya Top #5 Left Footers of all time?! Comment below (mine below :point_down:) pic.twitter.com/YcznvLo7d6
- Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 17, 2017
I'm sure you'll agree that the five he's opted for have bags of quality and have left us in awe with their wand of a left peg - something that Messi, the only player on the list still playing, still does on a regular basis today.
There were a few notable omissions, given that the likes of Raul, Roberto Carlos,Paolo Maldini, Arjen Robben, David Silva, Robin van Persie ,Gheorghe Hagi, Adriano, Gareth Bale, Paulo Dybala, Mario Kempes, Ferenc Puskas and many others could all be thrown in.
There's a case for putting Alfredo di Stefano and Johan Cruyff in the mix, too, though they were more two-footed than left-footed.
Anyway, Ferdinand's purpose of his Tweet was to get a debate going and he definitely achieved that. Here are some of the replies, where they have been some great shouts:
Surely no left foot is better than the one belonging to Lionel Messi? :fire: pic.twitter.com/7FsbZzQzwC
- BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) October 17, 2017
My son :blush::soccer: pic.twitter.com/x5VDzHUe4A
- Nikki Hambridge (@NikkiL_86) October 17, 2017
Messi
- Dave Evans (@86devans) October 17, 2017
Rivaldo
Roberto Carlos
Maradona
Kinkladze
:ok_hand:
Liam Brady, Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes, Chris Waddle, Eder#showingmyage
- Matthew Strachan (@StrachanMatt) October 17, 2017
Ryan Giggs, Lionel Messi, Robin Van Persie, Edgar Davids, David Silva.
- Janam Muni (@janam138) October 17, 2017
- Gary Holt (@GazHolt83) October 17, 2017
Messi,Maradona,Giggs,Carlos,David Silva
- Sudarsan (@satnavginga) October 17, 2017
Maldini, Messi, Giggs, Maradona, Roberto Carlos
- Andy Jeff Otoo (@Agba_lagba) October 17, 2017
Liam Brady, John Barnes, Hristo Stoichkov, Gheorghe Hagi, Messi.
- Ben Proctor (@BenProctor_) October 17, 2017
Maradona, Hagi, Messi, Savicevic, Rivaldo
- El Lunes (@Ellunes) October 17, 2017
Roberto Carlos
- Glenlee92 (@glenlee92) October 17, 2017
Messi
Maradona
Rivaldo
Davids
1) messi
- ross kerr (@rosskerr1984) October 17, 2017
2) maradona
3) mihajlovic
4) recoba
5) redondo
@kierantierney1 Kieran Tierney, Kieran Tierney, Kieran Tierney, Kieran Tierney and.... Kieran Tierney
- Ryan Morrison (@moses_67) October 17, 2017
Siniša Mihajlović
- AC K3V (@ACKev) October 17, 2017
Álvaro Recoba
Bryan Robson
Johan Cruyff
Andy Reid
- Paul Rouget (@PLRGT) October 17, 2017
Can only be the man from Japan #Nakamura pic.twitter.com/yuAJceaxiZ
- Kolo46 (@kolo446) October 17, 2017
A shout for that Rio Ferdinand. pic.twitter.com/Dd0Eh4e1zA
- Andy Jarvis (@StockportRed) October 17, 2017
What would your top five be?
Have your say in our comments section.
Topics: Football, Rivaldo, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs