The art of the winger is fast becoming extinct, which makes the job of picking some of the best left wingers in the world all the more difficult. Many of these players are now finding themselves competing all the way across the attacking threshold and back again. Here is our lowdown on the top tricky wingers to set the world on fire.

Some would argue Ribery is the trickiest of all these wingers. Close ball control and excellent dribbling rank amongst the finest of his abilities. After a slow start to his career, he has now established himself as arguably the best left winger in world soccer. Since announcing himself at Bayern he has attracted admiring glances from all across Europe.

Mata made his name with Valencia after being curiously released by Real Madrid’s second string as a young man. He has had a fantastic year scoring in the Euro 2012 final and also helping Chelsea to Champions League glory. His vision and technical ability are second to none.

For most of his career he has had to live up to being the ‘new Zidane,’ a tag that has followed him around. Now Nasri is regularly deployed as more of a winger, a role unfamiliar to Zidane. Last season he helped Manchester City to their first ever Premier League trophy. If Nasri can show the unpredictable passing and movement he displayed at Arsenal, Manchester City will be looking good for another title win.

The appeal of playing in the Portuguese league with Benfica proved to be enough to lure Di Maria away from his homeland of Argentina. His performances in the Beijing Olympics for his country earned him his big money move in 2008 and he hasn’t looked back. He is skillful on the ball and has an important burst of pace to power past his man.

Giggs needs no introduction. He has won countless titles and cups with Manchester United in his long career. He is still one of the better players in the world, even if he is mainly used as an impact sub nowadays. His tireless running and important goals are amazing for his age. Manchester United will look to keep him going as long as possible.

With Aston Villa slipping down the table Young saw his chance to challenge himself with a high-profile £15 million move to Manchester United. He has all the perfect attributes you associate with a winger; he is fast, a dribbler with a superb cross. Young has had his critics following his poor showing with England at Euro 2012, but remains one of the best wingers in the world right now.

Still only 22 years of age, we can only imagine what Bale will be like in his prime. He hit the ground running at Spurs and hasn’t looked back since. His pace and crossing abilities are to be gawped at. Tottenham have recently pushed Bale further up the field and in turn unlocked an attacking gem.

Cazorla had spent most of his career at Villarreal before last summer’s big money move to La Liga rivals Malaga. Cazorla is known as a very versatile player, being able to play on either flank. He was back in form last season after being plagued by injury in his final days at Villarreal. He scored 9 goals in 38 appearances and was selected for Spain’s Euro 2012 title winning squad.

Turan is one of the brightest talents to come out of Turkey for a while. After becoming a regular in the Galatasaray set up, Turan got his dream move to Atletico Madrid. He is now up there with some of the best wingers in world soccer. He is renowned for making goals for others with his incisive passing and accurate crosses.

He has been linked heavily with a move to Liverpool in the last few weeks and it will be interesting to see where he ends up this summer. Ramirez is an attack-minded player with an eye for goal. Now a full international for top side Uruguay, he is sure to be a left winger to watch for the future.