From Midfielder to Striker: The Incredible Stories of 10 Footballers Who Transformed Their Game and Became World-Class Players

In the world of football, a player's ability to excel in a certain position is a hallmark of greatness. Many world-class players are considered so because they show skill in a specific position. However, there exists an elite group of football stars who managed to successfully switch positions and excel in their new roles. In this article, we look at some football stars who switched positions either early on or later on in their careers, with that tweak working wonders. Gianluigi Buffon - defender to goalkeeper It is surreal to imagine one of the best goalkeepers in footballing history started out as a defender. Yet according to uefa.com, Gianluigi Buffon initially played in the outfield when he started out in football. His father eventually talked him into trying his luck between the sticks and the rest is history. Buffon went on to establish himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, winning multiple titles with Juventus, as well as the World Cup with Italy in 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo - winger to striker Fans with long memories will remember the skinny Sporting Lisbon winger from 2002, who attracted interest from Sir Alex Ferguson after that fateful match against Manchester United. Ronaldo was brilliant on the flanks earlier in his career and was a winger for years, before a red card in 2007 switched his entire game around, as per bleacherreport.com. He started to play as a striker and went on to establish himself as one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, winning multiple titles and Ballon d'Or awards with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and now Juventus. Gareth Bale - left-back to winger The now-retired Gareth Bale initially began his career at Southampton, playing as a left-back who was somehow a free-kick specialist. His move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007 was the turning point of his career once his position was changed to a winger. Bale’s speed and dribbling ability made him a nightmare for defenders, and he went on to establish himself as one of the best wingers in the world, winning multiple titles with Real Madrid, and reaching the final of the Euro 2016 with Wales. Sergio Ramos - striker to centre-back Have you ever wondered why Sergio Ramos is so prolific from the penalty spot? Well, the Spaniard started out as a striker during his Sevilla days. He never lost his knack of scoring goals, however, and earned the nickname of 'striking defender' over time. Ramos later switched to playing as a centre-back, where he established himself as one of the best defenders in the world, winning multiple titles with Real Madrid and the World Cup with Spain. Mohamed Salah - left-back to winger/forward An exciting story from ThisIsAnfield.com documents how Salah was transformed from a fifth-choice left-back to become the most lethal forward in world football today. According to Said El Shishiny, who coached the Egyptian at the El Mokawloon Academy, the pacey player was initially a left-back. There was fierce competition for the position then and Salah was not favoured. However, he persevered and switched to playing as a winger/forward. He went on to establish himself as one of the best forwards in the world, winning multiple titles with Liverpool and reaching the final of the Champions League with them twice. Victor Osimhen - defender to striker Napoli ace, Victor Osimhen admitted he started his career as a defender who idolized Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba while growing up. The Nigerian is now one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe and will likely leave Naples for a hefty fee in the summer. Osimhen was converted to a striker after his talent was spotted by his coach, and he has [email protected] Continue from where you stopped Ashley Cole - striker to left-back Before Ashley Cole became one of the best left-backs in the world, he played as a striker. But when he was signed by Arsenal, manager Arsène Wenger saw potential in him as a left-back, a position that he eventually excelled in. Javier Mascherano - defensive midfielder to centre-back Javier Mascherano began his career as a defensive midfielder, but his versatility and skillset allowed him to transition into a centre-back role later in his career. He became a key player for both Barcelona and the Argentine national team in that position. Cesc Fabregas - attacking midfielder to deep-lying playmaker Cesc Fabregas started his career as an attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring goals. However, as he matured and gained more experience, he began to play a deeper role in midfield as a playmaker. He is now known for his ability to control the pace of the game and make key passes. Roberto Firmino - attacking midfielder to false nine Roberto Firmino began his career as an attacking midfielder, but when he joined Liverpool, manager Jurgen Klopp saw potential in him as a false nine. Firmino embraced the role and has since become a vital component of Liverpool's front three. These players' successful transitions to new positions demonstrate the importance of versatility in modern football. With teams increasingly looking for players who can play multiple positions, being able to adapt and perform in different roles can be the key to success. Moreover, it shows that players should not be limited by their initial positions or roles. By being open to trying new positions and learning new skills, players can unlock new potential and become even better players. It's also worth noting that these transitions don't happen overnight. It takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and improve to make such a significant change successfully. These players' journeys serve as an inspiration to aspiring footballers who may be looking to make a similar transition in their careers. In conclusion, these footballers' ability to successfully switch positions and excel in new roles is a testament to their skill, versatility, and determination. They serve as a reminder that in football, as in life, being open to new opportunities and challenges can lead to great things. Send a message.