The 25 best left-backs in world football - ranked

The full-back revolution hasn't merely been restricted to the right side of the pitch, even if that is where many of the tagged revolutionaries strut their stuff.

Being deployed at left-back was once an insult; it's where the worst player on the team attempted to impress down on the local playing fields on a Sunday morning. It was a position nobody wanted to play.

However, the rapid evolution of the sport in the 21st century has morphed the left-back position into a desirable one. It's an incredibly demanding function with modern-day tactical obsessives trying their utmost to complicate the role as much as they can. Thanks, Pep.

But their work has brought about a new breed of left-back and we're now blessed with a myriad of stars in that position.

Ranking the top 25 left-backs in the world is no easy task, but here's our attempt at doing exactly that.

25. Maxim De Cuyper

Maxim De Cuyper is a name to keep an eye on during the summer transfer window. He's the sort of full-back most contemporary managers adore.

The Belgian international is adept off both feet and boasts exuberance in bundles. While a sound defender, De Cuyper relishes the freedome he has to get upfield.

Club Brugge were one of the surprises of the 2024/25 Champions League, and the young full-back was one of the keys to their success.

24. Miguel Gutierrez

Former Real Madrid defender Miguel Gutierrez could find himself back in the Spanish capital soon given his continued good form with Girona.

Michel's ever-interchanging outfit took La Liga by storm in 2023/24, with the manager's ideals meaning Gutierrez plays the complete opposite of a conventional left-back role.

The Spaniard boasts an impressive physical profile and is comfortable operating in a variety of zones. He was arguably La Liga's standout left-back last term.

23. Patrick Dorgu

Patrick Dorgu will forever be known as the first signing of the Ruben Amorim era at Manchester United.

The Portuguese coach required drastic improvements at wing-back in January, identifying Dorgu as an ideal profile for his needs out wide.

The young Danish internationla isn't all that experienced and remains rough around the edges in some departments, but Dorgu boasts the engine and attacking endeavour to be a hit at the Theatre of Dreams. His start to life at United has been bright enough after he impressed in Serie A with minnows Lecce.

22. Nuno Tavares

Arsenal have tried to get Nuno Tavares off their books for years, eventually striking a deal with Lazio last summer which will see the Italian club purchase him outright for a small fee come the end of his loan spell.

The adventurous full-back wasn't deemed of the requisite level to contribute to Mikel Arteta's project in north London, but Arsenal's loss has been Lazio's gain.

The Romans aren't always the most exhilirating of watches, but Tavares has been in remarkable form down the left flank. He leaves plenty to be desired defensively, but he's proven to be almost impossible to contain when he's in the mood.

21. Destiny Udogie

Italian flier Destiny Udogie was the talk of the Premier League at the start of the 2023/24 season, causing havoc with his bursts into the final third and quality on the ball.

Udogie was an instant hit in north London, but the form he displayed during Spurs' majestic beginning to the Ange Postecoglou era hasn't been replicated since. The Italian has produced standout performances, but consistency and lapses in concentration have been issues.

20. Rayan Ait-Nouri

Change has almost always been around the corner at Molineux over the past couple of years, but Rayan Ait-Nouri has been a joyous constant down Wolves' left flank.

He was an FPL favourite last season despite his team's tendency to concede, with the Algerian's willingness to push forward and contribute in the final third resulting in handy point returns.

Ait-Nouri is more comfortable drifting infield and operating centrally, with his tidy footwork and innate ability to connect and combine allowing him to shine in tight spaces.

19. Antonee Robinson

Antonee Robinson has long been regarded as a left-back with bags of talent and there's no doubt the USMNT international went up a gear in 2023/24.

He can frustrate in the final third given the positions he gets himself in, while his penchant for an own goal is odd, but Robinson has nonetheless evolved into a stellar two-way full-back.

He's streaky but capable of locking down the Premier League's best in a one-on-one duel.

18. Jorrel Hato

The Dutch international entered senior football as a centre-back, but he's been exclusively deployed at left-back by Italian coach Francesco Farioli this season.

In March 2025, Jorrel Hato became the youngest Ajax player in history to notch 100 appearances. The teenager's donned the armband on numerous occasions for the Dutch giants, boasting maturity well beyond his years and a profile that many managers would love to have at their disposal.

17. Luke Shaw

When Luke Shaw latched onto Kieran Trippier's teasing delivery to open the scoring in the Euro 2020 final, it was the culmination of the left-back's impressive resurgence having previously been written off.

Shaw's majestic Euros had come off the back of a brilliant season - arguably his best - at Manchester United and had been regarded as one of the world's best left-backs.

He just hasn't played enough football over the past 18 months.

16. Andrea Cambiaso

Versatile wing-back Andrea Cambiaso functioned as a Swiss army knife for Massimiliano Allegri during his debut season at Juventus, with the former head coach even utilising Cambiaso in an inverted role at the start of 2023/24, such is his unique profile.

Cambiaso will be a part of Juve's long-term future (unless Man City break the bank this summer) and certainly has the capacity to shoot up this list. He's a do-it-all performer who was initially adored by former manager Thiago Motta. Cambiaso perhaps didn't play the starring role many projected under Motta, with ankle injuries giving him grief this season.

15. Marc Cucurella

Chelsea spent a lot of money on Marc Cucurella and the Spaniard was a bit of a liability for quite a while. However, the floppy-haired left-back has shown signs of maturity as a defender over the past 18 months and worked his way back into the Spain set-up.

There are technical flaws but Cucurella is an intense, energetic full-back who can be hard to play against. His stock rose considerably amid an impressive Euro 2024 campaign, and he's performed an instrumental role under new Blues boss Enzo Maresca.

14. Myles Lewis-Skelly

A central midfielder by trade, Myles Lewis-Skelly has developed into an Arsenal regular and an international footballer by starring at left-back.

It's been a hectic few months for the teenager, who's rise culminated in an England debut against Albania in March 2025. He then became the Three Lions' youngest-ever debut goalscorer.

Possessing Mousa Dembele-like press resistance, unflinching self-belief, and courage in abundance, Lewis-Skelly looks destined for stardom.

13. Raphael Guerreiro

There aren't many full-backs as dynamic as Raphael Guerreiro. The diminutive Portugal international is so fun to watch.

Guerreiro stands out with his efficient work in the final third but he's also an exceptional ball-carrier. He's the epitome of a modern-day full-back.

While there are physical shortcomings, Guerreiro boasts the defensive nous to ensure such drawbacks are minimised. Thomas Tuchel utilised the Portuguese star in midfield, while Vincent Kompany has trusted Guerreiro at right-back.

12. Andy Robertson

While his stellar contemporaries have often peaked and dropped in recent years, Liverpool's Andy Robertson has been as consistent as they come.

Signed from Hull for a modest fee in 2017, Robertson has gone on to establish himself as one of the protagonists in a side that has won both the Premier League and Champions League in the past five years.

Robertson plays a crucial role in ensuring the Reds are able to suffocate and dominate opponents, but he's not the force he once was down Liverpool's left.

11. Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori's future lies at left-back, and we're bound to see the Italian maraud down the Emirates touchline for years to come.

Thiago Motta proved crucial in Calafiori's development at Bologna, and Mikel Arteta is set to benefit from the fruits of Motta's labour. Calafiori is such a fun performer, with his comfort in a myriad of zones aiding Arsenal's fluidity in the build-up phase.

He's aggressive - often too aggressive - without the ball and a keen tackler, and the emergence of Lewis-Skelly, combined with the Italian's knee injury woes, means he's been eased in during his debut campaign. Calafiori hasn't been relied upon relentlessly.

10. Milos Kerkez

The Hungarian international impressed during his debut season at Bournemouth, but Milos Kerkez has moved through the gears in year two.

A compact operator who shines at both ends of the pitch, the Cherries now look set to make a healthy profit on the former AZ left-back with Liverpool among the clubs lurking ahead of a potential summer move.

Kerkez has played a key role in the club's rise under Andoni Iraola, but the player himself already believes he's outgrown the south coast club.

9. Lewis Hall

Lewis Hall's season has come to a premature end, but that shouldn't take away from a majestic campaign in Newcastle colours.

Hall's start on Tyneside after being cast aside by Chelsea was rather inconspicuous, but he grew in stature towards the end of his debut campaign and has since blossomed into England's best left-back over the past 12 months.

Hall is a willing contributor higher upfield and is an excellent crosser of the ball, but he's a gritty customer, too. He's locked up the likes of Bukayo Saka in previous duels, developing plenty as a one-on-one defender.

8. Alejandro Grimaldo

Bayer Leverkusen finally dethroned Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and Xabi Alonso's wing-backs were key to their success.

While Jeremie Frimpong marauds down one flank, Alejandro Grimaldo masterfully conducts his orchestra down the left. Diminutive in frame, the Spaniard is a slippery operator when he bursts down the touchline and excels when tasked with combining and rotating with those in close proximity.

He enjoyed an individual campaign for the ages out of nowhere in 2023/24, ranking among Leverkusen's leading final-third contributors. 2024/25 hasn't been quite so sparkling, but Grimaldo still has to be regarded as one of the very best in the world in his position.

7. Theo Hernandez

6'0 tall and built like a brick you-know-what, Theo Hernandez has blossomed into a borderline superstar at AC Milan.

Hernandez loves to break forward from defence and is without question the most proficient ball-carrier among players in his position in world football.

The left-back has forged a deadly dynamic with Rafael Leao down the Rossoneri's left and the pair were pivotal to their title success in 2021/22. Theo can attack on the inside and outside, with the sheer power he possesses often enough to overwhelm opponents.

Hernandez, however, hasn't played his best football in quite some time.

6. Ferland Mendy

After starring in Ligue 1 with Lyon, Ferland Mendy departed for Real Madrid in 2019 and made an immediate impact. With stalwart Marcelo on the decline, the Frenchman was signed as the Brazilian's long-term successor at the Bernabeu.

He has certainly shown he's capable of performing at the very highest level and has had a hand in three La Liga title wins as well as Los Blancos' most recent Champions League triumph.

Mendy has almost gone under the radar for Madrid in the past couple of years with his domestic minutes limited by injuries. But he's stepped up when it has mattered most and his well-rounded skill set means he's one of the most complete left-backs in the world.

5. Alphonso Davies

When Bayern Munich were crowned European champions in 2020, Alphonso Davies was on top of the world with many regarding the likeable Canadian as the best left-back on the planet.

He stands out in almost every statistical category. He relentlessly contributes in the final third, aids Bayern's ability to progress the ball down the left and can dominate defensively.

Davies is physically imposing and one of the quickest players in world football. His recovery running is something to behold.

2023/24 was a mixed bag for Davies, but the left-back looks settled again in Bavaria after committing his long-term future to the club.

4. Federico Dimarco

Federico Dimarco's breakout performances at left-back for Inter saw the Italian giants quickly ditch previous signing Robin Gosens.

His nifty pace has become crucial for Simone Inzaghi and his sweet left foot is a proven threat in the attacking third. There are few better in Serie A than the Italy international, who played a key role in Inter's run to the Champions League final in 2023 and subsequent Scudetto triumph in 2023/24.

3. Alejandro Balde

It initially appeared as if Barcelona had stumbled upon the heir to Jordi Alba's throne in Catalonia.

Young Alejandro Balde was excellent in 2022/23 as Xavi's side lifted the La Liga title, but he was dragged back to earth with an inconsistent 2023/24 campaign which ended prematurely as a result of a hamstring injury.

However, Balde has been back to his best under Hansi Flick this season, re-emerging as one of the world's premier full-backs.

2. Nuno Mendes

Nuno Mendes endured a pretty turbulent debut campaign in Paris, often deployed in a flat back four by Mauricio Pochettino.

The Portugal international had excelled as a wing-back at Sporting CP and started the 2022/23 campaign brilliantly with Christophe Galtier switching to a back three. He's kicked on since then under Luis Enrique.

Despite his youth, Mendes is a league champion in two different countries and has all the makings of a superstar. He is as explosive as they come and his pinpoint crossing ability means his output should improve soon.

Recent tussles with Mohamed Salah manifested his standout one-on-one defensive ability, too.

1. Josko Gvardiol

Gvardiol was one of Europe's most regarded centre-back prospects when Manchester City paid a premium to prise him away from RB Leipzig, and Pep Guardiola has since evolved the young Croatian into a do-it-all left-back.

Bruising defenders should not be able to do what Gvardiol can with the ball at his feet. He's a ballerina in tight spaces and seemingly a master of shooting from distance. The Croat's goals down the stretch last season were crucial in another City Premier League triumph.

2024/25 has been tough for the Cityzens and Guardiola has counted upon Gvardiol relentlessly. There have been low points, but the defender has largely performed well in rather difficult circumstances.

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