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 as part of our 2023 Welcome to World Class series.

25. Luca Netz

Despite being just 20 years old, Luca Netz is already making waves thanks to his impressive performances for Borussia Monchengladbach.

Big things are expected of the youngster over in Germany.

24. Wendell

Wendell was a late bloomer on the international scene, only making his Brazil debut in 2024. It did, however, come just in time to play as his country's first choice left-back at that year's Copa America.

He has garnered attention for his role in Porto's recent dominance in Portugal and could add to his trophy cabinet during the twilight of his career.

23. Emerson Palmieri

West Ham have managed to find fresh steel and resolve after a dire start to 2024, with Emerson Palmieri a fierce competitor throughout both the despair and later success.

Chelsea's forgotten man has enjoyed a resurgence in east London, with the Italian proving to be a particularly shrewd defensive operator.

22. Bradley Locko

Bradley Locko was signed by Brest from Reims for an absolute snip in the current market, making the journey across Ligue 1 after a €500,000 deal was agreed. Given they then qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever, his price tag is now exponentially higher.

The youngster enjoyed his first season as a true regular at left-back and showed his defensive acumen with some bludgeoning tackles and energetic blocks. He is set to go from strength to strength in the coming years.

21. Ian Maatsen

Ian Maatsen was one of a number of Chelsea players to struggle to break into the starting XI, being given few opportunities by former boss Mauricio Pochettino before he was sent out on loan.

However, the Dutchman showed his quality during a loan spell with Borussia Dortmund which was enough to earn him a promising move to Champions League outfit Aston Villa.

20. Maximilian Mittelstadt

Maximilian Mittelstadt's role in helping Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League was a big factor in his inclusion in Germany's squad for Euro 2024.

The former Hertha Berlin star possesses great dribbling ability which he showcased during 2023/24, helping him pick up two goals and four assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances.

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. 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 and certainly has the capacity to shoot up this list.

17. David Raum

David Raum is a relentless supplier of goals. Following a superb campaign with Greuther Furth in the German second tier, Raum would enjoy an assist-laden season with Hoffenheim before again moving to RB Leipzig.

Raum is a versatile defender who can function in a variety of systems, but he's undoubtedly at his most effective when he's given the freedom to advance into the final third.

He's one of the best attacking left-backs in the world, but he does have a couple of defensive drawbacks, including his ability in one-v-one situations.

16. 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.

15. Ben Chilwell

Questions were raised over Ben Chilwell's viability as a £50m full-back when Chelsea signed him from Leicester in 2020. His senior career had started brightly at the King Power Stadium but there's no doubt the Blues were taking a big financial risk.

However, he quickly took to life in west London and his game shot to another level after Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as Chelsea boss in January 2021.

The England international loves a niggle, however, and seems to run into a fitness issue whenever he builds up some momentum.

14. Nuno Mendes

Young 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.

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 increase soon.

However, a long-term hamstring injury means Mendes missed much of the 2023/24 season.

13. 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.

12. Pervis Estupinan

Pervis Estupinan made a name for himself while out on loan at Osasuna in La Liga during the COVID-hit 2019/20 campaign. Estupinan assisted five times in the league that season as his precise delivery and proactive defensive style became revered in Spain.

The Ecuadorian is an incredibly energetic full-back who excels in all phases of play. He's an excellent dribbler and proved while playing in the Champions League with Villarreal he can perform to a borderline elite level in high-pressure moments.

He was electric under former boss Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton and has all the makings of an exceptional wing-back.

11. Samuel Lino

Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid have evolved into a very watchable outfit, with the Argentine drifting away from the dark arts in favour of a more progressive style.

Flying wing-back Samuel Lino has been key to their evolution, with the Brazilian almost operating as an auxiliary winger. The two-footed Lino attacks space in behind opposing defences superbly and is a frequent contributor in the final third as a result.

10. Oleksandr Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko stars for his national team as a midfielder, but the vast majority of supporters regard the Ukraine international as an archetypal Pep Guardiola inverted full-back.

He performed such a complex function to an incredibly high standard at the Etihad as he perpetually played the unsung role in four Premier League title wins.

His arrival at Arsenal thrust Zinchenko more into the limelight and his impact in north London was immediate. He's a leader on the field and many regard him as one of the finest technicians in the sport. However, he declined in prominence during his second season in north London.

9. Miguel Gutierrez

Former Real Madrid defender Miguel Gutierrez could find himself back in the Spanish capital soon having excelled with surprise package Girona.

Michel's ever-interchanging outfit have taken La Liga by storm, 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 season.

8. Destiny Udogie

Italian flier Destiny Udogie is the talk of the Premier League right now, causing havoc with his bursts into the final third and quality on the ball.

Udogie has become one of Tottenham's best players overnight and solved what had become a problem position in north London.

7. 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.

6. 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 he is now regarded as one of the world's best left-backs.

Injuries take their toll every now and then but Shaw impressed in Erik ten Hag's first season at United, often filling in well at centre-back.

5. Federico Dimarco

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

His searing 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.

4. 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.

3. 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.

After starting 2023/24 superbly, his form has tailed off in the new year with talk of a Real Madrid switch starting to gather pace.

2. Alex 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, Alex 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's enjoyed an individual campaign for the ages out of nowhere, ranking among Leverkusen's leading final-third contributors. Suddenly, Grimaldo has to be regarded among the very best in the world at his position.

1. 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.

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL