12 Best Left-Backs in the World of Soccer

Left-backs are the defenders that defend against the opponent’s winger, not letting them make a cross or pass into the penalty area. However, in modern soccer, wing-backs (left and right backs) are assigned to attack to implement different tactics.

The soccer world is evolving with time; likewise, the game is becoming more competitive. If you are a soccer fan, you might already know how significant the role of left-backs is. 

The left-back role is not only to play the team’s defense but also to attack. Similarly, the left-backs also fill up the visionary position.

Then among all the left-backs in the world, who are the best in the soccer world? We have just the list for you!

The left-backs we have compiled in the list are the best at what they do. Similarly, they have shown their athletic prowess on the top international platforms, taking sports fans by storm.

So, let us look at some of the best left-backs that the soccer world offers without further delay.

12 Best Left-Backs In The World Of Football

The list has been compiled with the help of trusted sources from the internet like the 1sports1 and novibet blog etc. But before diving into the details, let us take a quick look at the list below.

Players Name	Club
12. Juan Bernat	Paris Saint-Germain
11. Marcel Halstenberg	RB Leipzig
10. Ferland Mendy	Real Madrid
9. Filipe Luís	Clube de Regatas do Flamengo
8. Alphonso Davies	Bayern Munich
7. Lucas Digne	Everton
6. Alex Grimaldo	Benfica
5. David Alaba	Real Madrid
4. Alex Sandro	Juventus
3. Jordi Alba	Barcelona
2. Marcelo	Olympiacos Piraeus
1. Andrew Robertson	Liverpool

12. Juan Bernat

• Age: 31 years old
• Height: 1.77 m (5’10”)

The first player we will be starting our list of the best left-backs is Juan Bernat Velasco. He is a professional Spanish soccer player who plays for the Paris Saint-Germain and the Spain national team.

Bernat was part of his hometown’s youth club Valencia. He was with the youth club until he made his senior debut at 17.

In 2014, Bernat was signed by the German club Bayern Munich. He was signed for five years and made his official debut for the club on August 13, 2014. Similarly, nine days after his debut, he also played his first Bundesliga.

About Bernat’s international career, he played via the Spanish international youth setup. Moreover, he has represented his country on all sides, between the under-16s and the under-21s.

He made his international debut for the senior national team on October 12, 2014. He has made 11 appearances for the team, scoring and assisting once each.

The same year he signed with Bayern, Bernat made his debut for the senior Spanish national team. Then in 2018, Bernat left Bayern and signed with Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year contract.

The left-back again signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until June 30, 2025.

So far, in this 22/23 season, he has made 16 appearances, scoring 1 goal and making 1 assist.

He was not included in the Span national team for the Qatar World Cup 2022. He has not been called for national duty since 2019.

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11. Marcel Halstenberg

• Age: 32 years old
• Height: 1.88 m (6’2″)

Marcel Halstenberg is the next player on our list. He is a German player who represents RB Leipzig and plays for the German national team.

Halstenberg went through the youth system before he made his senior debut. He was first part of the SV Germania Grasdorf. Then, he was part of the Hannover 96 youth club from 1999 to 2010.

Then in 2010, Halstenberg made his senior debut with Hannover 96. Before Leipzig signed him, he played for Borussia Dortmund II and FC St. Pauli.

He signed with Leipzig on August 3, 2015, on a four-year contract. Halstenberg played his debut game for the club on September 11 of the same year. Likewise, he made his Bundesliga debut in the 2016-2017 season.

Meanwhile, Halstenberg’s international debut came in 2017. Although his calling to play for the national team was described as a surprise.

Since then, he has made his appearance for the national team. His recent one was on June 19, 2021, against Portugal at the UEFA Euro 2020 match.

So far, he has made 16 appearances, 1 goal, and 2 assists for the Bundesliga Club in the 22/23 season.

He was not called for national duty at the Qatar World Cup.

10. Ferland Mendy

• Age: 29 years old
• Height: 1.80 m (5’11”)

We have a French left-back on our list next. Born as Ferland Sinna Mendy, he is signed with Real Madrid and represents France’s national team on an international platform.

Mendy had a tough childhood; however, he was passionate about football from an early age. His incredible speed quickly drew the attention of the club, Paris Saint-Germain. And in 2004, he was accepted into the club academy.

Unfortunately, Mendy suffered a hip injury that developed into hip arthritis. The injury led him to a wheelchair, and his doctor even told him that he might never get to play football again.

But Mendy recovered after long and painful rehabilitation. Then in 2019. he was signed on a six-year contract by Real Madrid. His contract was estimated to be $50 million initially but with the potential to rise to $55 million with add-ons.

Similarly, Mendy made his debut for the senior national team in 2018. He played in the matches against Netherlands and Uruguay.

For the German Club RB Leipzig, he has made 16 appearances, 2 assists, and 1 goal in the 22/23 season.

He was not included in the French national team for the Qatar World Cup.

9. Filipe Luís

• Age: 38 years old
• Height: 1.82 m (6′)

Next up, we have a Brazilian left-back who plays for the Flamengo. Famous for his tireless approach and tactical awareness, Filipe Luís is one of the best left-backs in the game right now.

Luís was part of the youth club Figueirense from 1995 to 2003. Then he made his senior debut with the club in 2003. Then his opportunity to break into European football came in 2004 when he was loaned to Ajax.

Since then, he has played for various European and international clubs. The list includes Rentistas, Real Madrid B (loan), Deportivo La Coruña, Atlético Madrid, and Chelsea.

Similarly, in 2004, Luís made his debut for the Brazilian national team in the U-20 division, while he made his senior debut for the national team in 2009.

In 2019, Luís signed with Flamengo as a free agent. Over the year, some of his achievements include winning four trophies, including La Liga with Atlético Madrid, and helping Premier League and League Cup-winning for Chelsea.

He made his international debut on October 14, 2009. Since then, he has made 44 appearances scoring 2 goals and 6 assists. His last appearance for the national team was at the Copa America 2019.

In the Qatar World Cup, we will not see Luís playing for his national team.

8. Alphonso Davies

• Age: 23 years old
• Height: 1.83 m (6′)

Born in Ghana, Alphonso Davis is a Canadian left-back who signed with Bayern Munich and represents the Canadian National team. Widely known as one of the best left-backs of his generation, Davies is on number 8 of the best left-backs list.

Davies and his family were among the Liberian nationals who fled to Canada during Second Liberian Civil War. Then he got a chance to start his soccer journey after joining a youth club.

In 2005, Davies first joined Edmonton Internationals; then, he was also part of the Edmonton strikers from 2006-2014. Similarly, he joined the Whitecaps FC Residency in 2015. With the club, he also made his senior debut in 2016.

The same year Davies made his U-17 and U-20 debut for the Canadian national team, although he was a Liberian citizen by birth. In addition, he was part of the Canadian U-15 and U-18 camps.

In 2017, Davies officially became a Canadian national and received his citizenship. Similarly, he also made his senior debut for the national team on July 14, 2017.

Moreover, he was the youngest player to appear in the Canadian men’s national team. In 2018, Davies was signed by Bayern Munich II. The following season, he was named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season 2019-20.

Davis has made 36 appearances for the national team in all competitions scoring 13 goals and making 17 assists.

Alphonso appeared in the Qatar World Cup, and as of this writing, Canada has played 2 matches against Belgium and Croatia, losing both games.

7. Lucas Digne

• Age: 31 years old
• Height: 1.78 m (5’10”)

Luca Digne is a professional French soccer player for the Aston Villa and France national teams. Digne was part of the youth system before making his senior debut, like all the players on this list.

In 1999, Digne first joined the youth club Mareuil-sur-Ourcq. He was also part of the Crépy-en-Valois youth club from 2002-2005. Then in 2005, he moved to Lille. He made his senior debut in 2010 with Lille.

After building his early years with Lille, he was signed by the Paris Saint-Germain in 2013. The club signed him for a five-year contract worth around $15.66 million.

Likewise, Digne was signed by various clubs and loaned on one occasion over the years. He was part of Barcelona from 2016 to 2018, then with Everton from 2018 to 2022. Finally, on January 13, 2022, he was signed by Aston.

Digne has made appearances for every age group category for the national team between U-16 to U-21. However, his senior debut for the national team was in 2014.

For the national team, he has made 46 appearances and 6 assists.

He got injured at the UEFA Nations League A, so he was not included in the French national team for Qatar World Cup.

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6. Alex Grimaldo

• Age: 28 years old
• Height: 1.71 m (5’7″)

Born as Alejandro “Álex” Grimaldo García, we have this Spanish professional soccer left-back as our number 6 on the list. He is currently playing for the Portuguese club Benfica.

In 2006, Grimaldo joined a youth club Valencia in his hometown. It was where he began his playing career. Then in 2008, he enrolled in Barcelona’s youth club.

He was part of Barcelona’s youth system until he made his senior debut with Barcelona’s B-team in 2011. The same year, Grimaldo made his debut for the national team’s U-16 division.

Grimaldo played around five seasons with Barcelona’s B-team before Benefica signed him in 2016. He signed with the Benefica for $2.19 million, with Barcelona having a right to a percentage of a future sale.

Since his national team debut in the U-16 division, Grimaldo has also made appearances for U-17, U-19, and U-21 divisions. Similarly, Grimaldo won his first cap for the U-21 division on February 5, 2013.

So far, his stats in the 22/23 season are 26 appearances, 3 goals, and 5 assists.

He has not made any appearance for the national team since UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifying.

5. David Alaba

• Age: 32 years old
• Height: 1.80 m (5’11”)

The next player on our list is an Austrian professional soccer player playing for the Real Madrid and Austria national team, David Alba.

Aside from playing as a left-back, Alba also plays as a central midfielder and left-wing. But whichever position he fills, Alba is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation.

Alba started his soccer career by enrolling in the youth system of SV Asoern in 2001. After that, he was part of the Austria Wien and Bayern Munich youth club before making his senior debut in 2007.

After making his senior debut with the Austrian Wien II, Alba was signed by Bayern Munich and loaned to 1899 Hoffenheim. Then, he signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid on May 28, 2021.

Likewise, he was part of the Austrian national team for the U-17, U-19, and U-21 divisions. In 2009, he made his senior national team debut.

It was the year 2017 when for the first time, Alba captained the national team in the World Cup 2018.

Similarly, he also filled the national team’s captaincy in the UEFA Euro 2020. As a result, he led the team to the knockout stages in the tournament for the first time in their history.

For the Austrian national team, he has made 98 appearances, 15 goals, and 20 assists.

As of this writing, Alaba has made 21 appearances for the Spanish giants, Real Madrid, in the 22/23 season.

4. Alex Sandro

• Age: 33 years old
• Height: 1.77 m (5’10”)

We have another Brazilian left-back on our list of best left-backs. Born as Alex Sandro Lobo Silva, Alex Sandro is a professional player who plays for the Series A club Juventus and Brazil national team.

Starting his career with the youth club Atletico Parananense, Sandro had a very impressive career back in his youth academy years. He made his senior debut in 2008 with the club.

For two seasons, he played in the senior team of Atletico before signing with Deportivo Maldonado. The Santos then signed Sandro in a two-year loan deal in 2010.

From 2011 to 2015, he joined the Portuguese Primeira Liga club, Porto. Then in 2015, he signed with Juventus on a five-year contract deal worth $27.14 million.

In 2011, Sandro also made his first international debut for the Brazilian national team in the U-20 division and his senior team debut in 2011. Similarly, he also made appearances in the Brazilian U-23 team in 2012.

After signing with Juventus, Sandro won the domestic double in his first three seasons and two consecutive league titles.

In the 22/23 season, so far, he has made 17 appearances for the Italian club.

In the Qatar World Cup, Alex has made 2 appearances for the Brazilian national team and won both games, advancing to the Round of 16.

3. Jordi Alba

• Age: 35 years old
• Height: 1.70 m (5’7″)

On our number 3 in the best left-backs list, we have Jordi Alba. The 5’7″ player is a professional soccer player from Spain. He is currently the fourth captain of Barcelona and plays for the Spanish national team.

Alba went through the youth system before making his senior debut in 2006 with Cornellà. After that, he was part of the youth ranks of Barcelona and the youth clubs Cornellà and Valencia.

In 2008, Alba made his first debut on the international platform for Spain’s U-19 national team. Similarly, in 2008, he played on behalf of the Catalonia national soccer team.

Expect for the U-22 division; he has been part of the national team between U-19 to U-23. He was signed by Valencia B and Valencia, loaned to Gimnàstic before being signed by Barcelona in 2012.

Alba has won sixteen major honors with Barcelona, including five La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey, and one UEFA Champions League.

He made his international debut on October 11, 2011. Since then, he has made 89 appearances for the team.

In Qatar World Cup, he played 2 matches, 1 win and 1 draw, while making 3 assists.

2. Marcelo

• Age: 36 years old
• Height: 1.74 m (5’9″)

We are reaching the end of our list, and on our number 2 is a Brazilian player Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior. Famously known as Marcelo, he is considered one of the greatest left-backs of all time.

At age 9, Marcelo started playing futsal. Coming from a poor background, he thought of quitting but with his grandfather’s convincing; he continued playing soccer.

Then at age 13 in 2002, he joined Fluminense’s youth system. After that, he was part of the system and made his senior debut with the club. Then Marcelo’s biggest opportunity arrived in 2007.

Real Madrid signed him during the January transfer window of 2007 for an estimated $8 million fee. Moreover, the club President Ramón Calderón even commented Marcelo was a pearl that half of Europe wanted.

Marcel has also represented his country’s national team on various occasions. He was part of the U-17, U-20, U-23 national, and senior national teams.

Similarly, he has won 23 trophies and has been named FIFPRO World XI six times, UEFA Team of the Year three times, and La Liga’s Team of the Season in 2016.

Recently on September 2, 2022, Olympiacos signed the Brazilian defender as a free transfer from Real Madrid.

Marcelo was left out of the 26-man squad list for the Qatar World Cup.

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1. Andrew Robertson

• Age: 30 years old
• Height: 1.78 m (5’10”)

And here we have made it to the number 1 best left-back in the football world. Andrew Robertson is a Scottish professional player playing for Liverpool and the Scottish national team.

Growing up, Robertson was a huge fan of his hometown soccer team, the Celtics. Playing soccer from an early age, he was part of the Celtic youth system. However, he was released at U-15 for being too small.

Then in 2009, Robertson joined Queen’s Park youth club and made his senior debut with the club. After that, Dundee United Hull City signed him. Finally, in 2017, Liverpool signed him.

The 5’10” player signed a long-term deal with Liverpool for an initial fee of £8 million. Similarly, he represented the Scotland national team for U-21 and made his senior national team debut in 2014.

He has been named PFA Team of the Year and won UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in the 2018-19 season. Likewise, he played an integral part in Liverpool winning the 2019-20 Premier League.

His contract with Liverpool FC will expire on June 30, 2026.

His incredible crossing skills, work rate, tacking, speed, and stamina, set Robertson aside from the rest. As a result, Robertson is widely considered one of the best left-backs in soccer.

For his national team, he has made 60 appearances, 3 goals, and 5 assists.

Conclusion

The left-back position is one of the important positions in soccer. The players listed above are the best and excel as left-backs.

Do you agree with our list? Who do you think deserves the title of the best left-back? Let us know!

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