The role of the left-back has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Once seen primarily as a defensive position, the modern left-back is expected to be as dangerous going forward as they are reliable at the back. From overlapping runs and pinpoint crosses to tactical intelligence and recovery speed, today’s best left-backs are among the most complete athletes on the pitch. This translates to the opposite flank, with the best right-backs in the world held to the same standards.
The 2024/25 season has showcased just how vital elite left-backs are to top teams across Europe. Whether it’s Joško Gvardiol redefining the position under Pep Guardiola, or Theo Hernández terrorising Serie A defences, this list reflects a new generation of full-backs who are as technically gifted as they are tactically disciplined.
We’ve ranked the ten best left-backs in the world right now based on form, impact, consistency, and overall influence on their teams. Some are flying under the radar, while others are already household names. All of them, however, are at the top of the game in a position that continues to evolve at a lightning pace.
10. Antonee Robinson
The first spot on this list could have gone to several players, but Fulham’s Antonee Robinson edges it after a stellar 2024/25 Premier League campaign. The USA international has improved year after year since he arrived at Craven Cottage and is now among the best left-backs in the league. Robinson can lock up some of the best wingers and has added an excellent playmaking element to his game.
The U.S Soccer Player of the Year has 10 assists and counting this season. That is the best playmaking return of his career. Pair that with his excellent defensive mind, pace and strength, and he has all the assets needed to be one of the best left-backs in the world. Few could have expected that kind of ascendancy when he was released from Everton in 2019, having failed to make a single first-team appearance.
Robinson is a testament to hard work and resilience. His performances under coach Marco Silva have been the catalyst for his placement on this list. He may not boast the honours that some on this list do, but that is not tantamount to his ability. Antonee Robinson has earned his spot as one of the best left-backs in the world right now.
- 1x EFL Championship Winner
- 3x CONCACAF Nations League Winner
- 1x Fulham Player of the Season Winner
- 1x US Soccer Player of the Year Winner
9. Milos Kerkez
Another Premier League left-back to have had a standout season this year is Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. The Hungarian had a breakout year in 2023/24 and went one better this season, asserting himself as one of the best in the league at just 21. The youngster arrived on the South Coast from Dutch side AZ in 2023 after spending time in AC Milan’s academy. He has improved at an incredible pace since, attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world.
He has shone since joining up with head coach Andoni Iraola at the Vitality Stadium. His pace and work rate up and down the flank are excellent, and he displays excellent tactical awareness for a player his age. The Hungarian has been at the forefront of Bournemouth’s ascendancy to challenging for a place in Europe.
Kerkez may have outgrown the Cherries with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United rumoured to be chasing his signature. That alone tells you the promise he has and the talent he has already shown.
8. Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy would probably be higher on this list if not for his nagging injuries. The Frenchman joined Real Madrid from Lyon after being named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in back-to-back seasons. He was the heir to Marcelo’s throne at the Santiago Bernabeu and helped Madrid pry the title away from Barcelona in his first season.
The former Le Havre man is less like some of his contemporaries. Many think of Mendy as more of a throwback full-back. He is excellent in 1v1 situations against wingers and does not often foray forwards like many full-backs and wing-backs are expected to do in modern football. He has incredible awareness, strength, speed, and agility, making him a brick wall to some of the best wingers in the world.
Since shining on the European stage and in La Liga, Mendy has shown he can perform at the highest level. However, consistent injuries since his arrival have meant he has struggled to see out full seasons. He has missed 98 La Liga games in six seasons. None of that can take away from the fact that a fit and fighting Mendy is one of the best left-backs in the world.
- 3x La Liga Winner
- 2x UEFA Champions League Winner
- 1x Copa del Rey Winner
- 2x UEFA Super Cup Winner
7. Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies had a nightmare with injuries in 2025, but he remains one of the best left-backs in the world. The Canadian signed for Bayern Munich in 2018 after starring for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS. He had already made 65 first-team appearances before turning 18. It didn’t take him long to settle into Bayern’s first team, and he has been a stalwart ever since.
Elite-level athleticism characterises Davies’ style of play. The Canadian has the cardio of a long-distance runner and the speed of a 100m sprinter. His explosive pace has even seen him deployed as a wide midfielder and winger. That pace and intelligence allow him to bomb up the pitch and drop back in recovery. Effective at both ends of the field, Davies is one of the most dangerous fullbacks in the world.
Davies has already won everything there is to be won with Bayern at just 24 years old. He is the star for his nation and in 2022 scored Canada’s first-ever goal at a World Cup. He later captained Canada to the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America in their first-ever appearance. Davies still has plenty more years at the top, and we may not have seen the best of him yet.
- 6x Bundesliga Winner
- 1x UEFA Champions League Winner
- 2x DFB-Pokal Winner
- 1x UEFA Super Cup Winner
- 1x UEFA Team of the Year
- 4x Canadian Men’s Player of the Year
6. Alejandro Grimaldo
Alejandro Grimaldo has emerged as one of the best players in the Bundesliga in the last couple of years. The 29-year-old began his career with Barcelona, but failed to break into the first team. He finally found his break after moving to Benfica for just €1.5 million in 2016. The Spaniard spent seven years in Portugal, making over 300 appearances and winning four league titles before moving to Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.
Grimaldo made an immediate impact in Leverkusen. The former Barca man contributed 10 league goals and six assists as Xabi Alonso’s side went undefeated to win the league for the first time in 13 years. Grimaldo’s pinpoint delivery is the hallmark of his game, conducting proceedings down the touchline.
The Spaniard has developed into one of the best left-backs in the world after struggling to break through early in his career. He is another testament to hard work and resolve. Grimaldo is an integral piece of the puzzle at Leverkusen, and they arguably would not have won the Bundesliga without him in 23/24. He is undoubtedly one of the best left-backs in the world.
- 4x Primeira Liga Winner
- 1x Bundesliga Winner
- 1x DFB-Pokal Winner
- 1x Taça de Portugal Winner
- 1x UEFA European Championship Winner
- 1x Bundesliga Team of the Season
5. Alejandro Balde
One player who has not struggled to nail down a starting place at Camp Nou is young Alejandro Balde. Balde, the man charged to fill Jordi Alba’s shoes, made his Barcelona debut as a 17-year-old in 2021. The La Masia product made just seven first-team appearances that season, but was thrust into the limelight the following year. He took over as Barca’s starting left back, making 29 starts in 33 La Liga appearances.
Balde has improved tenfold since Hamsi Flick took the reins in Barcelona. He has improved his tactical and defensive awareness while becoming one of the best attacking left-backs in the league. The 22-year-old has mastered the balance between his defensive and attacking duties. He has eight assists in all competitions this season, a career-best effort, and has helped Barca to the La Liga title.
The academy product is now one of the first names on the team sheet at Camp Nou. Balde is already one of the best left-backs in the world. However, he is not even the finished product yet. If he continues to improve at the rate he has been under Flick, he could find himself even higher up this list in the coming years.
- 2x Bundesliga Winner
- 1x Copa del Rey Winner
- 2x Supercopa de Espana Winner
- 1x La Liga Team of the Season
4. Federico Dimarco
Federico Dimarco has blossomed into one of the most complete left-backs in world football. A product of Inter Milan’s youth academy, he took the long road to stardom, going out on several loans before finally breaking into the first team. Since returning to the San Siro setup in 2021, Dimarco has gone from a rotational option to a guaranteed starter under Simone Inzaghi. He was vital in Inter’s Scudetto-winning side and their runs to the Champions League final in 2023 and 2025.
What sets Dimarco apart is his extraordinary technical quality. He is arguably the best crosser among left-backs in Europe and has the kind of left foot that can change a game in a single moment. His set-piece delivery is elite, and he has added goals to his game, scoring four times this season in all competitions. Defensively, he is aggressive and tactically astute, thriving in Inter’s back-three system where he has the license to push forward but is also reliable in transition.
His combination of flair, tenacity, and intelligence makes him a nightmare to defend against. At 27, Dimarco is in the prime of his career and is only improving. Many soccer predictions have earmarked his Inter side to lift the Champions League trophy this season. There is no doubt Dimarco will play an integral part in those efforts. He is no longer just a promising talent; he is a world-class full-back.
- 1x Serie A Winner
- 2x Coppa Italia Winner
- 3x Supercoppa Italiana Winner
- 1x UEFA Champions League Team of the Season
- 1x Serie A Team of the Season
3. Theo Hernández
Theo Hernández has redefined what it means to be an attacking full-back. Since joining AC Milan from Real Madrid in 2019, the French international has evolved into a devastating force down the left flank. He is now widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world. At Milan, he’s become a cornerstone of the side. He played a pivotal role in their 2021/22 Serie A title win, the club’s first in over a decade.
Theo’s game is built around raw power and unmatched acceleration. He can glide past defenders and often carries the ball from deep into the final third, acting almost as an auxiliary winger. He plays without fear, always looking to take players on, shoot from distance, or whip dangerous balls into the box. Defensively, he’s improved significantly over the past two seasons, showing greater discipline and awareness in his positioning.
Theo blends athleticism, technique, and a relentless work rate. His consistency at club level and growing influence with the French national team make him a guaranteed starter for most sides in world football.
- 1x Serie A Winner
- 1x UEFA Champions League Winner
- 1x Supercoppa Italiana Winner
- 1x Supercopa de Espana Winner
- 4x Serie A Team of the Season
- 1x AC Milan Player of the Season
2. Nuno Mendes
At 22 years old, Nuno Mendes has already cemented his place as one of the best left-backs in world football. The Portuguese international made his name at Sporting CP, where his explosive pace and fearless style of play quickly caught the eye. PSG wasted no time securing his services in 2021, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2022. Since then, Mendes has become a crucial part of the Parisian backline. He holds down the left flank in a squad filled with global superstars.
Mendes is the prototype of the modern full-back. He combines blistering speed with incredible dribbling ability, making him a constant threat going forward. Unlike many attacking full-backs, his defensive work is just as impressive. His recovery pace, positional awareness, and timing in tackles allow him to nullify elite wingers week in, week out.
Injuries have occasionally interrupted his momentum, but when fully fit, very few in the world can match his two-way impact. He already has multiple Ligue 1 titles and is a regular starter for Portugal. Soccer betting markets have PSG as favourites to win their first Champions League title this season. With his mix of raw athleticism and growing tactical maturity, Mendes has the potential to be the best left-back in the world soon.
- 4x Ligue 1 Winner
- 1x Primeira Liga Winner
- 1x Coupe de France Winner
- 1x Taca da Liga Winner
- 1x Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year
- 3x Ligue 1 Team of the Year
1. Joško Gvardiol
Joško Gvardiol may have started his career as a centre-back, but in 2024/25, he has firmly established himself as the best left-back in world football. Since joining Manchester City from RB Leipzig, the Croatian defender has flourished under Pep Guardiola, becoming a key figure in City’s relentless pursuit of trophies. His transition to left-back has been seamless, showcasing his adaptability, technical quality, and elite football IQ.
Gvardiol brings a rare blend of physicality and composure to the role. Defensively, he is rock-solid. He is strong in duels, brilliant in 1v1 situations, and rarely caught out of position. However, what truly sets him apart is his quality when in possession. Whether it’s stepping into midfield with the ball, switching play with pinpoint passes, or initiating attacks from deep, Gvardiol plays with the calmness of a seasoned playmaker.
He has six goals this season, a remarkable tally for a defender, and his late runs into the box have become a serious weapon for City. Still only 23, Gvardiol is redefining what’s possible from the left-back position. He is the perfect modern full-back: defensively dominant, technically supreme, and tactically flexible. His goalscoring threat is unlike anything we see from other left-backs in world football. Right now, there’s no one better.
- 1x Premier League Winner
- 1x Prva HNL Winner
- 1x DFB-Pokal Winner
- 1x UEFA Super Cup Winner
- 1x FIFA Club World Cup Winner
