Best Left Backs in the World 2024: Creating an unbeatable team means having a squad that covers all areas of the field. That’s why we’re analyzing the best left-backs in the world today. The role of wingers has changed from being primarily defensive to being versatile players who can attack and support the team in offense.
Best Players In The World By Position
When assessing left-backs, it’s not just about their defensive skills but also their ability to contribute to the team’s attacking play. In today’s football, top teams require left-backs who can make long runs forward and actively participate in the team’s offensive tactics.
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Like right-backs, the role of left-backs is constantly evolving. In football, where every position demands more versatility, the left-back position has become crucial in many of the latest tactical systems.
How do we rank the best left-backs?
Ranking and classifying left-backs is a challenging task because it requires considering various defensive and offensive factors, as well as evaluating physical, technical, and tactical attributes. Left-backs are relatively fewer in number compared to right-backs due to the prevalence of right-handed players. However, we can still create a reliable classification of the top performers in this position.
- Tactics: 40%.
- Physical and Technical: 30%.
- Character: 30%.
Best Left Backs in the World 2024
In this article, we will explore some of the top left-backs who have rightfully earned their place among the elite in the global football landscape.
20. Jordi Alba
When Jordi Alba is in good form, he is considered one of the best players in the world and one of the top full-backs in LaLiga Santander. However, due to an inconsistent year, he is not included in the top 10 full-backs in the world.
Indeed, Alba performed well for Barcelona in the 2022/23 season, although not up to his usual exceptional standards. In La Liga, he played 24 games, scored 2 goals, provided three assists, had an average of 86.7 touches per game, and created 0.5 key passes per game. Now he plays for Inter Miami in MLS Along with his old friend Leo Messi.
19. Vitaliy Mykolenko
Vitaliy Mykolenko is a talented player who specializes in playing as a left-back. He has the potential to become one of the best players in the world. He is strong, fast, and has good skills in crossing the ball. He is also good at defending and can play in different positions, either as a regular left-back or as a wing-back.
While playing for Dynamo Kyiv, Mykolenko achieved success by winning a league title and two Ukrainian Cups. In January 2022, Mykolenko was signed by Everton for a price that was not made public, but it is estimated to be around £17 million. Although Mykolenko’s career is still in its early stages, he has all the qualities to become a top left-back. He is still young and has room for improvement, but he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world in his position.
18. Rayan Aït-Nouri
Rayan Aït-Nouri is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the game. He possesses exceptional skills and abilities that set him apart from others in his position. Aït-Nouri is known for his outstanding performances on the field.
At a young age, Aït-Nouri has already demonstrated great talent and potential. He is strong, quick, and possesses excellent defensive abilities. His attacking prowess and ability to contribute to the team’s goals make him a valuable asset. Aït-Nouri began his career at Angers before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan. During his time at Wolves, he showcased his abilities and left a lasting impression. He has made a significant impact in his appearances and continues to grow and develop as a player.
17. Alejandro Grimaldo
Benfica has a really strong defender. He plays as a left-back and has been doing great since he joined the team in 2016. Before that, he used to play for Barcelona’s B team.
Grimaldo has a lot of experience and he has been performing well in the Champions League. One interesting thing about him is that he has made a lot of assists. In the current season, he scored 8 goals and helped his teammates score 16 times in all the games he played, including two goals in the Champions League.
16. Reinildo Mandava
Reinildo Mandava is considered one of the top left-backs in the world. He is highly skilled and known for his impressive performances on the field. Many people praise him for his abilities in both attacking and defending.
Mandava’s talent has not gone unnoticed, and he has garnered attention from various clubs. His playing style and skills have impressed many top teams. He is currently playing for a well-known club and is expected to be a key player for them in the upcoming seasons.
15. Ferland Mendy
Another outstanding player who deserves recognition in this ranking is Ferland Mendy. He is a talented left-back who plays for Real Madrid. Mendy has managed to establish himself as a regular starter, even surpassing the previously undisputed Marcelo in that position.
In the 2022/2023 La Liga season, Mendy played 28 games for Real Madrid. He didn’t score any goal but provided 1 assist. Mendy is a player who generates mixed opinions among Real Madrid fans. However, one thing is clear: not everyone can become a key player for Real Madrid at just 28 years old. Mendy has a bright future ahead of him and has already proven his worth.
14. Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney may not be a widely recognized name outside of the Premier League, but passionate followers of English football are well aware of his exceptional skills. Despite being just 26 years old, Tierney has already become an indispensable player for Arsenal since joining them two years ago.
In the Premier League, Tierney showcased his abilities in 36 games. He scored a goal and provided 2 assists, displaying his contribution to the team’s attacking play. Defensively, he played a role in keeping eight clean sheets.
13. Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie is a talented young left-back. People think he’s great because he’s good at going forward and he’s very athletic. He’s still getting better, but a lot of people believe he has what it takes to become one of the best left-backs in the whole world.
Udogie has been playing well for Udinese in Serie A, and because of that, a lot of top clubs have noticed him. One of those clubs is Tottenham Hotspur, and they signed him in August 2022. They think he’s going to be a really important player for their team in the next few years. But he was loaned back to Udinese for the 2022-2023 season. The deal was worth around £21 million, with an initial payment of £15 million and a series of performance-related add-ons worth up to £6 million.
12. Tyrick Mitchell
Tyrick Mitchell is highly regarded as one of the top left-backs in the Premier League at the moment. He emerged from the Crystal Palace Academy and has been associated with the club since 2016. Mitchell made his Premier League debut in 2020 and has since become a consistent starter for the team.
Mitchell possesses a diverse set of skills as a left-back. He excels in defense, displaying strength and reliability. Additionally, he can deliver accurate crosses and is adept at covering the entire flank due to his impressive stamina. Mitchell’s passing abilities are also noteworthy, as he can effectively connect with both the midfielders and attackers, contributing to the team’s overall gameplay. Mitchell has the qualities and potential to become one of the top left-backs in the game.
11. José Gayà
Let’s move on to discussing the current captain of Valencia CF, José Luis Gayà. He consistently proves his exceptional talent and leadership on the field. Despite Valencia’s disappointing season, there are questions about whether his potential exceeds the level of the team. Nevertheless, out of loyalty to the club, Gayà continues to lead from his challenging position.
In La Liga, Gayà has played in 36 games. He scored one goal and provided an impressive Four assists, highlighting his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. On average, he had 57.2 touches per game and generated 1.1 key passes, indicating his involvement in Valencia’s offensive play. Defensively, Gayà contributed to keeping clean sheets in five matches.
10. Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw, after facing years of challenges under José Mourinho, struggled to showcase his true potential at Manchester United. However, in a season where it appeared Alex Telles would take over his position, Shaw emerged never before and established himself as one of the Premier League’s best left-backs.
During this year, Shaw played an impressive 51 games for Manchester United. In the Premier League, he scored one goal and provided two assists, displaying his ability to contribute to the team’s attacking play.
9. Federico Dimarco
Dimarco is a versatile player who can play in different positions on the left side of the field, either as a left-back or left-wing-back. He’s great at defending, but he’s also skilled at attacking. When it comes to crossing the ball, he’s good at it, and he can also take powerful shots from far distances. He’s also a talented dribbler and can easily get past his opponents on the wing.
This season, Dimarco has been performing well for Inter Milan. He has played in 33 matches in Serie A, where he scored four goals and made five assists. He’s also a regular player for the Italian national team and played in all of their matches at the UEFA Nations League finals in June 2023. If Dimarco continues to play this well, he has a chance to become one of the best left-backs in the world.
8. Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell made a significant move to Chelsea in the summer of 2020, becoming one of the most expensive full-backs in history. His arrival at Stamford Bridge signaled the acquisition of a highly promising English player in the Premier League. Within just one year, Chilwell’s impact at Chelsea has become evident.
Known affectionately as ‘Chilly’ among his teammates, friends, and colleagues, Chilwell has consistently showcased his immense talent on the field. Although he faced some initial challenges, he has proven why Chelsea invested £55 million in him. In the 2022/2023 Premier League season, Chilwell played in all 31 games for Chelsea. He made notable contributions with two goals and four assists.
7. Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko was brought to Arsenal by Mikel Arteta to play in midfield, but he has done exceptionally well as a left-back this season. He has been fantastic at picking up the ball from deep positions and moving into the central areas of the field.
Zinchenko’s amazing passing skills allow him to control the game and create opportunities for his teammates. He also provides a solid defensive foundation for Arsenal.
Although Zinchenko’s stats may not reflect his true importance, with just one goal and two assists, his passing abilities are outstanding. He often makes precise passes to Martin Odegaard, finding the perfect spaces between the opposing team’s midfield and defense. He also delivers delicate through balls to Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Without Zinchenko, Arsenal would likely not be in the strong position they currently hold.
6. Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella has experienced a rapid rise from being a hardworking player at Chelsea FC under Mauricio Pochettino. He showcased his versatility by performing well as a center-back, full-back, and wing-back under Graham Potter at Brighton. His outstanding performances caught the attention of Chelsea, who paid a massive fee to acquire his services this summer.
Cucurella is a real nuisance for opponents. He is incredibly difficult to play against due to his tenacity when defending and his clever skills on the ball. He effortlessly evades pressure and it’s no surprise that Pep Guardiola was keen on signing him before Chelsea made their move. Moreover, Cucurella also has a great head of hair, despite the differing opinion of Cristian Romero.
5. Andrew Robertson
Andrew Robertson’s performance has experienced a slight decline recently. The Scottish winger used to be the top player in our ranking until last season. However, due to Liverpool’s defensive struggles this season, he has dropped 4 positions. Nevertheless, Robertson continues to perform at a high level.
Robertson remains an essential player at Anfield, where he has played 49 games this season. He scored one goal and provided 14 assists, highlighting his contribution to Liverpool’s attacking play. On average, he generated 1.7 key passes per game and had an impressive 96.9 touches, demonstrating his involvement in the team’s gameplay.
4. Alejandro Balde
There’s a 19-year-old left-back from Spain who is considered to be the successor to Jordi Alba, a long-time left-back. He came through the ranks of La Masia, Barcelona’s youth academy. People think he has all the right qualities to become one of the best left-backs in the world.
One of his strengths is his ability to defend well. He’s especially good at recovering the ball when the other team has it. He’s also very fast, which helps him handle the opposing team’s attacks. This season, his passing and assisting skills have been excellent, and they have been a great support to his team’s attacks.
3. Theo Hernández
Theo Hernández is currently considered the 3rd best left-back in the world. Since joining AC Milan from Real Madrid, he has excelled in Serie A and established himself as a top player in his position. His explosive speed, exceptional game vision, goal-scoring ability, and defensive presence set him apart from others.
Given his outstanding performances, it is no surprise that Theo is nicknamed ‘the Train’. In his best year as a professional, he played 32 games in Serie A, scoring 4 goals, providing 3 assists, generating 1.3 key passes per game, and averaging 75.1 touches. At just 25 years old, Theo Hernández’s potential seems limitless.
2. Nuno Mendes
He is just 20 years old and considered one of the most promising left-backs in Europe. He has also played in 19 matches for Portugal’s national team and has a promising future ahead. He has gained recognition while playing in Paris, France. He is known for his speed and ability to dribble past opponents in their penalty area. His collaboration with the attacking trio of Paris Saint-Germain can cause a lot of trouble for the opposing team.
Coach Galtier has shown confidence in Mendes, assigning him to the left side of the field. When combined with Hakimi, who handles the right side, they form a powerful defensive duo that can be challenging for any team to face. PSG, with their strong defensive and offensive abilities, are aiming to win their first-ever Champions League title next Year.
1. Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies is an exceptional talent worth studying. At only 23 years old, this Canadian full-back has already made a name for himself alongside the best players in the world, despite not having a standout season with Bayern Munich in 2022/2023.
Davies’ explosive speed, excellent game vision, and impressive dribbling skills make him a promising player for the future of football. Despite his relatively low statistical figures, his young age and potential place him among the best in the world.
In the 2022/2023 Bundesliga season, Davies played 38 games for Bayern Munich. He scored 3 goals and provided eight assists, showcasing his ability to contribute to the team’s attacking play. Therefore, we consider him the best left-back in the world today.
