As a left-back, it’s easy to feel a bit left out in the world of soccer. There’s no foot selector to ensure fair play for those who don’t fall into the right-footed category.
And some soccer coaches can be a bit biased against lefties, leaving them sitting on the bench more often than they would like.
We all know soccer players play with different feet, 65% are right-footed,25% are left-footed, while the rest 10% are blessed to make use of both.
Natural left-foot players are rare and always valuable on the pitch, their services are in high demand on the pitch, especially the left-backs.
Although many left-backs have played the beautiful game, only a few have truly set themselves apart, leaving a lasting impact on soccer history. Their achievements and performances will be remembered for generations to come.
This article was first published on June 12, 2018, and updated on April 9, 2023
10 Greatest Left-backs Of All Time
These are the best left-backs who have graced the game and left their solid left-footed prints on the sand of time.
1. Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini, the man, the myth, the legend – this Italian footballer was an absolute icon.
He played his heart out for A.C. Milan and the Italian national team for a whopping 25 seasons, before finally retiring at 41 years young. And he did make his mark.
Maldini won a staggering 26 trophies with Milan, including five Champions League titles, seven Serie A titles, and even a FIFA Club World Cup. Talk about a trophy cabinet overflowing with bling.
He was so good that he won the Best Defender trophy at the UEFA Club Football Awards when he was almost 40 years old. And to top it off, he was named Serie A Defender of the Year in 2004.
The man was a legend on and off the field. He was a leader for both Milan and Italy and was even nicknamed “Il Capitano” (the Captain) by his fellow soccer players.
And it’s no surprise why – he had the most appearances in Serie A with a whopping 647 appearances. That’s more games than I’ve had cups of coffee in my lifetime (and I really love coffee).
Maldini was known for playing as a left-back, but here’s a fun fact – he was actually right-footed.
He started off as a right-back for Milan but was moved to the left by his manager Arrigo Sacchi. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Maldini was an absolute legend of the game. His name will forever be etched in the history books of soccer.
Grazie mille, Paolo.
2. Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos is a Brazilian retired footballer. He started his career in Brazil as a forward but spent most of his career as a left-back and has been described as the “most offensive-minded left-back in the history of the game.
Roberto Carlos, or simply “RC” to his fans, was a Brazilian player who was a free-kick magician and a left-back like no other.
He played 125 times for the national team, scoring 11 goals, and represented Brazil at three World Cups, four Copa America tournaments, the 1997 Confederations Cup, and the 1996 Olympics.
In 1997, he was runner-up in the FIFA World Player of the Year. Widely considered one of the greatest left backs in history, in 2004 he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players
In his club career, he won the Brazilian League twice, La Liga four times, and the Champions League three times. And he played an instrumental role in helping Brazil reach the final of the 1998 World Cup (though they lost) and then winning it in 2002.
His most memorable moment was that free-kick against France. Seriously, if you haven’t seen it, go check it out now.
The ball swerved so much that it confused the goalkeeper and even made a ball boy duck for cover. Some even call it the greatest free-kick of all time. In fact, a group of French scientists even wrote a paper analyzing the trajectory of the ball.
Nicknamed “The Bullet Man” throughout his career due to his powerful bending shots and free kicks that left goalkeepers trembling in their boots.
His shots were so fierce that they were measured at over 105 miles per hour (169 km/h), leaving fans and commentators alike in awe.
RC started his career as a forward in Brazil but eventually found his true calling as an “offensive-minded left-back,” which is a fancy way of saying he liked to attack.
He was so good at it that he’s been called the best-attacking left-back in history. Not too shabby for a guy who started as a forward.
3. Nilton Santos
Nilton Santos, the wingback wonder from Brazil, was a true gem of the game.
He was a wizard on the pitch, with a knack for attacking and defending with equal aplomb. He was a four-time World Cup participant, and in ’58 and ’62, he helped Brazil clinch the title with his exceptional performances.
One of his most memorable moments came in the 1958 tournament when he single-handedly dismantled the Austrian team, dribbling past everyone like they were cones before slamming the ball into the back of the net.
His coach was screaming for him to get back on defense, but Nilton had other plans, and it did they pay off.
Nilton was a stalwart in the Brazilian defense for over two decades, earning 75 caps for his country. He was a nightmare for attackers and a dream for his teammates.
And his club career, which spanned a mind-boggling 36 years with just one club. That’s longer than most marriages these days!
His loyalty was unparalleled, and he racked up over 1000 appearances for his beloved club. That’s a feat that not many can match, especially in this day and age of players moving on every transfer window.
Nilton Santos was a true legend of the game, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.
4. Marcelo
Marcelo is not only one of the best left-backs in the world, but he is also known for his incredible attacking prowess on the field.
With his exceptional technical ability, he has become a fan favorite and is often praised for his ability to dominate the left flank of the field.
After joining Real Madrid from Fluminense at the age of 18, Marcelo quickly established himself as a key player in the team. Over the years, he has won an impressive 25 trophies with the club, making him the most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history.
Among his many success are six La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies, three of which were won consecutively.
Marcelo was an integral part of the team’s success during these championship runs, forming a formidable back-line alongside fellow defenders Ramos, Varane, and Carvajal.
While his defensive work may have occasionally been called into question, Marcelo’s attacking ability is undeniable. He has provided countless assists and scored numerous goals throughout his career, making him one of the most exciting players to watch in the game today.
5. Giacinto Facchetti
Giacinto Facchetti was an Italian footballer who made a name for himself as a defender, spending his entire club career with Internazionale in the 60s and 70s.
He played an astonishing 634 official games for the club, scoring 75 goals, and was part of the legendary “Grande Inter” team under manager Helenio Herrera that won four Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups.
Facchetti was an attacking left-back ahead of his time, earning a well-deserved second place in the Ballon d’Or in 1965.
With his pace, technique, intelligence, physique, and stamina, he was one of the greatest players to ever grace his position and formed an unbreakable wall in defense.
Not only did he help evolve the left-back role, but he also helped bring trophies to Inter Milan. His number three shirt was even retired by the club after his passing.
Facchetti won four league titles, an Italian Cup, and two European Cups during his time there. He came close to winning more, finishing as a runner-up in two more European Cup finals.
He also reached the World Cup final with Italy in 1970, having won the European Championships two years earlier.
6. Andreas Brehme
Andy Brehme, the football legend, will always be remembered for his epic 85th-minute penalty that sealed Germany’s victory over Argentina in the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final. It was a goal that catapulted him into soccer immortality.
But that’s not all there was to Brehme. He was also a free-kick specialist who could deliver precise crosses with pinpoint accuracy. With the ability to strike a free kick or launch a long pass with both feet, he was a valuable asset to any team he played for.
As a dynamic attacking full-back, Brehme found the back of the net for every team he played for during his impressive 17-year career. He won two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup, a UEFA Cup, and a Serie A title at the club level.
He was also part of the German national team that secured the 1990 World Cup and finished as runners-up in the European Championships two years later. Adding to this success was their second-place finish four years earlier.
Brehme scored eight international goals in his 86 matches for Germany. But it was his winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final that cemented his place in soccer history.
His legacy will continue to live on, as a true football great who left an indelible mark on the game.
7. Paul Breitner
Paul Breitner, the ultimate free spirit both on and off the pitch. This maverick left-back earned 48 caps for West Germany, and that’s not even half of it.
His partnership with Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts for the national team was the stuff of legends, and his midfield partnership with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at Bayern Munich was pure magic.
Breitner’s unconventional style made people scratch their heads, but his on-field performances spoke volumes.
He racked up an impressive collection of trophies during his club career, including five Bundesliga titles, two German Cups, a European Cup, a La Liga title, and a Spanish Cup.
He was an absolute game-changer. He played a pivotal role in Germany’s European Championships victory in 1972, followed by their triumphant 1974 World Cup campaign, where he even scored the opening goal in the final.
Breitner didn’t stop there. He continued his goal-scoring prowess in World Cup finals with a strike in the 1982 final, even though Germany fell short.
This achievement put him in an elite group of just four players to score in two World Cup finals. That’s right, he’s part of a very exclusive club.
This legend was crowned German Footballer of the Year in 1981.
He has considered one of the greatest German players of all time and his contributions were so significant that he was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. Plus, Pelé himself named him one of the top 125 living footballers at a FIFA Awards ceremony in 2004.
It’s safe to say that Paul Breitner’s legacy will never be forgotten.
8. Bixente Lizarazu
Meet Bixente, the charming retired Basque-French footballer who gave left-backs a good name. With his 97 caps for the French national team, he left a lasting mark in the game.
During his twelve-year international career from 1992 to 2004, Bixente played in three European championships and two World Cups for France, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
His trophy cabinet at the club level is just as impressive, with two French league titles, six German league titles, five German Cups, four German League Cups, and a Champions League.
Lizarazu’s Intercontinental trophy win in 2001 made him the first player to be a European champion and World champion on both international and club levels simultaneously. Talk about a trendsetter!
Despite his relatively small stature, he was known for his attacking prowess on the field.
He made a name for himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in recent times, thanks to his time at Bayern Munich and in the “Golden era” of French football.
He is undoubtedly the most decorated player in French football history. But his impact on the game goes beyond his impressive list of achievements. He showed that size doesn’t matter when you have skill, passion, and a love for the game.
9. Denis Irwin
He is best known for his highly successful career at Manchester United, where he played a crucial role in the team’s numerous domestic and European victories from 1990 to 2002. In fact, he was considered by Alex Ferguson to be his greatest signing, pound for pound.
Irwin began his career at Leeds United before moving on to Oldham Athletic and finally concluding his playing days with a two-year stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He was capped 56 times by the Republic of Ireland national team, scoring four goals and playing a key role in their journey to the second round (last 16) of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Alongside Roy Keane, he is the most successful Irish footballer in history, having won a total of 19 major trophies.
As a vital part of Manchester United’s dominant team in the 1990s, Denis Irwin had a lengthy and highly successful career.
He was a lethal set-piece taker and was often in competition with David Beckham for free-kick duties. During his 12-year tenure at Manchester United, Irwin won a multitude of silverware, including seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, a Cup Winners’ Cup, and a Champions League.
He was also an integral member of the legendary 1999 treble-winning squad.
After earning 56 caps for his country, Irwin retired from international football following a controversial statement from then-Ireland manager Brian Kerr, who told him to “go out and prove himself.”
10. Emlyn Hughes
Emlyn Hughes began his soccer career in 1964 at Blackpool before making his way to Liverpool in 1967.
Over the course of his career, Hughes played 665 games for Liverpool, captaining the team to four league titles and an FA Cup victory in the 1970s. He also led the team to two European Cup wins, including the first in the club’s history in 1977, and two UEFA Cup titles.
Hughes was recognized for his outstanding performance by being awarded the Football Writers’ Player of the Year award in 1977.
Hughes’ impressive domestic success continued when he won the League Cup with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1980, thus completing a full set of English football domestic honors.
In his time with Wolves, Hughes also played for Rotherham United, Hull City, Mansfield Town, and Swansea City.
He was also a proud member of the England national team, earning 62 caps and captaining the squad.
During his time at Liverpool, Hughes made a name for himself as a versatile midfielder and earned the nickname “Crazy Horse” for his aggressive style of play, which was highlighted by an illegal rugby tackle on Newcastle United winger Albert Bennett.
Although Liverpool did not win any honors in his first four seasons with the club, Hughes was seen as a key player for the future of the team under Shankly’s guidance.
Hughes’ impressive trophy haul includes four Division One titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups, and two European Cups during his twelve-year tenure at Anfield.
He later added a League Cup to his list of achievements during his time with the Wolves.
Honorable Mention:
- Antonio Cabrini
- Ashley Cole
- Ruud Krol
- Jose Antonio Camacho
