Best 10 Left Backs in the World Football in 2023-2024

Explore the world of the best left backs in the world. From emerging talents to experienced pros, these players redefine their role with exceptional skills and contributions. Delve into their impressive statistics, club histories, and international achievements. Discover how these dynamic left-backs make their mark on domestic leagues and global tournaments, captivating fans with their remarkable performances.

Best Left Back Footballer in the World

10. Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan/Italy):

• Full name: Federico Dimarco
• Date of birth: 10 November 1997
• Place of birth: Milan, Italy
• Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
• Number: 32

Clubs Played for:

Federico Dimarco started at Inter Milan’s youth academy and made his debut for the club on December 11, 2014, at the age of just 17.

He went on loan to Serie B club Ascoli in January 2016 and later to Empoli in August 2016. On June 30 2017, Dimarco moved to Sion for €3.91 million. However, Inter exercised their buy-back option on July 5, 2018, and brought him back for €7 million.

In 2013, he played for Italy’s under-17 team and helped them secure second place at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He received a call-up to the senior Italy squad for the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals.

Federico Dimarco 2022/2023 Season Stats:

9. Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid/France):

• Full name: Ferland Sinna Mendy
• Date of birth: 8 June 1995
• Place of birth: Meulan-en-Yvelines, France
• Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
• Number: 23

Clubs Played for:

On June 12, 2019, Mendy joined La Liga’s Real Madrid on a six-year contract, initially costing €48 million.

Mendy received his first call-up to the French senior team when Benjamin Mendy had to withdraw due to injury, for the matches against Netherlands and Uruguay

Ferland Mendy 2022/2023 Season Stats:

8. João Cancelo (Manchester City/Portugal):

• Full name: João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo
• Date of birth: 27 May 1994
• Place of birth: Barreiro, Portugal
• Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
• Number: 7

Clubs Played for:

João Cancelo’s football journey began in Barreiro, Setúbal District, where he started playing for the local club Barreirense. He joined Benfica’s youth system in 2007 at the age of 13. His debut with Benfica’s first team occurred on July 28, 2012, in a friendly match against Gil Vicente.

On August 7, 2019, as Cancelo signed a six-year contract with Manchester City in the Premier League. The deal, valued at £27.4 million, also saw Danilo’s transfer to Juventus, forming a part-exchange agreement amounting to £60 million. This record-setting move established Cancelo as the most expensive right-back in history.

While at Manchester City, he initially faced challenges finding his place in the team during his first season, struggling to secure a regular starting position.

Subsequently, on January 31, 2023, Cancelo embarked on a loan to Bayern Munich for the remainder of the season, with an option for a permanent acquisition at €70 million. During his debut for Bayern Munich, he contributed an assist in a 4–0 DFB-Pokal win against Mainz 05.

Cancelo’s journey with the senior national team began when he was called up for the first time on August 26, 2016, by head coach Fernando Santos. In a significant achievement, Cancelo earned a spot in the final 26-man squad for the 2023 World Cup.

João Cancelo 2022/2023 Season Stats:

7. Nathan Aké (Manchester City/Netherlands):

• Full name: Nathan Benjamin Aké
• Date of birth: 18 February 1995
• Place of birth: The Hague, Netherlands
• Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
• Number: 6

Clubs Played for:

Nathan Benjamin Aké, born on February 18, 1995, is a Dutch professional footballer who plays a vital role for the Premier League club Manchester City.

At just 15, Aké made a significant move by joining Chelsea’s youth system from Feyenoord in 2010. His journey began even earlier, at the age of 12, when he switched from ADO Den Haag to Feyenoord.

Aké’s notable Premier League debut happened on December 26, 2012, when he was just 17 years old, playing against Norwich City.

A significant moment came on August 5, 2020, when Aké signed a five-year contract with Manchester City for £41 million. Under his presence, the club achieved an impressive continental treble in the same year. His commitment was further confirmed when he extended his contract until 2027.

In 2017, Aké made his senior international debut during a friendly match against Morocco, representing the Netherlands on the global stage.

Nathan Ake 2022/2023 Season Stats:

6. Alejandro Balde (Barcelona/Spain):

• Full name: Alejandro Balde Martínez
• Date of birth: 18 October 2003
• Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain
• Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
• Number: 3

Clubs Played for:

Alejandro Balde Martínez, born on October 18, 2003, is a Spanish professional footballer. Ranked 6th on our list, he is widely recognized as one of the most promising young left-backs globally.

Born in Barcelona, Balde joined FC Barcelona in 2011 at the age of eight, after initially starting out with RCD Espanyol.

Starting from the 2022–23 season, Coach Xavi assigned Balde a more important role, leading him to play more league matches than Jordi Alba and participating in significant games.

A surprise came when Balde received a last-minute call to join the Spain national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, filling in for the injured left-back José Gayà.

Alejandro Balde 2022/2023 Season Stats:

5. Luke Shaw (Manchester United/England):

• Full name: Luke Paul Hoare Shaw
• Date of birth: 12 July 1995
• Place of birth: Kingston upon Thames, England
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
• Number: 23

Clubs Played for:

Luke Paul Hoare Shaw, born on July 12, 1995, is an English professional footballer. He is a vital player for the Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. Shaw is recognized as one of the best left-backs in the English Premier League.

Shaw’s football journey began in 2002 when he joined the Southampton Academy at the age of seven.

On June 27, 2014, Shaw signed a four-year contract with Manchester United. This transfer, from Southampton, came with an undisclosed fee of approximately £30 million, making him the most expensive teenage footballer in the world.

On April 4, 2023, Manchester United announced Shaw’s commitment with a new four-year contract, ensuring his tenure with the team until June 2027.

Luke Shaw 2022/2023 Season Stats:

4. Andrew Robertson (Liverpool/Scotland):

• Full name: Andrew Robertson
• Date of birth: 11 March 1994
• Place of birth: Glasgow, Scotland
• Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
• Number: 26

Clubs Played for:

Andrew Henry Robertson, born on March 11, 1994, is a Scottish professional footballer known for his position as a left-back

Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City for an initial fee of £8 million. He made his debut on August 19, contributing to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace and earning the Man of the Match award.

In 2019, Robertson won his first-ever Champions League title by defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the finals. He became the first Scottish player to win the tournament since Darren Fletcher.

During the 2022-23 season, Robertson set a record by becoming the defender with the most assists in Premier League history.

His journey started early when he was selected for Scotland’s under-21 team in October 2013. Recognizing his leadership qualities, Robertson was appointed as Scotland’s captain by manager Alex McLeish on September 3, 2018.

Andrew Robertson 2022/2023 Season Stats:

3. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal/Ukraine):

• Full name: Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Zinchenko
• Date of birth: 15 December 1996
• Place of birth: Radomyshl, Ukraine
• Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
• Number: 35

Clubs Played for:

Here are the top 3 best left back football players in the world, according to our list. On the 3rd is Zinchenko.

On July 22, 2022, Zinchenko signed a long-term contract with Premier League team Arsenal for approximately £30 million. The deal also includes potential add-ons that could reach £32 million. He made his debut on August 5, making 1 assist in a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.

Before coming to Arsenal, he played for Manchester City and UFA, and also had a loan spell at PSV.

Zinchenko made his international debut in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Spain on October 12, 2015.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 2022/2023 Season Stats:

2. Théo Hernandez (AC Milan/France):

• Full name: Théo Bernard François Hernandez
• Date of birth: 6 October 1997
• Place of birth: Marseille, France
• Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
• Number: 19

Clubs Played for:

Theo Hernández is ranked as the second-best left back in the world on our list. Theo Hernández joined AC Milan on July 6, 2019. In 2007, at the age of 7, Hernandez joined Atlético Madrid’s academy.

He made a significant move to a Serie A club from Spanish giant Real Madrid in a substantial deal worth up to €20 million.

In 2021, he had his first chance to play for the France senior team. He made his debut on September 7 2021, in a World Cup qualifier against Finland, and France won 2-0.

Théo Hernandez 2022/2023 Season Stats:

1.  Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich/Canada):

• Full name: Alphonso Boyle Davies
• Date of birth: November 2, 2000
• Place of birth: Buduburam, Ghana
• Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
• Number: 19

Clubs Played for:

In our list of the best left back footballers in the world, Alphonso Davies is ranked 1. He joined FC Bayern München on January 1, 2019.

Davies made his Bundesliga first-team debut against Union Berlin in a 2-1 home win.

He made his first UEFA Champions League start on November 6, 2019, in a 2-0 victory against Olympiacos. Davies finished third in the 2020 Golden Boy award, behind Erling Haaland and Ansu Fati.

Alphonso Davies 2022/2023 Season Stats: