Best Left Backs in the World Right Now: The left-back position has become very important in modern football. It requires good defense, attacking skills, and athletic ability. In 2024, many great left-backs have shown their talents, making a big impact in their leagues and helping their teams succeed.
How Do We Rank The Best Left-Backs?
Tactics: 40%.
Physical and Technical: 60%.
Best Left Backs in the World Right Now
In this article, we will look at some of the best left-backs in the world right now who deserve to be recognized among the top players in football.
10. Ferland Mendy
- Date of Birth: 8 June 1995
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 10 among the best left-backs in the world is Ferland Mendy. He plays for Real Madrid and is strong and reliable.
Mendy is good at defending and also helps with attacks. His speed and strength make him effective in one-on-one situations. He often makes overlapping runs and delivers good crosses.
Mendy has become a regular starter, even taking Marcelo’s spot. Some Real Madrid fans have mixed feelings about him, but it’s impressive that he’s a key player at just 29 years old. He has a bright future and has already proven himself.
9. Rayan Aït-Nouri
- Date of Birth: 6 June 2001
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Left-back, left wing-back
At number 9 among the best left-backs in the world is Rayan Aït-Nouri. He plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and is a promising young talent. He is known for his speed, technical skills, and ability to cross the ball. He can link up with forwards and create scoring chances while also performing well defensively.
Aït-Nouri has shown great talent and potential at a young age. He is strong, quick, and good at defending. His ability to contribute to the team’s goals makes him a valuable player. He started his career at Angers before moving to Wolves on loan, where he impressed everyone.
Recently, Aït-Nouri made his 100th competitive appearance for Wolves in a 4–2 win against Chelsea, scoring the team’s second goal in the match. He continues to grow and develop as a player.
8. Alejandro Balde
- Date of Birth: 18 October 2003
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 8 among the best left-backs in the world is Alejandro Balde. He is a young star from Barcelona, known for his speed, composure, and technical skills. Despite being young, he plays a key role in Barcelona’s defense and shows maturity beyond his years.
At just 19 years old, Balde is seen as the successor to long-time left-back Jordi Alba. He came through La Masia, Barcelona’s youth academy, and has the potential to become one of the best left-backs in the world.
One of Balde’s strengths is his defending, especially his ability to win the ball back. His speed helps him counter the opposing team’s attacks. This season, his passing and assisting have been excellent, greatly supporting his team’s offense.
7. Alejandro Grimaldo
- Date of Birth: 20 September 1995
- Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 7 among the best left-backs in the world is Alejandro Grimaldo. He plays for Bayer Leverkusen and is known for his attacking style and creativity. His strong left foot helps him deliver dangerous crosses and set pieces, making him a key player in attacks.
He joined Benfica in 2016 after playing for Barcelona’s B team. In May 2023, he signed with Bayer Leverkusen. He debuted in August and scored his first goal with a free kick against Bayern Munich.
Grimaldo ended his first season at Leverkusen as the Bundesliga’s top assist provider with 13 assists. He has a lot of experience and has performed well in the Champions League.
6. Destiny Udogie
- Date of Birth: 28 November 2002
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 6 among the best left-backs in the world is Destiny Udogie. He is a young and talented player for Tottenham Hotspur, known for his athleticism and hard work.
Udogie contributes to both defense and attack, using his dribbling skills and speed to take on defenders effectively. Many believe he has the potential to become one of the best left-backs in the world.
Udogie played well for Udinese in Serie A, catching the attention of top clubs. Tottenham signed him in August 2022, thinking he will be an important player for them in the future.
However, 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 performance-related add-ons of up to £6 million.
5. Federico Dimarco
- Date of Birth: 10 November 1997
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position(s): Left wing-back
At number 5 among the best left-backs in the world is Federico Dimarco. He plays for Inter Milan and is known for his accurate crossing and smart play.
Dimarco balances his defensive duties while also contributing to attacks, making him important for the team. He is a left-footed defender who can also play on the right.
Dimarco is fast, strong, and skilled at shooting from a distance. His speed helps him create chances with his crosses, but some say he can improve defensively.
He is also a regular for the Italian national team and played in all their matches at the UEFA Nations League. If he keeps performing well, he could become one of the best left-backs in the world.
4. Alphonso Davies
- Date of Birth: November 2, 2000
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 4 among the best left-backs in the world is Alphonso Davies. Playing for Bayern Munich, he is known for his incredible speed and dribbling skills.
Davies frequently overlaps with wingers to create scoring chances, making him a vital part of the team’s attack.
At just 23 years old, Davies has already made a significant impact in football, earning the nickname “The Roadrunner” for his pace and creativity. He joined Bayern in 2019 from the Vancouver Whitecaps and quickly became one of the top full-backs in the world. He helped Bayern win a treble in the 2019-20 season and was a finalist for the Golden Boy award that year.
Born in Ghana and raised in Canada, Davies became the youngest player to score for the Canadian national team and has been named CONCACAF Men’s Player of the Year twice. He scored Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal in 2022 and is recognized as a key player for his national team.
Davies is also the first Canadian to serve as an ambassador for the UN refugee agency, highlighting his impact both on and off the field.
3. Nuno Mendes
- Date of Birth: 19 June 2002
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 3 among the best left-backs in the world is Nuno Mendes. The 21-year-old has quickly made a name for himself at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) with his speed, technical skills, and maturity on the ball. He is an essential part of the PSG lineup, contributing both defensively and offensively.
Mendes has played 19 matches for Portugal’s national team, showcasing his potential on the international stage. He is known for his ability to dribble past defenders and create problems for opposing teams, especially when teaming up with PSG’s attacking stars.
Under coach Christophe Galtier, Mendes has been assigned to the left side of the field, forming a strong defensive partnership with Achraf Hakimi on the right. Together, they pose a significant challenge for any opponent.
During Euro 2024 qualifying, Mendes assisted Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6-0 victory against Luxembourg. Although he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for part of the campaign, he has since returned to help Portugal advance in the tournament. His impressive performances indicate a bright future ahead in his career.
2. Theo Hernández
- Date of Birth: 6 October 1997
- Height: 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
- Position(s): Left-back
At number 2 among the best left-backs in the world is Theo Hernández. The 28-year-old is known for his explosive pace and dribbling skills, making him a key player for AC Milan. He consistently supports the attack, providing width on the left flank, and his powerful left foot enables him to deliver accurate crosses and create scoring opportunities.
Since moving to AC Milan from Real Madrid, Hernández has excelled in Serie A, showcasing his speed, game vision, and defensive capabilities. He played a crucial role in the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals, scoring the winning penalty in a shootout against Portugal.
Nicknamed “the Train” for his remarkable pace, Hernández had an impressive season, playing 46 matches in Serie A, scoring 5 goals, and providing 11 assists. With his talent and performances, he continues to establish himself as one of the best in his position, and his potential remains limitless.
1. Josko Gvardiol
- Date of Birth: 23 January 2002
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Position(s): Centre-back, left-back
At number 1 among the best left-backs in the world is Josko Gvardiol. The talented player has quickly made a name for himself at Manchester City, showcasing his versatility as both a left-back and center-back. He is known for his strong tackling, aerial ability, and excellent ball skills. He is crucial to his team’s defense while also contributing to their attacking plays.
A youth star from Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol debuted professionally in 2019 and won two league titles and a Croatian Cup before moving to RB Leipzig in 2021. There, he added two DFB-Pokals to his awards. In 2023, he was signed by Manchester City for a record £77 million, making him the most expensive defender in football history.
Gvardiol has represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2024, helping Croatia secure third place in the latter tournament. His impressive performances have solidified his status as one of the top left-backs in the game today.