The 15 greatest left-backs in football history

October 31, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From marauding attackers to defensive stalwarts, these left-backs defined their eras and reshaped the role. Ranked from 15 to 1, this list spotlights the most influential and gifted players to ever occupy the left side of defense.

15. Andrew Robertson – Liverpool’s tireless engine

From Queen’s Park to Anfield glory, Andrew Robertson’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Signed for just £8m from Hull City, the Scotsman became a core part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League.

14. Silvio Marzolini – Argentina’s elegant trailblazer

Marzolini swapped a career in engineering for football, and Argentina is all the better for it. His calm presence, tactical sharpness, and attacking instincts brought success with Boca Juniors and admiration across South America.

13. Patrice Evra – A comeback king at Manchester United

Evra’s debut was rocky, but he quickly found his feet and became a pillar of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. With five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, the Frenchman was one of the most dynamic full-backs of his generation.

12. Denis Irwin – The quiet cornerstone of United’s dominance

Rarely flashy but always reliable, Irwin was Ferguson’s go-to man on the left for over a decade. His consistency, set-piece skill, and versatility helped him rack up seven Premier League titles and a place in football folklore.

11. Karl-Heinz Schnellinger – Germany’s international ambassador

Before the Bundesliga even existed, Schnellinger was starring for FC Köln. He became a Serie A legend with AC Milan and a key player for West Germany, famously scoring in the 1970 World Cup semi-final against Italy.

10. Antonio Cabrini – Italy’s attacking pioneer

Revered by Paolo Maldini himself, Cabrini brought a modern edge to defending. A Juventus icon and a World Cup winner with Italy in 1982, he blended tactical nous with daring runs up the left flank.

9. Ashley Cole – London’s finest full-back

Whether at Arsenal or Chelsea, Ashley Cole was always top-class. One of the most consistent defenders in Premier League history, he racked up titles on both sides of the capital and shone in Europe with a Champions League win in 2012.

8. Andreas Brehme – The two-footed World Cup match-winner

Brehme’s technique was so refined, he could take penalties and free-kicks with either foot. His coolest moment came in 1990 when he slotted home the winning penalty in the World Cup final for West Germany.

7. Marcelo – Real Madrid’s creative magician

Few defenders have had the flair and imagination of Marcelo. A mainstay in Real Madrid’s golden era, he collected five Champions League trophies and dazzled fans with his attacking verve and technical brilliance.

6. Roberto Carlos – The thunderbolt from Brazil

With raw pace, power, and a rocket of a left foot, Roberto Carlos was a constant menace. His legendary free-kicks and relentless drive helped Real Madrid to European glory and Brazil to a World Cup title in 2002.

5. Ruud Krol – The complete Dutch defender

Krol defined versatility and calm under pressure, becoming a key figure in Ajax’s European dynasty and the Netherlands’ Total Football revolution. He was as comfortable in possession as he was shutting down attackers.

4. Nilton Santos – The father of the modern full-back

One of the first to attack from deep, Nilton Santos was a revolutionary presence in Brazil’s golden era. With two World Cups and a poet’s touch, he reimagined what a left-back could be.

3. Giacinto Facchetti – The stylish symbol of Inter

Facchetti was a towering, elegant figure who brought grace to defense and leadership to Inter Milan. As a key part of Italy’s 1968 European Championship triumph, he remains a revered figure in the game.

2. Paul Breitner – Germany’s bold, brilliant rebel

A thinker on and off the pitch, Breitner shone for Bayern and Real Madrid. With a World Cup title and multiple domestic trophies, his fierce intelligence and technical excellence stood out in a golden age of German football.

1. Paolo Maldini – The greatest left-back of all time

Maldini was the complete package: composed, intelligent, and fiercely competitive. A one-club man for AC Milan, his 25-year career set the benchmark for defenders everywhere—an icon of class and longevity.