Top 10 Best Left-Backs in the World in 2025

Top 10 Best Left-Backs in the World in 2025

Modern left backs play one of the most important roles in the team – whether they are making striving runs to get the ball higher up the pitch, performing overlaps or underlaps, or it is defending with a perfect blend of precision and discipline with a sprinkle of aggression.

It never used to be this way, however, as the left back position used to be heavily mocked and certainly never a position players would have the desire to play in. However, as the role has evolved – credit to Pep Guardiola and co, the position has become one of the more demanding roles on the field and players have to be seriously fit and energetic, as well as contributing to goals going forward to be able to fulfil the role to an elite level.

As Football Park have done with centre backs, we are now going to rank our top 10 left backs in the world at the moment. Like last time, our ranking will be based off current form, and the player’s importance to the team and their contribution to the team’s success are both also major factors.

10. Ferland Mendy – Real Madrid

Ferland Mendy may be injured at the moment, and while he has been struggling frequently with these injuries, there is no doubt that when he steps on the pitch, he has the ability to be one of the best left-backs in the world.

He is one of those full backs who just go under the radar, purely because he’s never the star or scoring big goals, but he just does his job – and he does it to an elite level.

His contributions to goals may play a part in his low ranking, but make no mistake, with his electric pace, unexpected strength and perfect positioning, it easily makes him one of the best left backs on the planet on his day.

❗️Carlo Ancelotti considers Ferland Mendy as underrated and an excellent player. Carlo was crucial is getting Mendy’s new deal done. @FabrizioRomano ✍️ pic.twitter.com/YvXY2QzIWJ

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) July 25, 2024

9. Theo Hernandez – Al-Hilal

While playing for AC Milan, Theo Hernandez was easily one of if not the best left back in the world at one stage. The way he uses his blistering pace in order to either whip in a precise cross, take a shot on goal, or to get back and defend to perfection is something admirable.

In his six seasons in Milan, he played 40+ matches in five of those seasons, tallying up an incredible 76 goal contributions – something which nowadays is a required tool for any full back to have.

Now his European chapter has ended, and he has fled to Saudi to join Al-Hilal, many fans believe he will just continue to slip down this list. But make no mistake about it, when we see France at next summer’s World Cup, he will be flying relentlessly up and down that wing, showing that he hasn’t lost his touch and class.

Theo Hernandez - Purchased for €22.8M

262 Appearances
34 Goals
45 Assists

1x Serie A title 🏆
1x Supercoppa Italiana 🏆

RATE THE TRANSFER 1-10 pic.twitter.com/nDrCjL9cBR

— Inside Milan (@_InsideMilan) July 14, 2025

8. Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen

The Spaniard has flown up this list in recent seasons due to his exceptional 2023/24 campaign with Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen – he didn’t let up much last season either. He is one of the best attacking full backs around, and he only seems to be getting better with age.

Some of the numbers Grimaldo has managed to achieve over the past few years are unheard of for a left-back, and just a couple decades ago would be considered great numbers for attacking midfielders. He managed 12 goals and 17 assists during that 2023/24 season, adding a further 16 contributions the campaign following, displaying his incredible attacking nous.

Still just 29, there is sure to be plenty more to come for the Spaniard, and with the World Cup in nine months time, he will hope to prove he is worthy of the number one spot at left back. The fact Leverkusen bought this man on a free transfer too is simply mindblowing.

Alex Grimaldo has racked up 11 goals and 15 assists from the left flank for Bayer Leverkusen this season.

A reminder that he was a free transfer this summer 💸 pic.twitter.com/XjITzDFRJD

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 19, 2024

7. Marc Cucurella – Chelsea

Easily the wildest player on the list. Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella may have some certainly interesting moments on the pitch – such as his double hiccup against Spurs last December. But there is also absolutely no doubt that this guy could also stop any attacker in the world on his day.

He showed frequent signs of struggles at Stamford Bridge when he first arrived. However, after his performance during the 2024 European Championships, this all changed as Cucurella became an absolute weapon down the left flank for the Blues.

He almost shows signs of N’golo Kanté to many Blues fans, with his relentless battling and spaniel-like running and stamina, and while he may not out-strength some deadly forwards he makes up for it in resilience and heart, and he will not lose that ball. Since this time, he has also been able to add goals to his already excellent all-round game, scoring seven goals last campaign – a number he had never got close to in one season in his whole career.

As for the Chelsea game, just wow. Cucurella can do absolutely everything.

The dream fullback for every team.

Overlaps, underlaps, drop into midfield, in the 10, in the pivot, form a 3rd centre back.

And now recently he’s been adding goal contributions. A lot of them coming… pic.twitter.com/PUCdyLdXzO

— B. (@InvertTheWing) March 10, 2025

6. Miloš Kerkez – Liverpool

The Hungarian has been highly touted for the top since his arrival at Bournemouth, so his move to Champions Liverpool over the summer was nothing less than he deserved. Under Andoni Iraola last season is where he really shone through, however, as he was winning duels and dominating at both ends of the pitch.

He played almost every minute of last season, starting every game he could, while making a significant impact whenever he had the chance to. His five assists were impressive considering he was expected just 2.58 of them, all while completing over 1,000 passes and creating 36 chances.

His creativity has been sharp, moving the ball forward with purpose before playing almost 40 successful crosses. He is no slacker defensively either, performing all defensive actions at a supreme rate each game. Now at Liverpool, he will be under the guidance of Andrew Robertson, who is no mean tutor – he will no doubt learn a lot from the Scot and the 21-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.

🇭🇺⭐️ | 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐳 (𝟐𝟏) 🆚 Cucurella [2024/25 Premier League]

Kerkez dominates in 8/9 Metrics.

✅ Chances Created
✅ Crosses Attempted
✅ Take-Ons Completed
✅ Ground Duels Won
✅ Ground Duels Success %
✅ Clearances
✅ Interceptions
✅ Ball Recoveries

𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑. pic.twitter.com/hjcCyVR6KS

— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) July 29, 2025

5. Alejandro Baldé – Barcelona

We now move on to another player who goes heavily under the radar for his importance to the team’s dynamic. Alejandro Baldé is thought by many Barca fans to have the tools to be as integral to the club as Jordi Alba once was.

He may have endured many setbacks during the 2023/24 season through injuries, however, the seasons either side he has proven his reliability by his still ever-growing defensive presence and maturity, and his tendencies to accelerate down the flank and beat anyone one on one for pace (maybe aside from our next pick).

While he might lack actual attacking and shooting instincts, he certainly makes up for it by his way to create key chances. He made 26 crosses last season, with a 91.2% pass accuracy, while maintaining good numbers for successful dribbles. Still only 21, if he can manage his injuries well enough, he definitely has a bright future ahead of him as a starting full back at the Camp Nou.

Balde has made 8 key passes, 13 successful dribbles, 23 duels won, registered 2 assists, scored 1 goal, and won one penalty in the last five games.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 😳 pic.twitter.com/7plg5P59Np

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) January 27, 2025

4. Alphonso Davies – Bayern Munich

Davies burst on to the European footballing map at just 17 when he made a massive choice to move from Vancouver to Munich. It was decision very well thought through, however, as he has only shone more year after year in southern Germany, making a name for himself as one of the best and most consistent left backs in the world, still only 24 years old.

He may be out right now through a crucial ligament injury until December, but fans and teammates alike will still hope he holds his nickname of “roadrunner” (of course given to him by none other than Thomas Müller!). His blistering pace is what sells him to anyone, but it isn’t the only quality he possesses.

His smart, well-timed runs, and awareness on the defensive end perfectly mixed with his other-worldly speed is what makes him the fourth best on this list, and very few will be able to outwit him, and even fewer will be able to outpace the Canadian.

They call him the 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 ⚡💨#MiaSanMia @AlphonsoDavies pic.twitter.com/9SJHqZ88Yz

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) November 26, 2023

3. Joško Gvardiol – Manchester City

He often dabs out and plays centre-back under Guardiola’s City, but really this man could play anywhere for them. He has got it all, from rock-solid strength, deceiving pace, and sharp defensive awareness to well-timed runs and smart finishing in the final third.

If you watch City play, one second, he is making a last-ditch clutch block and the next he is drifting up the field and having a pop-shot playing just behind the striker. The Etihad is very lucky to have the 23-year-old, and he is easily the most versatile player on this list.

His quality on the pitch never dips either, and despite a poor team performance last season, he was the outlier, still putting in solid performance's week after week. His unique playstyle allows him to stand out from the rest and enables him to shine, which certainly grants him a spot on the podium here, and, had City won any silverware last campaign he could be higher.

Josko Gvardiol is a limitless footballer, unicorn. Exactly who you want in your team (our tactical tool). His skillset is pure dynamism/range, due to his technical + physical blend.

Passing/carrying & physicality to do it from all zones, for 90 minutes. pic.twitter.com/grbwkSujFV

— AP (@APieces_) May 6, 2024

2. Federico Dimarco – Inter Milan

It was a very close call between him and Gvardiol, but we feel Dimarco deserves it overall, with his underdog story to quickly becoming one of Inter’s greats. Despite a shaky start to his career, being sold and bought back by his boyhood club before multiple loan spells, it never looked like he would break through.

But now he is shining, and the Italian has dominated that left flank for the Nerazzurri over the past few seasons. The 27-year-old was pivotal to their Champions League final runs in both 2023 and 2025, as well as their Serie A success in 2023/24.

He has bagged eight assists in each of the last three seasons and has also scored some wicked goals over recent years, showcasing his incredible attacking qualities.

"Dimarco? He is a source of pride for the entire Inter club. He was included in the top 11 of the Champions League and did the entire youth sector. We hope to have more Dimarcos in the future. It's all thanks to him, he worked so hard "

• 🗣️ | Simone Inzaghi 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/zRavBVlnGf

— Nerazzurri Society (@nerazzurriSoci_) March 12, 2024

1. Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain

Lastly, it is easily the best left back in the world at the moment. Mendes has completely dominated the role since the start of last season. He showed glimpses of what was to come in the 2022/23 season, but a long-term hamstring injury meant he spent almost a year on the sidelines, missing 58 matches.

He recovered excellently, however, and last season played in a stubborn, well-drilled PSG defence. He turned up on the big occasions too, earning an average rating of 7.7 in last season’s Champions League-winning run, scoring four goals and assisting one.

He is ranked within the top 15% of almost every single stat fbref offers too, showing his attacking capabilities he has had since he was young, having started out as an attacking midfielder. His relentless pace also allows him to fly up and down the flank returning to carry out defensive duties calmly composed and with world-class precision.