Alphonso Davies has been thriving this season as one of the world’s best left-backs. But the competition for the top player in this position has been up for debate.
Soccer has evolved over the years to be more tactical. That said, left backs play a crucial role. Essentially, they’re part of the defensive wall in every team and are somewhat involved offensively. A left-back is part of the defence, playing on the left side and providing protection from wingers from the opposing team.
Interesting Football ranks the best left backs in the world in the 2025/2026 season:
20. Antonee Robinson (Fulham FC, United States)
Antonee Robinson’s rise didn't go unnoticed even though his time at Everton was marred by a series of loan spells at Bolton and Wigan before his eventual move to Fulham changed the dynamics around his career.
The American soccer star is now regarded as one of the most complete left backs in the EPL. He won Fulham’s Player of the Season award in the 2023–24 season. He continued this trend the following season, where his goal contributions were remarkable.
19. Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City, Algeria)
Rayan Ait-Nouri is a player known for his approach to the game as exceptional, especially for his effortless dribbles. The fullback has been applauded for his vision and creativity.
At Manchester City, he has been a top choice for Pep Guardiola since his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Pep's decision was based on the player's intelligence and versatility.
18. David Raum (RB Leipzig, Germany)
David Raum is regarded as one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga and has been applauded for his contributions in the Leipzig defence over the last few years. The German isn't just a speed star but also a goal contributor for his team.
17. Raphaël Guerreiro (Bayern Munich, Germany)
The Portuguese star is often regarded as one of the most consistent players in the German Bundesliga for his performance at Bayern Munich. The defender joined Bavarians in 2023 and has maintained his versatility.
Raphaël Guerreiro has been occasionally deployed as a midfielder.
16. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal FC, England)
Myles Lewis-Skelly is one of the fastest rising players at Arsenal and has enjoyed a stellar start at the club. The youngster was one of the defensive revelations at the club in the 2024/25 season and has maintained his form in the 2025/26 football season despite injuries.
15. Andy Robertson (Liverpool FC, Scotland)
Liverpool might be enduring a troubled season, but Robertson has been effective for the Reds. The Scottish footballer has been shown to be a reliable player in the defence.
One-touch, reliable crossing, speed, and accurate passes are some of the few descriptions of the Liverpool defender, even though lately, he’s had some lapses, which are sometimes inevitable.
But that said, Robertson’s impact at Anfield cannot be ignored. He joined the Premier League giants from Hull City in 2017.
14. Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus FC, Italy)
Andrea Cambiaso is one of the new faces at the top level of Italian football. He is a versatile wingback who has brought solidity to the Juventus defence since making his way into the first team in the 2023–24 football season.
The Italian has the ability to play multiple roles with ease and has been consistent with it despite being a traditional fullback. He has also played in the forward positions, like on the wing, due to his flexibility.
One thing that makes him stand out is his defensive solidity and a forward mindset which enables him to comfortably adapt to multiple positions. Statistics show that his work rate has been outstanding, which makes him indispensable.
Cambiaso has been consistent and has had an impact on the Juventus defence.
13. Alvaro Carreras (Real Madrid CF, Spain)
Alvaro Carreras is one of the new faces in the Real Madrid defensive lineup and has been impressive in the team. The left back, who was a part of Real Madrid's youth academy, moved to Man United and later settled at Benfica before landing his first senior role at the Estadio Bernabéu.
Alvaro Carreras is known for his dribbling, which enables him to move in different positions on the pitch. He is known for combining his defensive solidity with attacking prowess.
Since moving to Real Madrid, he has established himself as a reliable option in the defence.
12. Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur, Italy)
Spurs has seen a significant upgrade in its defence over the years with the arrival of some top talents like Destiny Udogie, who has been impressive in the team.
The Italian youngster, whose primary position is left back, has been impactful since his arrival at the club. He was signed from Udinese, where his talents and consistency made him stand out.
Spurs under Thomas Frank have little or no worries except for injuries, as Udogie, Pedro Porro, Danso and Micky maintain a solid backline.
11. Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid CF, France)
Is Ferland still good enough for this position? Well, a series of spells on the sidelines has quashed his chances of playing at a top level for the Los Blancos this season.
The Frenchman joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2019 and has since established himself as the number-one player in the left-back position for Los Blancos.
He is a good player known for his pace, crosses, and stamina. Especially in the biggest games, the Frenchman has stood out to be a leader in the defence.
10. Milos Kerkez (Liverpool FC, Serbia)
Milos Kerkez became a household name in English football after a five-star performance at AFC Bournemouth, which aided his move to Liverpool FC.
The Serbian star is known for his tackles and ability to adapt to any system. He is a versatile player capable of playing as a left-back, left wing-back, or left midfielder.
9. Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal, France)
AC Milan’s defensive wall in the four years was solid thanks to Theo Hernandez, who was unstoppable. The Frenchman joined the Italian outfit in 2019 from Real Madrid. But now, he laces his boots for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
Theo Hernandez is known for his ability to make goal contributions. One of the highest points of his AC Milan career was helping the club reach the Champions League knockout stages.
8. Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia)
Do you remember the one-on-one with Lionel Messi at the World Cup in Qatar? Well, that was just another moment for Joško Gvardiol, who is currently in the books of Manchester City.
He has been a top target for teams in Europe. The Croatian left-back is regarded as the best young defender due to his excellent reputation in the Bundesliga and World Cup.
Joško Gvardiol is currently one of the best left backs in the English Premier League.
7. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea FC, Spain)
Marc Cucurella brought his Euro-winning mentality to Chelsea. The Spanish soccer star has continued to gather the numbers this season under Enzo Maresca. He has been involved in almost every game for the Blues.
Chelsea's stability would largely depend on the consistency of its top players, including the Spaniard, in the long run.
6. Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen, Spain)
Alejandro Grimaldo has been one of the standout players in Europe. The Spanish left back is credited for his experience and impressive statistics. He is more than a defender capable of scoring and providing assists.
Alejandro Grimaldo was on fire in the 2023/24 season, helping Bayer Leverkusen to lift the domestic double.
5. Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal FC, Italy)
Riccardo Calafiori is the next name on the list of the best left backs in the English Premier League today. He is known for his composure and creativity.
While 2024/25 wasn't the best due to injuries, he is back in the team to command his position as one of the key players for Arsenal.
4. Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan, Italy)
Federico Dimarco is arguably one of the best players at Inter Milan over the last couple of seasons.
The Italian soccer player has registered his name on the world list of best defenders year after year. Without a doubt, he is one of the key players at the club with his defensive and offensive prowess.
Most importantly, he is known for his defensive approach to the game and consistency.
3. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, Canada)
The 8-2 defeat of Barcelona at Camp Nou would be one of the greatest moments in the career of Alphonso Davies. Signed through the DC United Development setup, the Canadian rose to become a star in European football.
Alphonso Davies is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in world football due to his creativity and exceptional pace. The Canadian has established a strong presence in Bayern Munich’s defence and is currently indispensable in the team.
Davies can play as a left back or a full-back, which was evident as he’s been deployed in an attacking role consistently, especially during national team duty.
2. Alejandro Balde (FC Barcelona, Spain)
Alejandro Balde is the next player on the list. The young Spanish defender is arguably one of the best players at Barcelona.
Balde has been one of the most consistent players in the team and made his 100th appearance for Barcelona.
Although his performance at times had raised concerns amongst fans, his rapid growth shows his career is on the right track.
1. Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal)
Nuno Mendes, what potential does he have? The Portuguese defender is one of the best players in the left-back position for Paris Saint-Germain. The French giants were attracted by his impressive statistics at Sporting CP.
The Portuguese star has been part of the team since 2022. The club’s top hierarchy signed the youngster as they looked to the future.
The Parisians spent a staggering transfer fee of 40 million euros for his services. Fast forward to 2023, he is considered one of the best defenders in the French Ligue 1. Nuno Mendes makes the club defence secure for the foreseeable future.