To describe someone as one of the best left-backs in the world used to be damning them with faint praise. Left-back used to be where you'd stick the worst player on the team. No left foot? No problem; left-back was the spot for anyone who didn't have a specific job.
Well, times have changed: full-backs are no longer the forgotten men. With Euro 2024 upon us, our team of experts assessed the top players in this position, from the technically blessed to the best in form, taking ability and historic level into account.
Get on X and tweet us @FourFourTwo to tell how many of our 10 you agree with – and check out our other lists.
We've ranked the best goalkeepers on Earth at current, while in defence, we've ranked the best centre-backs in the world, the best right-backs in the world and the best centre-backs in the world.
We've also listed the best defensive midfielders in the world, while these are the best central midfielders in the world and these are the best attacking midfielders in the world.
We also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world.
Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world: 10. Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur and Italy)
After a loan stint at Udinese last season, Udogie enjoyed a productive first season in the Tottenham line-up as the 21-year-old emerged as one of the best young left-backs in the Premier League. Spurs’ system has granted him license to push forward and assist the attacking player, with the Italian’s defensive acumen meaning that he rarely got caught out of position.
While a hamstring injury has denied him a place at Euro 2024 with Italy, it feels like there will be plenty more to come from the former Hellas Verona star.
9. Lucas Hernandez (Paris Saint-Germain and France)
A knee injury suffered in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund has robbed Lucas of the chance of going to the Euros alongside his brother Theo with France, and comes after he suffered another serious knee injury 13 minutes into Les Bleus' 2022 World Cup tilt.
His country will miss his defensive solidarity, with the 28-year-old able to operate at centre-back, while his big-game experience from a club career with Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG will also be a loss for Didier Deschamps.
8. Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan and Italy)
A key part of Inter Milan’s dominant Serie title win this season, Dimarco heads to Euro 2024 as perhaps the best of Italy’s collection of excellent full-backs.
A return of five goals and six assists only tells half the story when it comes to his bursts down the flank, while he is also a reliable defender and a threat from set-pieces. A goal from near the halfway line in November against Frosinone shows how alert he can be.
7. Alejandro Balde (Barcelona and Spain)
A hamstring injury suffered in January has denied Balde the opportunity to compete for a place in Spain’s Euro 2024 starting line-up this summer. Before his season-ending surgery, the 20-year-old had firmly established himself in Barcelona’s starting XI and he looks to have an extremely bright future.
Fast, an excellent dribbler and in possession of solid defensive skills, he is exactly the kind of player the club will look to build around in the coming years.
6. Andrew Robertson (Liverpool and Scotland)
A reliable presence on the left-hand side of the Liverpool defence for the past seven seasons, Robertson’s indefatigable runs into the opponent’s half have been key to the Reds winning a slew of domestic and European honours in recent years. As well as this relentless energy and ability to get the ball into the box, Robertson’s defensive acumen is up there with the best players in his position.
His leadership skills will be on display this summer when the 30-year-old captains Scotland at Euro 2024 in Germany.
5. Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid and France)
The 28-year-old will head to Euro 2024 with France this month fresh from winning his third La Liga title and second Champions League with Real Madrid.
Mendy brings energy and drive to Madrid’s left flank with his comfort on the ball giving him all of the key traits that a modern full-back needs. With just one year left on his current deal at the Bernabeu, there are questions over his future, with a host of Premier League sides linked in recent weeks.
4. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich and Canada)
One of North America’s best European imports, Canada international Davies’ six seasons at Bayern Munich have seen him use his lightning-hast pace and dribbling ability to become one of the best players in his position.
Still only 23, Davis has five Bundesliga winners’ medals and also won the 2020 Champions League with the German giants. His displays have placed him on the radar of the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea as he enters the final year of his contract at Bayern.
3. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City and Croatia)
Manchester City made the 22-year-old the second-most expensive defender of all-time when they paid €90 million for his services last summer and by the end of the season, it looked like money well spent. Now, he's set to tear up the Euros with Croatia.
Defensively, Gvardiol is superb, combining physicality with excellent positional sense, traits he often displays when playing at centre-back. The Croatian’s attacking talent was on display during the Premier League run-in as he netted four goals and served up two assists in City’s last seven games.
2. Theo Hernandez (Milan and France)
Powerful and pacy, Theo Hernandez will often set the attacking tone for his side with his marauding runs down the left flank. After struggling to break into the Real Madrid side, it was his 2019 move to Milan that would prove to be the making of him as he quickly matured into one of the best and most reliable left-backs on the planet. His size has seen him fill in at centre-back in Serie A this season, adding another string to his bow.
Is yet to truly translate his club performances to the international stage, something he will look to put right this summer at Euro 2024.
1. Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen and Spain)
Grimaldo heads to Euro 2024 with Spain on the back of a sensational season with Xabi Alonso’s all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side in which he registered double figures in both goals and assists, confirming his status as perhaps the best attacking left-back currently in the game.
His crossing ability, set-piece prowess and finishing make him a threat in the opponents’ half, but not at the expense of the former Barcelona youth product’s defensive solidarity. Yet to play any senior football in Spain after signing for Benfica as a 20-year-old before last summer’s free transfer to Leverkusen.
