All-time best: Top 15 left-backs in the world in 2023 ranked

Full-backs are no longer considered unsung heroes on the football field. Indeed, several of the players on this list are critical to their club's and country's success; these are the best left-backs in the world. They are not only defenders but also indispensable forwards, creators, scorers, set-piece takers, and all-rounders.

A left-back takes up wide positions, particularly on the left side of the field, and has traditionally remained in defence. Who among the best left-backs in the world makes it in our top 15? The following is a list of the best left-backs in the world.

The best left-backs in the world in 2023

Consolidating the most recent stats and records, we have compiled a comprehensive post listing the best left-back football players. They are listed according to their pass success percentage.

15. Kieran Tierney

• Full name: Kieran Tierney
• Date of birth: 5 June 1997
• Age: 25 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Douglas, Isle of Man
• Current team: Arsenal F.C.
• Pass success percentage: 79

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Arsenal paid $30 million for Kieran Tierney's transfer from Celtic. The Arsenal left-back has scored three goals and provided ten assists. Tierney is one of the Gunners' most dangerous threats moving forward. In the 2021/22 season, he averages one accurate cross and 1.2 critical passes.

With Arsenal, Kieran Tierney won two trophies: the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. Before joining Arsenal, the 24-year-old played 170 appearances for Celtic, scoring eight goals and assisting 37 others, making him one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

14. Lucas Digne

• Full name: Lucas Digne
• Date of birth: 20 July 1993
• Age: 29 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Meaux, France
• Current team: Aston Villa
• Pass success percentage: 79.1

Lucas Digne is a French professional soccer player who plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League. He has also represented France at the international level, making his debut in 2014.

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He is known for his excellent technical ability, tactical awareness, and crossing ability. Lucas Digne is a versatile player who can play full-back positions and midfield. He has won several trophies in his career, including two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain.

13. Marcos Acuña

• Full name: Marcos Javier Acuña
• Date of birth: 28 October 1991
• Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Zapala, Argentina
• Current team: Sevilla FC
• Pass success percentage: 79.2

Marcos Javier Acuña is a professional footballer from Argentina. He plays for Sevilla FC as a left-back. He has also represented Argentina on the international stage, winning the Copa America in 2021.

He is known for his attacking style and versatility, having played in various positions throughout his career. He is a highly respected member of the footballing world and has won numerous individual awards throughout his career.

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12. Theo Hernandez

• Full name: Théo Bernard François Hernandez
• Date of birth: 6 October 1997
• Age: 25 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Marseille, France
• Current team: A.C. Milan
• Pass success percentage: 81.8

Theo Hernandez joined AC Milan in 2019 from Real Madrid and has played a significant role in the club's recent comeback. Hernandez is an Atletico Madrid youth product who can also play as a centre-back or a full-back.

In 2021, Hernandez was projected to average 8.15 progressive carries and 4.15 progressive passes per 90 minutes. He completes two dribbles per 90 seconds, indicating his offensive threat. He won the UEFA Nations League with France and three medals with Real Madrid, including the UEFA Champions League.

11. Ben Chilwell

• Full name: Benjamin James Chilwell
• Date of birth: 21 December 1996
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
• Current team: Chelsea
• Pass success percentage: 83

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Ben Chilwell signed Chelsea from Leicester City for $50 million ahead of 2020-21. Since joining the Blues, the left-back has won the UEFA Champions League. He has appeared in 54 games for the London club, scoring seven goals and assisting eight others.

Chilwell is one of the world's top attacking left-backs. Per game, he averages three shot-creating actions and four shots. His xG + xA of 1.1 without penalties places him among the top players throughout Europe's top five leagues. Chilwell is among the best left-backs of all time

10. Andrew Robertson

• Full name: Andrew Henry Robertson
• Date of birth: 11 March 1994
• Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Glasgow, United Kingdom
• Current team: Liverpool
• Pass success percentage: 84

Andrew Robertson has played a significant role in Liverpool's recent success. He has appeared in 249 games for the Reds, scoring eight goals.

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At the club level, Robertson has won the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Champions League, as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2019. He is also known for being an advocate for Mental Health awareness and has been recognised for his work in the field as one of the best LB FIFA.

9. Jose Gaya

• Full name: José Luis Gayà Peña
• Date of birth: 25 May 1995
• Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Pedreguer, Spain
• Current team: Valencia
• Pass success percentage: 84.2

Jose Gaya is a Valencia academy product who has risen to become the club's captain. He has appeared in 273 games, scoring eight goals and assisting 33 others. During the 2018-19 season, Jose Gaya won the Spanish Cup with the club.

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8. Nuno Mendes

• Full name: Nuno Alexandre Tavares Mendes
• Date of birth: 19 June 2002
• Age: 20 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Sintra, Portugal
• Current team: Paris Saint-Germain
• Pass success percentage: 84.9

Nuno Mendes is presently on loan from Sporting Lisbon to Paris Saint-Germain. The 20-year-old is one of Europe's most exciting left-back prospects. Additionally, Mendes has made 12 appearances for Portugal's team and has a bright future ahead of him.

Mendes' defence is strong. He has an 84.9 per cent pass completion rate demonstrating his potential to move ahead. He has won the Portuguese league, the League Cup, and the Super Cup.

7. Luke Shaw

• Full name: Luke Paul Shaw
• Date of birth: 12 July 1995
• Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
• Current team: Manchester United
• Pass success percentage: 85.1

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Luke Shaw of Manchester United has improved significantly in recent seasons. He has established himself as one of the Premier League's greatest England left-backs and contributed to England's UEFA Euro 2020 final run. Shaw finished last season with two goals and nine assists.

Shaw has been outstanding going forward. In 2021, Luke Shaw averaged 3.76 shot-producing actions per game, 6.71 progressive carries, and 3.23 progressive passes. Shaw has also been solid defensively over the last year.

6. Raphael Guerreiro

• Full name: Raphaël Adelino José Guerreiro
• Date of birth: 22 December 1993
• Age: 29 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Le Blanc-Mesnil, France
• Current team: Borussia Dortmund
• Pass success percentage: 85.2

Raphael Guerreiro has played a pivotal role for Borussia Dortmund, having joined from FC Lorient in 2016 for $14 million. He has appeared in 209 games for the Bundesliga club, scoring 37 goals and assisting on 33 occasions.

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With the national team, Raphaël Adelino won the UEFA Euro and UEFA Nations League, two German Cups, and one German Super Cup with Borussia Dortmund.

5. João Cancelo

• Full name: João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo
• Date of birth: 27 May 1994
• Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Barreiro, Portugal
• Current team: Bayern Munich
• Pass success percentage: 86.3

Joao Pedro is a professional soccer player from Portuguese. He is a creative, technically gifted player with great passing ability and has become an integral part of the Bayern Munich team. He is considered to be one of the best left-back ever in the world.

4. Grimaldo

• Full name: Alejandro "Álex" Grimaldo García
• Date of birth: 20 September 1995
• Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Valencia, Spain
• Current team: Benfica
• Pass success percentage: 86.3

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Grimaldo García is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for both the Spanish national team and the Portuguese club Benfica. He is renowned for his technical ability, creativity, and attacking prowess, which has made him integral to Benfica's attack.

He is also known for his superb passing and crossing ability and his ability to read the game and make important interceptions. Grimaldo has already been part of some impressive teams, including the Spanish under-21 side that won the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

3. Alphonso Davies

• Full name: Alphonso Boyle Davie
• Date of birth: 2 November 2000
• Age: 22 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Buduburam, Ghana
• Current team: Bayern Munich
• Pass success percentage: 86.8

Alphonso Davies burst into the European scene with his electrifying performances for Bayern Munich during their triumphant run in the 2020-21 UCL. The Canadian is one of the world's most gifted young players and is already a world-class left-back worth his weight in gold.

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The 22-year-old has appeared in 138 matches for the club, scoring seven goalsDavies averages 5.49 progressive passes, 9.73 progressive carries, and 3.26 successful dribbles per game. Alphonso Davies is one of the best young LB FIFA.

He has already won one UEFA Champions League and three Bundesliga crowns with the German club and numerous other honours.

2. Jordi Alba

• Full name: Jordi Alba Ramos
• Date of birth: 21 March 1989
• Age: 33 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
• Current team: Barcelona
• Pass success percentage: 88

Jordi Alba Ramos is a professional Spanish footballer who plays for Barcelona and the Spanish national team. He plays mainly as a left-back but can also operate as a left-winger. He is known for his speed, passing ability, and crossing accuracy and is considered one of the best left-backs in the world.

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1. Ferland Mendy

• Full name: Ferland Sinna Mendy
• Date of birth: 8 June 1995
• Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
• Place of birth: Meulan-en-Yvelines, France
• Current team: Real Madrid
• Pass success percentage: 92.6

Real Madrid acquired Ferland Mendy for $53 million from Olympique Lyonnais. The left-back has made 129 appearances for the La Liga champions, scoring five goals.

He is known for his pace and defensive capabilities as a left-back. Mendy is also renowned for his ball control and passing ability, which makes him a key player in the Madrid squad.

Top 15 left-backs in the world in 2023 ranked

Below is a table of the top left-backs in the world ranked according to their pass success percentage.

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The best left-backs in the world vary from time to time, depending on their overall performances. The nature of how they play varies from time to time, producing stunning performances out of the blue.

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