Summary Nuno Mendes tops the list as the best left-back in world football thanks to his attacking role at PSG. New Liverpool and Man City signings Milos Kerkez and Rayan Ait-Nouri make the list. Federico Dimarco shines for Inter, shutting down Lamine Yamal on route to the 2025 Champions League final.
There have been some iconic left-backs in previous generations – from AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and free-kick specialist Roberto Carlos to Premier League greats like Ashley Cole.
Previously, a top left-back was a world-class defender who could also chip in with the odd goal going forward. Now, we have a new up-and-coming class of attacking left-backs who are crucial to their team’s build-up play, but who is the best in the world right now?
Ranking factors
To help rank the left-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:
Current form – how well a player has been performing Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others are saying about them 15 Marc Cucurella Chelsea and Spain
The Premier League has plenty of impressive left-backs, and Marc Cucurella has been making his mark at Stamford Bridge over the last 12 months.
Now one of the first names on the teamsheet under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has shown why Chelsea splashed the cash on him from Brighton back in 2022.
Maresca called Cucurella “very important” and even wants seven players like him in his Blues side.
European Championship
2024
Club World Cup
2025
Europa Conference League
2025
Copa del Rey
2018
14 Rayan Ait-Nouri Man City and Algeria
New Man City signing Rayan Ait-Nouri is another who has been catching the eye at former employers Wolves in recent seasons.
The 24-year-old now holds a career-high €35m Transfermarkt valuation and hit double figures for Premier League goal contributions in what has been a struggling Wolves side.
13 Destiny Udogie Tottenham and Italy
Spurs have seemingly struck gold after signing Destiny Udogie from Udinese, with the Italian’s market value more than doubling since moving to north London.
Once called “the most underrated player in the Premier League” by Paul Merson and a full-back who “has everything” by Luciano Spalletti, Udogie, who is still just 22, may only get better in the coming years.
12 Ferland Mendy Real Madrid and France
Ferland Mendy has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but when fully fit, is one of the best left-backs around in Europe.
The Frenchman has made more than 200 appearances for Real Madrid since signing from Lyon and was dubbed a “quiet force” by fellow teammate and countryman Kylian Mbappe. Carlo Ancelotti called him “the best in the world”, however, his lack of attacking output has him low down the list.
Champions League
2022, 2024
La Liga
2021
Nations League
2021
Copa del Rey
2023
UEFA Super Cup
2022, 2024
Spanish Super Cup
2020, 2022, 2024
11 Theo Hernandez Al-Hilal and France
Since leaving Real Madrid for AC Milan in 2019, Theo Hernandez has gone from strength to strength and has earned the praise of legendary left-back Paolo Maldini, who hailed the Frenchman as “special”.
Hernandez, who sealed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in 2025, also has the blistering pace required to get back from attacking phases and show his defensive qualities.
Champions League
2018
Serie A
2022
Nations League
2021
FIFA Club World Cup
2018
UEFA Super Cup
2017
Spanish Super Cup
2017
Italian Super Cup
2025
10 Andrea Cambiaso Juventus and Italy
Arguably a player who has been going under the radar is Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso. Labelled as an attacking left-wing back with “world-class” vision and “elite passing ability”, the 25-year-old’s Transfermarkt valuation has rocketed to €35m.
Previously linked with Man City, Cambiaso, who actually doesn’t have a weak foot, could soon be the next star left-back to try his luck in the Premier League.
Coppa Italia
2024
Serie B
2021
9 Alvaro Carreras Real Madrid and Spain
Part of Real Madrid’s youth set-up from 2017 to 2020 before joining Man Utd, Alvaro Carreras is now back at the Bernabeu after impressing for Benfica in recent seasons.
Madrid paid €50m and gave Carreras a six-year contract, and he has slotted straight into Xabi Alonso’s defence.
Taca da Liga
2025
8 Myles Lewis-Skelly Arsenal and England
Another impressive youngster starring on the big stage has been Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal. The Englishman has even featured as a left-back under Thomas Tuchel with England, despite coming through the Gunners academy as a midfielder.
Mikel Arteta has used the 19-year-old as a left-back at the Emirates, and Jamie Carragher has even compared Lewis-Skelly’s “football arrogance” to Jude Bellingham and Wayne Rooney.
7 Milos Kerkez Liverpool and Hungary
Milos Kerkez only cost Bournemouth £15m from AZ Alkmaar back in 2023, and the Cherries made a nice profit on the left-back who has joined Liverpool.
The Hungarian is already on his way to the top, so it’s no surprise to see the Reds come in for “one of the most talented left-backs in world football”.
6 Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal and Italy
Riccardo Calafiori now appears to have taken over at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta’s first choice left-back, with the Italian also capable of filling in at centre-back if required.
Arteta hailed Calafiori’s unpredictability, saying his attacking edge can be “very difficult to control for the opponent”. His stunning first Gunners goal against Man City highlights that.