Real Madrid’s club captain, Marcelo, recently acquired the great honor of being the player to win the most titles with the club, tied with the legendary Paco Gento at 23.
While he doesn’t really have the legs he used to from his prime days, he’d indeed go down in the history books as an absolute club legend, no matter how his days with the Royal White club ends. He had a good game against Granada that Los Blancos won 1-0. It’d be good to see the club captain contribute to the season in such flashes that we’ve all drooled over in the past. He was indeed one of the most exciting players to watch in his prime.
Marcelo is looking to win one more trophy and create an individual record. As such, I’ve been thinking about where the Brazilian ranks among the best left-backs of all time? Here’s a quick top 10 that I have prepared for you.
Before you advance to the rankings, I’d like to add that Real Madrid’s central defender, David Alaba had a decent enough case to bag a spot in this left backs’ list but, because he is so good in multiple positions it is hard for me to take a call about him cracking the top 10 solely in left-back. We’ll see where he continues to play for the remainder of his career and which position at the end becomes his primary. He’ll surely be one of the most versatile players on the planet on any given day.
10. Ashley Cole
To find a left-back even close to the quality of Ashley Cole in the Premier League would be a hard task. He’d go down as the best left-back to grace the English stage. His turning point in his career was a loan spell away at Crystal Palace that earned him a first-team spot with Arsenal. Later, he moved to Chelsea in a controversial move that earned him the nickname, ‘Cashley Cole’.
Cole won two leagues titles and three FA Cups with the infamous ‘invincible’ Gunners side. With Chelsea, he could increase the tally with another league win, four FA Cups, one League Cup, and a big one, the Champions League. With the national side, Cole was unlucky to play at a time when the three lions didn’t roar as loudly as he did. Yet, he earned more than 100 caps and was a bright spot in England’s failed ‘Golden Generation’.
9. Nilton Santos
Nilton Santos played in an era of his own, in the 50s when full-backs weren’t given the liberty to venture forward too often and rather stick to their defensive roles. Legend has it that his manager Vicente Feola would give him an earful after he scored a brilliant goal dribbling past defenders while cutting inside in a World Cup game against Austria in 1958. That’s who he was, a player who would probably fit today’s game. A defensive player who couldn’t pass on an opportunity to venture forward.
Playing for a small club, Botafogo, Santos couldn’t taste success at the club level. But, he made more than enough with his opportunities with the Brazil National side winning two World Cups and a Copa America. A player well ahead of his times, he’s definitely someone who deserves to be talked about when we talk of the best left-backs of all time.
8. Antonio Cabrini
One of the few players who can boast of winning all UEFA competitions, Antonio Cabrini spent all of his time in his homeland, Italy. It was the old lady with whom, he won everything including six Serie A titles and one European Cup. Cabrini made a switch in his playing position early on in his youth career. He was originally a left-winger which explains his effectiveness in the attack when he started playing as a left-back.
Cabrini’s success wasn’t only limited to the club level. In the 1978 World Cup, the 20-year old Cabrini would win the Tournament’s Best Young Player Award, and then alongside a legendary squad of players, he’d power the Azzuri to a World Cup triumph four years later in 1982.
7. Bixente Lizarazu
When the game started showing its transition towards demanding more and more attacking contributions from fullbacks, players like Bixente Lizarazu showed the way. He possessed some amazing pace which helped him close in from out-of-position situations during counters. Playing with the German Giants, Bayern Munich; his side ruled over Germany and he’d win six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2000/01 during his time at Bayern.
These spell of four years from 1997/98 to 2000/01 was absolutely golden for Lizarazu. The Frenchman won the World Cup in 1998 and then the European Championships in 2000 making for a decorated trophy cabinet. An absolute energy package on the left, Lizarazu was one of those players who brought the fullback positions into more usage in modern football.
6. Ruud Krol
Ruud Krol’s career is a testament to the fact that titles alone do not decide the capabilities of a player. A player of Krol’s ability could never win a major international honor but that doesn’t negate the fact that Krol was of the breed of players as well-rounded as they come. His reading of the game, composure on the ball and attacking abilities were mesmerizing to watch.
He was from that infamous Ajax side that won three consecutive European Cups. He also won six league titles while his time in Amsterdam. On the International stage, Krol would be remembered for his beautiful goal against Argentina in the 1974 World Cup when the Dutch reached the finals. He’d later captain the national side to another runner-up finish in the World Cup 1978.
5. Giacinto Facchetti
A one-club man throughout his career, Giacinto Facchetti dedicated his whole life to the service of the Nerazzurri, even beyond his playing years. A two-footed left-back, Facchetti could launch venomous strikes with either foot. He dealt in goals, he scored four in Inter’s 1962/63 campaign when they won Serie A after a drought of nine years. Two seasons later, he’d win the league again, this time scoring 12.
His trophy cabinet with Inter accounted for four league wins and two back-to-back European Cups. He would also win the European Championships with the Azzuri in 1968 and then return to Inter as the Chairman in 2004 when his playing years were well over. He served the club for the two final years of his life and passed away in 2006 aged 64.
4. Marcelo
Real Madrid’s current club captain, Marcelo makes his case at number four. We’ll see if elevates his position further but the competition ahead of him is tough and he looks to be in the final days of his career. Regardless, Marcelo is a true legend for Los Blancos winning 23 major titles during his time and looking on course to win another league title this season.
Marcelo has established himself as the best modern-day left-back with his performances for Real Madrid. He was instrumental in Real Madrid’s four Champions League wins in five seasons. He has earned a place in FIFA’s FIFPRO XI six times over the last decade. While his exploits on the International stage are limited, he did play an instrumental role in Brazil’s Confederation Cup win in 2013. Known for his audacious skills and composure on the ball, he leaves a huge task on the shoulders of younger players to imitate his level of quality, we’ll see if anyone comes close.
3. Roberto Carlos
On number three is Marcelo’s compatriot and former Madrid-man, Roberto Carlos. A figure idolized by many modern-day full-backs, Carlos was blessed with tremendous pace and a fierce left-foot strike. Only a few could hit the ball as cleanly as Carlos did. Videos of his long-range free-kicks are flooding the internet.
Carlos spent his formative years in Brazil before being launched into the big stage by Inter. It was only after his transfer to Real Madrid that he truly hit his top gears. He made 524 appearances for Los Blancos while scoring 69 goals winning four LaLiga titles and three Champions League. On the International stage, Carlos was a World Cup winner in 2002 and has two Copa Americas under his belt. In 2002 he was the runner-up to teammate Ronaldo Nazario for the Ballon d’Or.
2. Paul Breitner
An absolute attacking threat for a fullback, Paul Breitner had an eye for a goal every time he ventured forward. The German legend played for Bayern Munich in the formative years before being robbed by Real Madrid for a short yet successful spell. A trophy cabinet that included five Bundesliga titles, two German League Cups, one European Cup, one LaLiga title, and one Copa del Rey isn’t bad either.
But, the real Breitner show has always been about his performances for the German National team. Playing as a 21-year-old, he won the European Championships in 1972. He then scored in the final of the 1974 World Cup against Johann Cryuff‘s ‘total football’ Dutch as Germany won 2-1. Eight years later he scored against Italy in the World Cup finals of 1982 which put him in the elite company of Pele, Vava, and Zinedine Zidane as the only players to have scored in two different World Cup finals.
1. Paolo Maldini
For decades now, no one has been able to dislodge Paolo Maldini from the position of being synonymous with the left-back position. While Maldini wouldn’t be called a modern-day full-back, there was no one better at defensive solidity. He played for a jaw-dropping 25 seasons with AC Milan and held the record appearances in Serie A at 647 until Gianluigi Buffon reached beyond that number in 2020.
While Maldini didn’t have a major honor with his national side, he was an epitome as far as the left-back position is concerned and his trophy cabinet boasts seven league titles, one Copa Italia, and five European Cups, only Real Madrid’s Paco Gento has more (6). When we talk about Maldini we talk about longevity and tremendous records that the Rossoneri defense stacked up with his leadership. He’s definitely the greatest left-back ever.