Where does Real Madrid legend Marcelo rank among the best left-backs of all time?

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.