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Football has evolved so much in recent years that players no longer have one-dimensional roles in teams. Managers expect their forwards to defend from the front, goalkeepers to be good with the ball at their feet, and defenders to start the play from back.
For this reason, we have seen players like Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Marcos Alonso rack up goals in recent years from defense. Among defenders, full-backs are the likelier to score goals because of their usual presence in the opposition territory.
Without further ado, here is a list of the five highest scoring full-backs who have played professional football in the 21st century.
#5 Marcelo (47 goals)
Real Madrid defender Marcelo has carved out a niche for himself as one of the most attack-minded defenders in world football. The Brazilian is constantly on the front foot in games, moving with attacks to create width.
Marcelo has managed to score 47 goals in his professional career, with most of his goals coming in the white of Real Madrid. The Brazilian left-back has scored 41 goals in club football and another six for the Brazilian national team.
Marcelo's goalscoring ability has been a great help to his teams as they know that they can bank on him to chip in with a goal or two.
The 33-year-old defender has seen his game time greatly reduced this season as he is in his final season at the Santiago Bernabeu. He will be looking to move to another team where he can put his unique skillset to good use before the end of his career.
#4 Dani Alves (68 goals)
Legendary Brazilian right-back Dani Alves is one of the most well-rounded defenders in the history of football. He is still at the top of his game despite being 38, with many younger defenders still learning from his qualities and achievements.
Alves is currently on the books of FC Barcelona for a second spell after he joined the club as a free agent in December. The Brazilian has fit in like a glove and still looks unfazed by the rigors of top-level European football.
Alves has scored 68 goals in his glittering career, including one at the weekend in a 4-2 win against Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Of his goals, 60 have come while playing club football, and the remaining eight were for the Brazil national team.
Alves is an extremely talented footballer whose shooting ability is very impressive. The Brazilian defender has distinguished himself at the highest level of football and is the most decorated footballer in history.
#3 John Arne Riise (71 goals)
John Arne Riise enjoyed an illustrious playing career for Liverpool and the Norwegian national team. At the peak of his powers, the left-back was among the world's best in his position without a doubt.
Riise joined Liverpool in 2001 from French side AS Monaco and went on to establish himself as a very important player for the Reds.
The Norwegian defender played in Liverpool's spectacular UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005. The Reds came back from three goals down to win the title and Riise contributed with an assist. The Norwegian saw his penalty saved in the shootout by Dida as Liverpool went on to win on penalties.
Riise scored 71 goals for club and country in his professional career. He scored 55 of his goals for various clubs and a further 16 for the Norway national team. The defender was an expert set-piece taker with a wand of a left foot and a brilliant shooting technique. He retired from active football in 2018.
#2 Aleksandar Kolarov (72 goals)
Serbian defender Aleksandar Kolarov has a rocket of a shot in him. The defender has featured for some of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester City, Lazio and AS Roma.
Kolarov was signed by Manchester City from Lazio in 2010 and was part of their historic Premier League triumph in 2012. The left-back has scored 72 goals in his professional career, with most of his goals coming from outside the box. Kolarov is an accomplished free-kick taker as he has shown over the past decade, and despite his age, is an important player for Internazionale.
Kolarov has scored 61 goals for his different club sides so far, with 11 more coming for the Serbia national team in international football. The 36-year-old remains an integral member of the team at Internazionale.
#1 Roberto Carlos (108 goals)
Retired Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos is undoubtedly the greatest goalscorer among full-backs to have played in the 21st century. The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan left-back enjoyed a largely impressive career, and his ability to score goals set him apart.
Carlos scored 108 goals in his professional career for club and country before hanging up his boots after a long career. The left-back scored 97 goals at club level and 11 more for the Brazil national team before his retirement. He featured for the legendary 'Galacticos' era of Real Madrid alongside fellow legends such as David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and others.
Carlos was a perfect dead ball specialist, he was able to score free-kicks from a variety of distances, penalty kicks and even corner kicks. The Brazilian had an impeccable shooting technique that enabled him to finish his career with such an impressive goal tally.
