Top 10 full-backs currently in world football

The recent evolution in football has affected the role of each and every position in the beautiful game. “Attack is the best defense” is the motto of the day and the best teams in the world are striving to play a brand of total football that is ideally suited for multi-skilled players. From goalkeepers to the strikers, everyone is expected to shoulder added responsibilities on the pitch.

Football teams are now expected to attack and defend as a unit and this has made the game even more open, exciting and entertaining. A vital component of the recent fast and fluid style of play are full-backs. They are no longer expected to be only a part of the back-line, instead, modern full-backs are often the first line of attack in the team.

Their speed, tenacity, work ethic and eagerness to burst forward make them an indispensable part of a successful football team. The modern era is blessed with quite a few brilliant full-backs, who have kept us on the edges of our seats with their performances on the pitch. But who is the best among them all? Read on to find out the top 10 full-backs in the world at the moment, who have been ranked based on their form this season.

#10 Marcel Halstenberg (Germany, RB Leipzig)

The German international has been in splendid form this season for his club RB Leipzig. Marcel Halstenberg has improved steadily since joining the club in 2015 and has made the left-back position his own. The 28-year-old is assured at the back and eager to join the attack, which makes him an essential member of the Leipzig team.

Last season, the German international managed 4 goals from 37 appearances. This time, he has already picked up 2 from 12 games in all competitions and has caught the eye with his stellar performances.

Halstenberg is good in the air, which makes him an asset during set-pieces. He has averaged 1.8 tackles, 1 interception and 2.5 clearances per game. Interestingly, he has also registered 1.2 shots and 1.3 key passes per game.

The German international has already picked up 2 assists so far and is a big threat going forward. However, Halstenberg does not compromise on his defensive responsibilities, which makes him one of the top full-backs in the world at the moment.

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#9 Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid)

The Brazilian has struggled with injuries this time, missing quite a few games since the start of the season. However, Marcelo continues to be part of Zinedine Zidane's plans at Real Madrid and when fit, has shown no signs of slowing down. The 31-year-old is tenacious on the field and still is one of the best left-backs in the world at the moment.

Marcelo has just 8 appearances for Real Madrid this season, as a neck injury, along with sprain and knocks, has kept him out of games. However, the Brazilian has still picked up 3 assists for Madrid. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and likes to dribble past the opposition. Marcelo can pick out a pass too and is equally active at both ends of the pitch.

The Brazilian has averaged 1.1 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 0.8 fouls per game. He has a keen eye for the goal and has racked up 1.1 shots per game. His contribution to Real Madrid's attacking tactics is evident from the fact that Marcelo has registered 1.9 key passes per game on average.

#8 Ander Capa (Spain, Athletic Bilbao)

The Spaniard has been in terrific form this season for Athletic Bilbao. Ander Capa has started all games for Athletic Bilbao in the league this season and has helped propel his club to 6th in La Liga after 13 games. The Spaniard has impressed with his abilities on the ball, his goal threat and his defensive responsibilities.

The 27-year-old joined Bilbao last summer and has made the right-back role his own since his move. Capa had a decent start last term but he has hit a higher gear altogether this season. The Spaniard has already picked up 1 goal and 4 assists from 13 games so far. He has averaged 2.2 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 1.8 clearances and 1.4 fouls per game in La Liga this season and has been stellar at the back for his team. Going forward, the Spaniard has averaged 0.7 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game.

#7 Joao Cancelo (Portugal, Manchester City)

When Joao Cancelo swapped Turin for Manchester this summer, he became the costliest full-back in the history of the game. While he has largely deputised for Kyle Walker this season at Manchester City, he has every reason to be optimistic. Pep Guardiola was so interested in him that the Spaniard allowed Danilo to leave for Juventus to make the move possible. There’s no denying that Cancelo deserves all the attention.

The Portuguese is already one of the best right-backs in the world and under the able guidance of Guardiola, he is expected to become an even better player. He has managed 11 appearances for City this season, as Guardiola continues to acclimatizse him with the rigours of the Premier League. Thus far, Cancelo has managed to impress already.

His fiery runs down the right have been a positive for the team, while Cancelo has also been assured at the back. The Portuguese has registered 2.4 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and just 0.8 fouls per game. One thing is certain – Joao Cancelo already was one of the top full-backs in the world and with Pep Guardiola tutoring him now, he might just get even better.

#6 Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain, Benfica)

The 24-year-old defender broke onto the scene with his consistent displays for Benfica last season. Alejandro Grimaldo managed 7 goals from 54 appearances in all competitions and was one of the players of the season for his club. This term, the Spaniard has already amassed 1 goal and 4 assists from 16 appearances and is an ever-present figure in this Benfica side.

Grimaldo is a left-back who loves going forward. He is assured with the ball at his feet and likes to dribble past opposition, using his pace and skills to leave them behind. He is a very good provider in the final third and is well known for his crosses and final balls. The Spaniard likes to use short passes to build-up play and also likes to shoot at goal. This season, Grimaldo has averaged 2.6 tackles, 1 interception, 1.2 clearances and just 0.7 fouls per game.

The Spaniard has been busy as a bee in the final third, registering 1.3 shots, 2.1 key passes, 1.9 crosses and 1.2 dribbles per game. One can expect to hear a lot about Alejandro Grimaldo in the upcoming days, as he is one of the best full-backs in the world at the moment.

#5 Kyle Walker (England, Manchester City)

The Englishman has been one of the best right-backs in the world for quite some time and has hit a new level after teaming up with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Kyle Walker has taken to the Spaniard’s tactics like fish to water and his form has been a boon for his national team as well. The 29-year-old is another player who is strong at both ends of the pitch and has also flourished as a part of a back 3 for his country.

This season, Walker is averaging 1 tackle, 0.9 interceptions, 1.3 clearances and just 0.8 fouls per game. He has also found the back of the net once in his 15 appearances for City. The Englishman is a prudent defender who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He is fast and can pick out a pass quite well too.

Walker can read the game very well and his anticipation of the opposition has helped City out on more than a couple occasions this season. The Englishman continues to be one of the best fullbacks in the world at the moment.

#4 Jordi Alba (Spain, Barcelona)

The Spaniard might be going through a rough patch of late but he still is one of the best left-backs in the world at the moment. Jordi Alba is a vital part of the Barcelona team and his partnership with Lionel Messi is one of the most dangerous combinations on a football pitch. Despite not hitting the highest of gears this season, the Spaniard has still managed 1 goal from 15 appearances for the Catalans this season.

Jordi Alba has managed just 6 starts in the La Liga this season, as injuries have caused him to miss quite a few games already for the Blaugrana. However, when fit and ready, the Spaniard has shown that he still has the abilities to wreak havoc in the final third, while being composed and assured at the back.

Alba has averaged 0.8 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 0.8 fouls in La Liga. He has also registered 1.3 key passes and 1 dribble per game. The Spaniard is currently out with a muscle injury, but once he makes a full recovery, he still will be the first choice for the left-back role at Camp Nou. Despite being 30-years-old, Jordi Alba still is one of the best full-backs in the world at the moment.

#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold (England, Liverpool)

The youngster is one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s astonishing rise through the ranks at Liverpool has caught the eye of fans all over the world. The Englishman was vital for Liverpool last season as the Reds chased the Premier League title till the last day of the league and won the UEFA Champions League. Alexander-Arnold picked up 15 assists altogether in the league and in Europe. This season, he has continued that rise that makes him one of the best right-backs in the world.

The Englishman has already registered 1 goal and 4 assists from 16 games for Liverpool so far and has averaged 1.3 shots per game in the Premier League. Despite being just 21, he has a mature head on his shoulders and is composed in the back and impressive in attack. His crosses and set-piece deliveries are the highlights of his game and they are crucial to Jurgen Klopp’s tactics at Liverpool.

The Englishman has averaged 1.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 1.8 clearances and just 0.6 fouls per game. What sets him apart is that he has registered around 3.2 key passes per game this season.

#2 Andrew Robertson (Scotland, Liverpool)

It is hard to believe that Liverpool is home to two of the top 3 full-backs in the world right now but that is one of the key reasons why Jurgen Klopp’s team has been so successful recently. Andrew Robertson is in many ways the perfect Jurgen Klopp player, his work ethic is exemplary, he never stops running and his deliveries into the box can open up even the meanest defense in the world. It is very hard to contain Robertson on his day and he certainly is the best left-back in the world at the moment.

The Scottish footballer was one of the players of the year for Liverpool last season; in 48 games in the Premier League and the Champions League, he picked up 13 assists. Robertson has been equally menacing this year and has 2 goals and 4 assists in 17 games for Liverpool. The 25-year-old has averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 1.7 clearances and just 0.7 fouls per game. Going forward, Robertson continues to be one of Klopp’s most potent weapons. The Scotsman footballer has averaged 1.2 key passes per game.

#1 Joshua Kimmich (Germany, Bayern Munich)

The German international is the best full-back in the world at the moment and his versatility has been an asset for Bayern Munich this year. Joshua Kimmich has looked equally at ease in the defensive midfielder position for his club this season, and that is a bonus for a player who does not have too many weaknesses in his game.

The German is fast, comfortable on the ball and likes to shoot from distance. His crosses can be inch-perfect, while he is also good at taking set-pieces. He is a very composed figure on the field and can read the game very well.

Kimmich has 1 goal and 3 assists from 18 games for Bayern this season, however, all of them have arrived while playing as a defensive midfielder. He has averaged 1.7 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 1.1 fouls and 0.8 clearances per game.

The German international is very important in his team’s build-up play and has registered 2.1 key passes per game on average. Joshua Kimmich is arguably the best full-back in the world at the moment. Since he’s just 24-years-old, one can expect him to get even better.