Top 5 left-backs in the world right now

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Left-backs are usually acclaimed for the technical proficiency they show in threatening opponents and teaming up with their teams’ attacking forces. Besides his primary role as a defender, a left-back pair up with attackers especially by delivering important crosses to them. So who is the best left back in the world right now?

1. Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba is a bright left-footer and his responsiveness, especially in the attack, has helped Lionel Messi find a suitable left-back to partner with. Barcelona’s style of play is much more offensive and Jordi Alba adapts quickly to this and even falls back early enough whenever there is need to do so.

Jordi Alba possesses one more distinguishing skill which is undoubtedly his brilliant pace and this makes it easy for the 28-year-old Spaniard to switch swiftly from attack to defence and from defence to attack. Through Jordi Alba’s presence, Lionel Messi always finds it easy to use the left flank in scoring goals.

2. Marcelo

Marcelo might not prove to be the best while maintaining a defensive style of play but no one would doubt the fact that he is the best left-back while teaming up with attackers. In 2017, his impressive performances earned him a lot of acclaims and this overshadowed some people’s claims that the Madrid star often committed defensive errors. Marcelo, who sits in the 30th position among the world’s best players, is obviously one of the best left-backs in the world.

3. David Alaba

David Alaba is one of the important players in the defence line of Bayern Munich and he adapts quickly to his team’s attacking flair. In 2016, FIFA ranked him as the best left-back in the world but now, it is obvious that the Austrian has dropped to the third position. For the fact that the 26-year-old left-back has been battling injury spells, the reasons for his form decline are clear. Besides his brilliant defensive displays, David Alaba is better admired as a defensive midfielder due to his passing ability and the way he keeps ball possession.

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While at Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola enjoyed Davida Alaba’s passing ability and his calm style of keeping ball possession. In consequence of this, he frequently used the Austrian as a midfielder. However considered a left-back, David Alaba performs brilliantly when used as a defensive midfielder. In FIFA’s ranking of the world’s best players, the Austrian star is currently placed in the 69th position.

4. Alex Sandro

Alex Sandro is one of the key figures in Juventus’ strong defensive line. Though he often came off the bench during the latter part of 2017, Alex Sandro proved to be an important player. Prior to that moment, his performances had clarified that he is one of the best left-backs in the world. Sandro’s quickness and technical proficiency constitute the factors which make him a perfect player that should adapt to any defensive line.

5. Filipe Louis

Filipe Louis is evidently one of the key figures strengthening Diego Simeone’s tough defensive style of play. The Brazilian has been a significant part of Simeone’s squad for years. Though there had been a time he left Atletico Madrid for Chelsea. Sadly, he couldn’t adapt to Chelsea’s squad and was soon sold back to his former club Atletico Madrid after spending one season at the Stamford Bridge.

Filipe Louis may not have succeeded in Chelsea but it is beyond doubt that Atletico Madrid has always made the best out of the Brazilian left-back. In FIFA’s rankings of the world’s best players in 2017, Filipe Louis took the 85th position and his return to Atletico Madrid –about three years ago –has yielded an impressive football career. Though a 33-years-old, Filipe Louis possesses great strength which makes him a tough defender while coming up against attackers. Besides his strong defensive capability, Filipe Louis does well in creating passes and moving the ball forwards.

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