Part III of our best soccer players by position rankings, this time giving you the best full/wing back in the world today.
Part I – Top 5 Goalkeepers
Part II – Top 5 Central defenders
Number 5 – Philipp Lahm, Bayern Munich & Germany
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The right footed left back has been playing on his “wrong” side nearly his entire career, but that hasn’t stopped him from being considered among the world’s best at his position in the last 3-4 years. Lahm had a fantastic start to his Bundesliga career as loanee at Stuttgart after being switched from right back to left by then head coach Felix Magath, a position he’s stayed in since. His ability to cut from the flank to the middle of the field and threaten with crosses or shots (like his famous goal against Costa Rica) is what keeps him on the left despite his own preference to play on the right. Lahm has been linked with Barcelona quite often in the last couple of years, despite his contract which runs till 2012. Despite his recent run-in with the front office over an unauthorized interview it’s very unlikely they’ll be anything but reluctant to let him go.
Number 4 – Maicon, Inter Milan & Brazil
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Not exactly the most defensive minded right back you’ll find, but he’s so good when he comes up (which is about every opportunity) we had to give him a place in the top 5. Maicon, despite being a right back, is usually one of the top 3-4 offensive threats on his side, whether it be for club or country. His fantastic long range shooting, his powerful strides on the flank which often result in him creating a chance by shooting or crossing (has at least 5 assists a season since coming to Inter) makes him one of the best attacking defenders in the game.
Number 3 – Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid & Spain
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No longer the confused boy who got schooled by Ronaldinho in that classic 3-0 Barcelona win against Real, Sergio Ramos today is one of the best defenders in the world, doesn’t matter on what flank you place him. He started his Real Madrid career as a centre back, but he didn’t excel at the position and after bringing Metzelder in 2007 Ramos finally found himself where he felt most comfortable, at right back. He can be switched from right to left (where has played mostly this season) but he’s fantastic either way, defending and attacking (19 league goals from Real since his arrival). His only vice is his tendency to find himself being sent off a few times each season.
Number 2 – Ashley Cole, Chelsea & England
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Still no league title for Ashely Cole since arriving at Chelsea from Arsenal. Maybe it’s karma or voodoo? Maybe 2009-2010 will be the year Cole finally gets his first Premiership title since leaving Arsenal on very bad terms in 2006, and will probably always be regarded a a money grabbing bandit, after he referred to Arsenal’s 55,000 a week offer at the time as “insulting”. Money grabber or not, he’s one of the best at his position, the best as far as we’re concerned, despite the likes of Patrice Evra and Philipp Lahm breathing down his neck. A fantastic defender who can deal with anyone on his side due to his speed strength and is very dangerous when he decides to join the attack on the flank. In June he’ll be playing in his third World Cup for England and will be one of the key players in Capello’s attempt to bring the trophy back to London for the first time since 1966.
Number 1 – Dani Alves, Barcelona & Brazil
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Although fighting with Maicon for the right back position on Brazil’s starting lineup doesn’t always find Dani Alves starting, there’s no doubt in our minds who is the best full back in the world. Amazingly fast, brilliant technique and a fantastic shot from long range and free kicks, Alves and Messi make up what is probably the best right side in the history of football. Yes, he does tend to neglect his defenseive assignments at times, but there are guys to cover for him, and it’s in the teams best interest Alves just keeps attacking. There’s no better defender at that and few wingers who best him when attacking from the flank.
24 responses to “Top Five Full Backs in the World”
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I think its all right except i think Ashley is better than Alves maybe cause im biased im a Chelsea fan but he can play like a winger he can create many chances for the attack he is strong at the back doesnt make any mistakes at all and thats what i would give Ashley the nod for
What about Patreece Evra? He should be in here. Best left back in England if not Europe and the world
where’s Evra?
top 10 fullbax1.dani atax defndz 2. A.cole 3.maicon 4.lahm 5.evra 6.ramos 7.zambrotta 8.b0singwa 9.sagna 10.clichy
Cole cant defend but is good going forward but evra should be on here for defending even if he isnt as good attacking
well maicon is way better than alves that was proved in champions league semifinal
sergio ramos is currently the best full back in the world
Alves is the best-
Ramos was helpless in el classico..
1. ramos
2. maicon
3. alves
4. lahm
5. coentrao
ramos IS th best full back of the world. His tackles are as good as maicon and alves, but his attacking skills are definitely ahead of both of them, and plus, he always makes assists
Fuck, fuck, fuck…………….. This is the way it should be!!!
1. S.Ramos
2. Evra
3. Alves
4. A.Cole
5. Lahm
[…] last year’s list, go here. Tags: 2011 best players, Ashely Cole, best full backs, best in the world, Dani Alves, […]
When u play against barca the lefÞ defender is gonna root to his position for complete 90mins..Dani Alves only weak link is his poor crosses most times and how waste ful he usually is in front of goal..I think its dani, ramos,lahm, contraon ashley cole is slipping recently…
@Charle Contraon? You probably mean Benfica’s Coentrao… I still wanna see more from him in top levels – Champions League and the Euro next year or at least in a better league than in Portugal. Ashley Cole, like all of Chelsea, is having an up and down season. He was pretty good against United last night.
@peter i think you are right..Ashley cole is suffering a dip in form recently have to do with the team confidence..coentrao though is a wonderful lad..lets see how it goes…
No doubt, he’s a fine attacker, a good dribbler, full of creativity and born to defend. he’s the almighty PATRICE EVRA
The world best left back anytime any day is Evra Patrice
He is Evra
This how it should be Patrice evra, Ramos sergio, Ashley cole, Abidal, lahm , Taye taiwo
Evra is not among the Top 5!
Assou Ekkoto is better than Evra!
And Sagna is better than Alves as a defender! Alves is just a bitch…
And Maicon seems totalled!
It’d be: Lahm, Coentrao, Ashley Cole, Assou Ekkoto and Ramos!
@Fanagooner Naa mate, you’re wrong. No way the Cameroonian is up there with them. Alves may be a bitch, be he’s an amazing player.
[…] Our previous installments – Besk GK’s, best CB’s, best Full/Wing Backs, Best […]
where is Carragher
Who’s Carragher!!!!! A chef or carpenter?
Who’s know him, tell me pls. haha
Or footballer that play in division II