Through the years, the full-back position has evolved. Early in football history, it was primarily a defensive position. Now, it is one of the most dynamic roles in the sport, as you can see defensive and attacking acumen with full-backs. 

Across football teams and their history, some players have stood out and remain iconic due to their performances at full-back. Here, we are looking at the best full-backs in football history, those who defined the position and set the golden standard.

What makes a top-tier full-back?

The greatest full-backs in history have never been limited to just stopping the rival winger. Instead, they go above and beyond to make an impact on the match. They combine many good qualities, from physical to mental. Here are the strengths you must see from a top full-back: 

• Pace & stamina - Since full-backs are going up and down the pitch, they must have good pace, and they should be able to withstand playing the full 90 minutes while maintaining their energy. They will also need to endure a lot of physical contact as full-backs have to deal with skilful wingers all game.
• Defensive discipline - Any top-tier full-back must be strong enough to compete on the defensive side of the match. They must be able to keep up with the wingers and work with their fellow defenders.
• Crossing & final-third quality - Full-backs have a unique role when it comes to contributing to the offence. They must be able to overlap their wingers, so they can send in some crosses to the right zone for their teammates to put into the net. 
• Work ethic - Since the responsibility of a full-back is quite heavy, a top full-back must do their best to improve behind the scenes. They must be working on their game and improving their physical traits to get the most out of every opportunity.
• Tactical adaptability - The best full-backs must be good enough to adapt to any system, so they can be effective. If they are good enough, they should be able to play at a high level for club and country.

A revolutionary: Cafu

Through the years, the quintessential Brazilian full-back has always been Cafu. He was Brazil’s captain during their 2002 World Cup win and was also a proven star in European football leagues. Cafu was mostly known for his key role with Brazil, but also delivered outstanding performances for Roma and AC Milan. 

He was able to make an impact on the final third despite being a full-back. Cafu was always bombing forward, as he used his elite fitness and technical control with the ball. He was a nightmare matchup for wingers as he had the strength to overpower them, but he also had the skill to get past them in transitions.

Cafu was among the first modern full-backs to dominate the final third, and with his stamina and technique, most modern-day full-backs have modelled their style after what Cafu did during his career. 

Defensive titan: Paolo Maldini

Football fans might remember Paolo Maldini for his time as a centre-back more since that was his primary role during the latter stages of his career. But he was mainly a left-back for most of his career. He was widely seen as the best in the world playing that role as he had all the qualities you would want in a defender.

Maldini was one of the most intelligent and elegant players the game has seen. He rarely resorted to reckless decisions, as he always found ways to defend without needing to slide in or lunge for the ball. His exceptional positioning was a key aspect in AC Milan’s five European Cups. 

The Italian legend was not flashy, but he was effective. He showed that one player can dominate an entire side of the pitch by being in the right spots and defending without needing to be overtly physical. Opponents were well aware of this, so they always approached him with caution, knowing Maldini’s reputation for stopping them without much effort.

Unmatched success: Dani Alves

As the most successful full-back in domestic football due to his 40+ trophies, Dani Alves was the perfect example of a versatile right-back. His primary role for Barcelona was defending the right-hand side, but he was always willing to bomb forward to contribute to the attack. He was an excellent passer, especially with his crosses, which led to multiple goals.

Alves was a right-back who became a pseudo-midfielder at times when building up. It helped Barcelona control the possession, as he had the flair and ability to dribble and get past their opponents to help Lionel Messi on the right-hand side.

Power: Roberto Carlos

A full-back must have some explosive power in them to contribute, and that was Robert Carlos to a tee. During his career as a left-back, Carlos was always known for his free kicks, but he was also a capable defender. He helped Brazil and Real Madrid to the pinnacle of competitions, as he combined speed, strength, and a fearless attitude to help. 

He made the full-back role more enticing and showed how the position can be played, as some people had misconceptions about being a defender.

Modern-day great: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Under manager Jürgen Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold rapidly became a new kind of right-back. He was the primary playmaker for Liverpool, which helped him tally many assists throughout the years. 

He has led Liverpool to two Premier League titles and a Champions League. Even if he is not known as the best on the defensive side, Trent remains influential with his style, and he is still one of the best to ever play the position.

The selection of top full-backs shows that the position is filled with talented superstars. These players transformed the role, and their impact will only continue influencing the next generation of full-backs. 

Explore more about the football world here

Footballers are often seen as masters of a single craft. To the world, they live and breathe on the pitch. You’d picture them chasing goals and trophies, locked into one path since day one, yet for some, football wasn’t their only calling.

A few found their talents stretched far beyond the field between two nets. Some had other passions before entering the game, while others chased new careers after retiring. Either way, they proved that athletic skill is neither tied to one field nor one ball. So, who traded their boots for something unexpected? Here are eight footballers who stepped into a new sport and thrived.

Jerzy Dudek �Motor racing

Jerzy Dudek is best known as Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League hero. During their final match against AC Milan, his iconic double-save helped seal one of the club’s greatest wins. He stood out as a goalkeeper for top clubs like Feyenoord, Liverpool, and Real Madrid before he retired from football in 2011.

After leaving the pitch, Dudek shifted his focus to something faster—motor racing. In 2014, he completed his first full season of the Volkswagen Castrol Cup. Since then, Dudek has raced across Europe and treated each circuit with the same passion he had on the football pitch. In a Liverpool special report, he shared how motor racing had always been his passion before football. 

Tim Wiese �WWE

Tim Wiese made his name as a strong keeper for Werder Bremen and the German national team. He stood out on the pitch for his towering frame and muscular build. He retired from football in 2014, but didn’t step out of the spotlight for too long.

After ending his football journey, Wiese made headlines when he signed with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He trained under WWE’s care and debuted in November 2016. His first and only match was a tag team event in Munich, with Sheamus and Cesaro against The Shining Stars and Bo Dallas.

Shortly after his debut, Wiese left WWE in 2017. Even though his run was brief, it was loud and bold. His career shift just showed how far athletes can go with their skills beyond the pitch.

Clive Allen �American football

As one of the most reliable strikers in English football, Clive Allen was a force to be reckoned with in the 1980s. He carved his legacy with Tottenham Hotspur after bagging 82 goals in 133 games with the club. Allen also played for top English clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City before retiring from football in 1995.

Two years after leaving the pitch, he entered the National Football League (NFL) Europe as the London Monarchs�kicker. His skills honed from years of playing pro football paid off in American football. He even urged England’s Harry Kane to play as one after retiring. He shared, ‘Former strikers are the ones that can do it (NFL) well…I wouldn’t be surprised if in years to come [Kane] will be kicking an NFL football�

Petr Čech �Ice hockey

From the scorching heat on the pitch, Petr Čech found solace in the coldness of an ice rink. Čech was a Chelsea legend and one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers. He’s won multiple English Cup titles and a Champions League trophy with the Blues. Čech spent a fruitful 11 years playing for Chelsea before he left in 2015 and then retired in 2019.

After football, Čech returned to his first love—ice hockey. He signed with Guildford Phoenix in the UK’s National Ice Hockey League (NIHL). He took on the role of a goaltender, a position not far from his roots. Čech shared that he had loved the sport since childhood.

Geoff Hurst �Cricket

Geoff Hurst is celebrated as one of the most iconic strikers in football history. He is best known for being the first player to score a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final. Yet, before that, he had another sport on his radar: cricket. Hurst was one of the first-class cricketers who played for Essex in 1962 as a wicket-keeper.

As a young athlete, he showed great prowess on the field—both in football and cricket. He’s played over 23 matches in Essex before thriving on the football pitch. He later took managerial roles for clubs like Chelsea.

Paolo Maldini �Tennis

Paolo Maldini spent 25 years of his football career defending AC Milan’s backline with skill and grace. He helped the club win 26 trophies from multiple leagues and cups, including the Champions League and Serie A. He soon retired in 2009 at the age of 41. Clubs offered him coaching roles and work behind the scenes, but he turned them all down.

In 2017, he surprised everyone at a pro tennis event. Joined by Stefano Landonio, they qualified for the Aspria Tennis Cup in Milan in the doubles category. Though they were knocked out in the first round, his tennis attempt made headlines.

Gareth Bale �Golf

During his time at Real Madrid, Gareth Bale's love for golf was no secret. He was often seen on the course, which led to the well-known meme flag: ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order� No matter what was going on, he always made time to play. Some headlines even called it his ‘love affair�with golf.

Since his retirement in 2023, Bale has stayed close to the sport. He’s played in events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and joined Rory McIlroy at the BMW PGA Pro-Am.

From scoring goals to new goals

These players prove that one’s career doesn’t end once they leave the pitch. Let their stories be a reminder that talent can take on many shapes and that sometimes, the real game starts after the final whistle.

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