The 11 best full-backs in history

Posted Monday, September 09, 2013 by Marca.com

At the age of 24, Jordi Alba has made his bid to be considered one of the best full-backs in history. Having played 101 games less than Roberto Carlos, he has already scored half as many goals as the Brazilian. The 11 best full-backs in history

1. Roberto Carlos (Brazil): 125 games and 10 goals. World champion with Brazil in 2002. Possibly the best attacking full-back in history.

2. Maldini: 125/7 (Italy). A colossal defender. He scored seven goals for the 'Azzurri', but never won anything with his country.

3. Cafú: 142/2 (Brazil). A legend. Superb defensively and going forward, though he only scored twice for his country. World champion in 1994 and 2002.

4. Facchetti: 94/3 (Italy). This full-back's physique (1.91 m tall) changed the way of looking at the left-back position. He won the Euros in 1968.

5. Nilton Santos: 75/3 (Brazil). Two-time world champion. One of the best left-backs in history.

6. Djalma Santos: 100/3 (Brazil). Full-back for Brazil between 1958 and 1962. One of the best combinations of attack and defence.

7. Carlos Alberto: 54/8 (Brazil). Great goalscoring ability. Won the World Cup in 1970. A brilliant dribbler, he also had a cracking shot.

8. Schnellinger: 57/1 (Germany). Nicknamed 'Volkswagen', he played as a left-back and sweeper. He featured in three World Cup semi-finals (1958, 1966 and 1970).

9. Brehme: 86/8 (Germany). A two-footed left-back who won the 1990 World Cup with a goal from the penalty spot.

10. Zanetti: 145/5 (Argentina). Capable of playing on both sides. Same number of goals as Jordi Alba, but in 145 games.

11. Junior: 70/9 (Brazil). His mind was always set on goal. No World Cup wins between 1970 and 1994.