Once the humblest job on the pitch, full-back has become one of its most demanding: defend one-on-one, then supply the width and the crosses. We ranked the players who did both better than anyone.

1. 1

   Paolo Maldini

   AC Milan · Italy

   The most complete defender of the modern era, peerless at left-back before an equally great career at centre-half.

2. 2

   Cafu

   Roma / Milan · Brazil

   An inexhaustible right-back and Brazil’s most-capped player, who reached three World Cup finals and won two.

3. 3

   Roberto Carlos

   Real Madrid · Brazil

   A marauding left-back with a thunderous left foot and a defensive engine to match.

4. 4

   Carlos Alberto

   Santos · Brazil

   The captain of Brazil’s 1970 side and scorer of perhaps the greatest team goal ever seen.

5. 5

   Giacinto Facchetti

   Inter · Italy

   An attacking full-back decades ahead of his time and the elegant captain of Inter’s Grande era.

6. 6

   Philipp Lahm

   Bayern Munich · Germany

   Faultless on either flank and in midfield, the intelligent captain of Germany’s 2014 world champions.

7. 7

   Dani Alves

   Barcelona · Brazil

   One of the most decorated players in football history and Messi’s telepathic partner down the right.

8. 8

   Javier Zanetti

   Inter · Argentina

   Two decades of durability and class at Inter, captaining the club to the 2010 treble.

9. 9

   Marcelo

   Real Madrid · Brazil

   An attacking left-back of flair and flicks who won a remarkable run of Champions Leagues at Madrid.

10. 10

    Ashley Cole

    Arsenal / Chelsea · England

    Widely rated the finest defensive left-back of his generation, an Invincible and a serial winner.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.