| The position of left back in a soccer team gives a | | | | of left-back, he scored 46 goals in 370 Madrid |
| player many responsibilities. They must defend, as part | | | | appearances as well as creating many more goals |
| of the important defensive unit, as well as begin and | | | | with his pace and quality crossing. |
| take part in attacking movements. Left backs | | | | Roberto Carlos scored one of the greatest free-kicks |
| traditionally wear the number three shirt and generally | | | | ever when his curling, swerving shot defied logic and |
| form part of the back-four with two centre backs and | | | | found its way into the net against France on June 3, |
| a right back. | | | | 1997. The famous strike was televised and showed a |
| As the game of soccer has evolved, the role of left | | | | ball-boy ten yards wide of the goal ducking for cover, |
| back has become more of an attacking position, with | | | | the ball swerved so much. |
| defenders often being very effective when going | | | | As well as his FIFA World Cup win and runner-up |
| forward. The abilities required to make a great left | | | | medals, Carlos won four La Liga titles, three UEFA |
| back include tackling, pace and passing with the more | | | | Champions League wins as well as two Brazilian |
| complete modern-day left back also possessing great | | | | League titles. Carlos still plays professionally in Turkey, |
| ball-skills and crossing. | | | | at the age of thirty-five, although he retired from |
| The best left back that I have ever seen has enjoyed | | | | international duty in 2006. |
| a professional career of twenty-four years at one | | | | There are many other great left backs in the world |
| club. A rare thing in the modern game, this one club | | | | that possess either strong defensive capabilities or |
| man has also played 126 times for his country, scoring | | | | great attacking skills. One of the best at combining the |
| seven goals. This highly-decorated footballer is the | | | | both is England and Chelsea full-back, Ashley Cole. |
| Italian international Paulo Cesare Maldini. | | | | Despite being relatively young, Cole has built a |
| Maldini is the perfect left back. Strong in the tackle, a | | | | reputation as a great defender with solid |
| team leader and example to the rest of his team, as | | | | performances for club and country. |
| well as dangerous when going forward. Maldini is also | | | | Cole began his career at Arsenal, with a loan spell at |
| highly-professional and committed, to which his | | | | Crystal Palace, winning two FA Premier League titles |
| collection of achievements and awards suggest. | | | | and three FA Cups. His transfer to Chelsea was |
| Paolo Maldini has appeared in eight UEFA Champions | | | | clouded in controversy as he was involved in an |
| League Finals, winning on five occasions from 1988 to | | | | inappropriate meeting with Chelsea officials while still an |
| 2007. He has also picked up seven Serie A league | | | | Arsenal player. He was fined 100,000 pounds, and his |
| titles, five UEFA Super Cup wins and five Supercoppa | | | | reputation damaged as well as joining a team that had |
| Italiana medals. Despite his amazing club career, he | | | | won two previous league titles only to not win a title in |
| didn't win any major international tournaments as he | | | | his first two seasons. |
| had retired when Italy won the FIFA World Cup in | | | | Cole relies on pace and aggression and his forward |
| 2006. | | | | runs are the perfect example of the modern-day left |
| Maldini is a shining example of professionalism and | | | | back. His performances have enabled him to cement |
| commitment in the competitive modern game of | | | | his position as England international first-choice left |
| soccer. Another left back that exemplifies hard-work | | | | back with 67 caps, despite strong competition from |
| and determination is the Brazilian international Roberto | | | | club teammate Wayne Bridge. |
| Carlos. The little Brazilian has appeared in three FIFA | | | | Cole and Carlos are both prime examples of great |
| World Cups, finishing runner-up in 1998 and winning the | | | | forward-thinking left backs, while Maldini combines both |
| 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea. | | | | the traditional defensive role as well as being a danger |
| Playing for five clubs in his career, most notably Real | | | | in the opponent's penalty area. These three great left |
| Madrid, Roberto Carlos is well-known for his powerful | | | | backs have taken the role and set the highest possible |
| forward runs and thunderous shot. From the position | | | | standards for future generations to emulate. |