How can we talk about the best left-backs without remembering the thunderbolts of Roberto Carlos?
The left-back, also known as the “wing of sorrows”, is the player who lives in a race against time, trying to keep up with the fast winger and still find the breath to support the attack;
As well as listing the best left-backs in Brazil today, we’re also going to look back at the greats of the past.
So, without further ado, let’s get down to business!
How do you know who the best left-backs in Brazil are?
Although he is part of the defensive line alongside the defenders, the position also offers attacking opportunities. That’s why a left-back isn’t limited to defense, he must have offensive skills to support his team.
Meet the best left-backs in Brazil
For this article, we’re going to take an overview of the players’ performances in the Brasileirão 2023 and the state championships that are reaching their final stages.
- Lucas Piton from Vasco
After struggling at Corinthians from 2019 to 2022, Lucas arrived in Rio de Janeiro to take over the left-back position at São Januário.
Acquired for R$16 million, the player has a contract with the Gigante da Colina until December 2026. Piton has shown a consistent performance since the previous year, the promising 23-year-old athlete has aroused interest from some European clubs, who have been watching him closely.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Carioca |
| 37 matches | 10 matches |
| 0 goal | 2 goals |
| 4 assists | 1 assists |
| 9 cards (yellow) | 1 card (yellow) |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Piquerez from Palmeiras
According to the Center for Sports Studies (CIES), left-back Piquerez has earned the second position in the world ranking of the best left-backs. Throughout the season, Piquerez was responsible for eight goals and seven assists, as well as securing victory for Palmeiras in the final round of the 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Paulista |
| 29 matches | 13 matches |
| 3 goals | 2 goals |
| 5 assists | 1 assists |
| 5 cards (yellow) | 0 cards |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Juninho Capixaba from RB Bragantino
Before becoming RB Bragantino’s first-choice left-back, Capixaba had spells with several teams in Brazilian soccer, including Bahia, Corinthians, Grêmio and Fortaleza. He showed an ability to play further forward playing for the northeastern team and is now part of the Bragança squad.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Paulista |
| 34 matches | 11 matches |
| 2 goals | 1 goal |
| 1 assists | 1 assists |
| 12 cards (yellow) | 3 cards (yellow) |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Guilherme Arana from Atlético-MG
Guilherme Arana emerged as a promising player at Corinthians in 2017, but his consistency waned after a move to Sevilla. After a loan spell at Atalanta, he returned to Brazil in 2020 to Atlético Mineiro, where he excelled, winning the 2021 Brasileirão. He was even called up to play in the 2022 World Cup, but was unable to take part due to a serious injury.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Mineiro |
| 28 matches | 10 matches |
| 2 goals | 0 goals |
| 0 assists | 3 assists |
| 3 cards (yellow) | 3 cards (yellow) |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Marcelo from Fluminense
Despite his age, left-back Marcelo is still among the best left-backs in Brazil, that’s for sure. He won several titles, including four Champions League titles, before returning to Fluminense and helping them win the 2023 Copa Libertadores. His contract with the club runs until the end of 2024.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Paulista |
| 19 matches | 6 matches |
| 1 goals | 0 goals |
| 1 assists | 0 assists |
| 4 cards (yellow) | 0 cards |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Ayrton Lucas from Flamengo
Ayrton Lucas, a standout among Brazilian left-backs, has been called up to the national team and is on the rise at Flamengo. Revealed by Fluminense, he was sold to Spartak Moscow in 2019, returning to Brazil in 2022 to defend Flamengo, where he established himself as a starter and had his contract extended until December 2027.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Carioca |
| 35 matches | 10 matches |
| 4 goals | 1 goal |
| 3 assists | 2 assists |
| 8 cards (yellow) | 0 cards |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Marlon from Cruzeiro
Revealed in the youth ranks at Criciúma and with spells at other clubs such as Fluminense and Sampaio Corrêa, Marlon is recognized for his versatility and ability to support the attack. His work at Cruzeiro has been successful and has attracted the attention of the international market.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Mineiro |
| 36 matches | 9 matches |
| 3 goals | 1 gol |
| 2 assists | 1 assists |
| 7 cards (yellow) | 5 cards (3 yellow and 1 red) |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Welington from São Paulo
The only 23-year-old player gained first-team football at the São Paulo club after the departure of idol Reinaldo and hasn’t disappointed. Despite some ups and downs, Welington is a starter for São Paulo and an important part of Thiago Carpini’s team. His permanence at the club in 2024 is in doubt, but until then, the boy continues to help São Paulo!
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Paulista |
| 16 matches | 3 matches |
| 0 goals | 0 goals |
| 0 assists | 0 assists |
| 2 cards (yellow) | 0 cards |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Ryan from Bahia
At the age of 21, Ryan has been a member of the Bahia squad since 2020, when he joined the club’s youth ranks. In the course of 2024, the player appeared in four games, starting three of them. There are high expectations of the full-back’s performance and that’s why he appears here in ninth place on the list of the best left-backs in Brazil.
| Performance in the Brasileirão 2023 | Performance in the Campeonato Baiano |
| 9 matches | 10 matches |
| 0 goals | 0 goals |
| 1 assists | 3 assists |
| 4 cards (3 yellow and 1 red) | 4 cards (yellow) |
Personal archive/Instagram
- Felipe Jonatan from Santos
Felipe Jonatan has only played 1 match in the Brasileirão 2023. However, his good performance in the current Paulistão, makes him an excellent competitor for the position, closing out our list of the 10 best left-backs in Brazil.
| Performance in the Campeonato Paulista |
| 13 matches |
| 0 goals |
| 2 assists |
| 0 cards |
Personal archive/Instagram
List of the best left-backs in Brazil:
- Lucas Piton
- Piquerez
- Juninho Capixaba
- Marcelo
- Ayrton Lucas
- Marcelo
- Marlon
- Welington
- Ryan
- Felipe Jonatan
Brazil’s best left-backs: looking back at the past
Golden ages, ages of glory. Left-back has never been a problem for Brazil. Great names have emerged, enchanted and marked their names in the history of our soccer forever. Who were they? Here’s a look back at Brazil’s best left-backs of the past.
- Roberto Carlos
Titles: FIFA World Cup winner (2002), 3-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Brazilian champion, among others.
History: He started out in soccer at União São João, before making a name for himself at Palmeiras and embarking on a successful international career.
Curiosities: Famous for his powerful kicks and accurate free-kicks, as well as his partnership with Ronaldo in attack for the Brazilian national team.
- Nilton Santos
Titles: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner (1958, 1962), Carioca Champion for Botafogo, among others.
History: Known as “The Encyclopedia of Football”, Nilton Santos spent his entire career at Botafogo, where he became a legend of Brazilian soccer.
Curiosities: he innovated the full-back position, being one of the first to venture forward and contribute with assists and goals.
- Júnior
Titles: FIFA World Cup winner (1982, 1986), Brazilian champion for Flamengo, among others.
History: Born at Flamengo, Júnior had a long and successful career, with spells at clubs such as Pescara and Torino in Italy.
Curiosities: Known for his elegance on the pitch and his exceptional skill, Júnior was versatile, able to play as a full-back or midfielder with mastery.
- Brancão
Titles: FIFA World Cup winner (1970), Brazilian champion for Santos, among others.
History: Born at Corinthians, Brancão’s career was marked by his refined technique and fundamental contribution to the Brazilian national team.
Curiosities: he was known for his dribbling skills and his ability to defend and attack with equal effectiveness
- Leonardo
Titles: FIFA World Cup winner (1994), Italian and UEFA Champions League winner with Milan, among others.
History: he came up through Flamengo and had a successful career in Italian soccer, playing mainly for Milan, where he also became a coach after retiring.
Curiosities: In addition to his skills as a full-back, Leonardo was also known for his versatility, being able to play in various positions on the pitch, including midfield and attack.
List of the best Brazilian left-backs of all time
- Roberto Carlos
- Nilton Santos
- Júnior
- Brancão
- Leonardo
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