Ranking the five most underrated left-backs of the 21st century
Strikers and centre-backs are given very clear instructions in football. One attacks while the other defends. Modern day full-backs are expected to do both. They are important in setting up attacks while also stopping the opposition wingers from attacking their box.
A wealth of left-backs have plied their trade in the European top-flight in the 21st century. Roberto Carlos, Marcelo, Jordi Alba, and David Alaba are the players who have epitomized the role of a modern-day left-back.
On 26 February 1992 a left back called Roberto Carlos made his senior national team debut with Brazil in a 3-0 win over the USA in a friendly 
🇧🇷 On 26 February 1992 a left back called Roberto Carlos made his senior national team debut with Brazil in a 3-0 win over the USA in a friendly
🤔 Best left back in history?
#OnThisDay | @Oficial_RC3 https://t.co/brHtjAcnwi
Left-backs and right-backs are racking up assists nowadays
When we think about the left-backs, Roberto Carlos, Marcelo, and Jordi Alba are some of the names that come to mind. One thing they had in common was their ability to link up with the attackers, picking up assists every now and then.
As of March 6, Andrew Robertson has nine assists in the Premier League and Alba has seven in La Liga. Left-backs are appreciated just as much for their attacking inputs as their defensive duties.
Many impressive left-backs have gone unnoticed for their contributions over the years. So here we take a look at the five most underrated left-backs of the 21st century.
#5 John Arne Riise
John Arne Riise was a reliable left-back at Liverpool and made a name for his powerful left-footed goals. Though he has scored quite a few goals starting out as a defender, his goalscoring abilities have at times overshadowed the fact that he is equally hard-working at the back.
He spent seven seasons with the Reds, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Champions League, Community Shield, and UEFA Super Cup during that period.
Players like Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, and Jamie Carragher are credited as the best players in the Liverpool team who helped drive the Reds' success during that period. Riise's consistency and contributions are often overlooked.
#4 Joan Capdevila
Before Jordi Alba established himself as the de facto left-back for Spain, Joan Capdevilla held the position as the undisputed first-choice starter at left-back.
Like many goal-scoring defenders, he began his career as a striker with RCD Espanyol before making a shift to the left-back position with Deportivo La Coruna in the 2000-01 season.
While he did not enjoy much success at club level, failing to win a league title until his 2016-17 campaign with Santa Coloma, he was very successful with Spain. He won the EURO 2008 championship, missing just one game in that campaign. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup final was the only player in Spain's starting XI not representing Barcelona or Real Madrid at club level.