The number 2 is more than a choice, it’s an identity in soccer. This article celebrates footballers who wear the number 2, full-backs who have become legends. They shine in defense and attack, leaving their mark on the sport. Discover these icons who have transformed the number 2 into a symbol of their excellence in the world’s fields.
1. Cafu – AC Milan & Brazil
Considered one of the best full-backs in history, Cafu left his mark on his era with his consistency, leadership, and exceptional attacking qualities. With Milan, the Brazilian full-back won the Champions League in 2007, bringing all his experience and fighting spirit to the team. Cafu also made a name for himself with Brazil, captaining the Seleçao to two World Cup titles in 1994 and 2002.
Cafu excelled down the right flank with his speed and ability to go back and forth. A tireless piston, he made an invaluable contribution to the attack while ensuring impeccable defensive positioning. Cafu deserves his place among the greatest full-backs in history.
2. Dani Alves – São Paulo & Brazil
For over a decade, Dani Alves has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the world. With FC Barcelona, he won many trophies, establishing himself as a crucial tactical element thanks to his versatility. Dani Alves has also left his mark on the Brazilian national team with his decisive attacking contribution.
That said, Dani Alves excelled at throwing himself forward and crossing to put his strikers in the best possible position. Gifted with exceptional technique and impressive play volume, he formed a formidable tandem with Messi at Barça. Dani Alves deserves his place among the most successful full-backs in history.
3. Gary Neville – Manchester United & England
A Manchester United mainstay for almost 20 years, Gary Neville has established himself as one of the finest English right-backs of his generation. He won everything for the Red Devils, establishing himself as a defensive leader thanks to his exemplary work ethic and fighting spirit. Neville formed a formidable central hinge with Rio Ferdinand.
Moreover, Neville excelled at positioning and marking, compensating for a lack of speed with a peerless reading of the game. His attacking contribution remained limited, but he formed a highly complementary tandem with David Beckham on the right flank. Neville symbolized Manchester United’s winning spirit.
4. Lilian Thuram – Juventus & France
Considered one of the best French defenders in history, Lilian Thuram established himself as a stalwart of the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. He was sober, efficient, and impressed with his reading of the game and impeccable positioning.
In addition, Thuram compensated for his limited attacking contribution with exemplary tactical rigor and outstanding marking skills. Alongside Laurent Blanc, he formed one of the best central defenses in the world in the 90s. Despite his atypical physique for a defender, Thuram made his mark with his tactical intelligence.
5. Kyle Walker – Manchester City & England
A modern full-back par excellence, Kyle Walker has recently established himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League. As a Manchester City player, he won numerous trophies thanks to his formidable explosiveness and outstanding physical qualities. Walker’s speed and power sometimes compensate for careless positioning.
Furthermore, he frequently surges forward, actively participating in the Citizens’ attacks. His crosses and combinations with Mahrez on the right flank often leave opposing defenses struggling. Although he can sometimes be caught out defensively, Kyle Walker continues to impress with his tireless work rate.
6. Raphael Varane – Manchester United & France
Despite his young age, Raphaël Varane has already built up an impressive track record, establishing himself as one of the best central defenders of his generation. With Real Madrid, he has won everything, demonstrating remarkable maturity. Varane stands out for his speed, his ability to read the game and his sense of positioning.
Nevertheless, although he is sometimes criticized for his lack of aggression, Varane makes up for it with serenity and natural class with the ball. Since his early days, he has gone from strength to strength, establishing himself as Les Bleus’ defensive leader. At just 29 years of age, Varane still has many fine years ahead of him at the highest level.
7. Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid & Spain
Trained at Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal has made a name for himself at right-back for the Merengue club, thanks to his fighting spirit and defensive acumen. Although less spectacular than Marcelo on the left flank, Carvajal’s consistency provides valuable balance to the team.
What’s more, while he doesn’t project as far forward as other full-backs, he makes up for it with his near-perfect defensive positioning and good reading of the game. Carvajal has also brought all his qualities to the Spanish team, with whom he won Euro 2020. Discreet but effective, he deserves his place among the best in his position.
8. Ivan Cordoba – Inter Milan & Colombia
Inter Milan’s defensive rock for over a decade, Ivan Cordoba established himself as one of Calcio’s finest central defenders in the 2000s. The Colombian impressed with his positioning, anticipation, and fighting spirit. Alongside Materazzi, Cordoba formed one of the tightest defenses in Europe.
Notably, despite not being very tall for a central defender, Cordoba compensated with an exceptional ability to read the game and remarkable aggressiveness in duels. He played a pivotal role in Inter’s successes in Serie A and the Champions League. Cordoba rightfully deserves his place among the best defenders of his generation.
9. Michel Salgado – Real Madrid & Spain
An emblematic full-back for the galactic Real Madrid of the 2000s, Michel Salgado left his mark on his era with his invaluable defensive and attacking contributions. Alongside Roberto Carlos, he formed fearsome flanks, with devastating runs up the flanks.
Salgado also stood out for his extreme fighting spirit and tight marking of opponents. He compensated for his lack of speed with a remarkable sense of positioning. With Spain, he won two Euros in 2000 and 2008. A true warrior, Salgado deserves to be counted among the best right-backs in history.
10. Gianluca Zambrotta – Juventus & Italy
A full-back, Zambrotta established himself as one of the best in his position in Serie A in the 90s and 2000s. With Juventus, he made a name for himself with his versatility, playing either left or right-back.
Zambrotta projected himself forward a great deal and delivered many decisive crosses for the strikers. Defensively solid and effective offensively, he was a major contributor to the success of Juve and Italy, with whom he won the 2006 World Cup.
11. Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea & Serbia
Chelsea’s defensive rock for almost a decade, Branislav Ivanovic made a name for himself with his versatility, playing in central defense as well as at right-back. The Serbian was impressive for his physical stature and powerful header.
That said, although he shone more for his fighting spirit than for his technique, Ivanovic brought valuable defensive solidity to his team. Highly effective in aerial duels, he also scored many important goals from set-pieces. Ivanovic made a major contribution to Chelsea’s success in the 2010s.
