Former Real Madrid and Brazil icon Roberto Carlos is widely regarded as one of the best left-sided defenders ever, having enjoyed a highly decorated 22-year career at both club and international level, with three Champions League titles and a 2002 World Cup to his name.
Known for his powerful free-kicks and physicality, Carlos was one of the first modern left-backs to grace the game – he transformed the role with his attacking play and constant goal threat, while his pace, stamina and strength made him a force on both ends of the pitch.
While he paved the way for the likes of Marcelo, Dani Alves and Trent Alexander-Arnold to take the attacking full-back role even further, Carlos himself once heavily praised Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier when discussing which full-backs in the modern game he admires most.
Roberto Carlos Praises Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier in action for England
Kieran Trippier in action for England
Carlos, as quoted by FourFourTwo, said that Trippier’s versatility makes him the ultimate modern full-back, praising the England international’s ability to play on either flank – something the Brazilian could not do:
“We can see an evolution in the role of full-backs and I was particularly impressed with Trippier as he was able to play on the left-hand side for the England national team.
“I wouldn't have been able to play on the right of defence but in modern football you need to play on both sides. He has an amazing personality and is very good.”
A natural right-back at club level, Trippier was often used on the left side of defence for England during Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
The former Tottenham defender featured exclusively on the left for England during Euro 2024, making six starts, before being dropped for the 2-1 final loss to Spain in favour of Luke Shaw.
Trippier was capped 54 times, scoring once against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-final, while ten of his last 12 appearances for the Three Lions came on the left side.
He announced his retirement from international football following England’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final, seven years after his national team debut under Southgate in 2017.
A product of Manchester City’s academy, Trippier made his breakthrough at Burnley, where he spent four seasons from 2011 to 2015, helping the Clarets return to the Premier League in 2014.
Trippier earned a move to Tottenham in the summer of 2015, where he developed into a reliable Premier League right-back and was part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad that reached the 2019 Champions League final.
The 34-year-old made a surprise move to Atletico Madrid the same year and helped the Spanish capital side win La Liga in 2020/21, before returning to English football in January 2022 with Newcastle.
Trippier has been an important piece of Eddie Howe’s squad ever since, amassing well over 120 appearances and helping the Magpies qualify twice for the Champions League, as well as win the Carabao Cup in 2024/25.