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Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes has been named the best left-back in world football in a new ranking released by football publication Planet Football.
The Portuguese international claimed the number one position ahead of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella and Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco, who finished second and third respectively.
According to the ranking published on Wednesday, Mendes earned the top spot because of his strong defensive performances, ability to win one-on-one battles and contributions to his team's attack.
The 24-year-old has continued to impress with his performances for Paris Saint-Germain, where he has become an important member of the team under manager Luis Enrique. His partnership with right-back Achraf Hakimi has also played an important role in the club's success, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
Marc Cucurella took the second position after impressing with his defensive discipline, good positioning and performances in important matches. Federico Dimarco of Inter Milan occupied third place because of his goals, assists and consistent performances.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori was ranked fourth, while Atletico Madrid's Alex Grimaldo completed the top five.
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall came sixth, followed by Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly in seventh position.
Bayern Munich's Nathaniel Brown was ranked eighth after making an impressive start at the German club. He has already contributed one goal and two assists in his first eight Bundesliga appearances.
Canadian international Alphonso Davies occupied the ninth position despite struggling with injuries that have affected his performances and consistency.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie completed the top 10.
The ranking shows how important modern full-backs have become in football. Apart from defending against opposition attackers, players in this position are now expected to support their teams in attack by creating chances, providing assists and sometimes scoring goals.
Mendes' position at the top also highlights his growing reputation as one of the most complete defenders in modern football.
Source:punch news