Football has evolved a lot in recent years and the player's role in the team is no longer a single one. The coach wants their strikers to defend from the front, the goalkeeper to take possession of the ball at their feet and the defenders to organize the game from the backcourt.
Because of this, we've seen players like Ramos, Van Dijk and Marcos Alonso score goals on the defensive end in recent years. At the back, full-backs are more likely to score goals as they are often present at the opposing half.
Let me take a look at the five most goalscoring full-backs of the 21st century.
5. Marcelo (47 goals)
Real Madrid defender Marcelo has carved out a place for himself in world football, with the Brazilian always passing through the front in the game, creating width with attack.
Marcelo has scored 47 goals in his career, most of them at Real Madrid. The Brazilian left-back has scored 41 goals in club football and 6 goals for the Brazilian national team.
Marcelo's goal-scoring ability has helped his team a lot, with the 33-year-old defender having a lot less playing time this season as it was his last season at the Bernabeu.
He hopes to move to another team before the end of his career, where he can play his unique skills well.
4. Alves (68 goals)
Legendary Brazilian right-back Alves is one of the most well-rounded defenders in the history of football, and although he is 38 years old, he is still at the pinnacle of the game, with many young defenders still learning from his abilities and achievements.
Alves is now signing for his second time after joining FC Barcelona as a free agent last December.
In his illustrious career, Alves have scored 68 goals, including one scored last weekend in La Liga's 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid. Of his goals, 60 were played at clubs and the remaining 8 were scored for the Brazilian national team.
Alves is an extremely talented player with impressive shooting ability. The Brazilian defender has excelled at the highest level of football and is the footballer who has won the most honors in history.
3. Lieser (71 goals)
Reese had a brilliant career with Liverpool and the Norwegian national team, and at his peak, the left-back was one of the best left-backs in the world.
Reese joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2001 and gradually became a key player for the Reds. The Norwegian defender played in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan.
Liverpool came back from defeat after falling three goals behind, with Reese contributing an assist, and although Reese's penalty was saved by Deida in a penalty shootout, Liverpool won the penalty shootout.
Riser has scored 71 goals for clubs and national teams during his career, 55 goals for various clubs and 16 goals for the Norwegian national team. The defender is a skilled set-piece player with excellent shooting skills, and he retired in 2018.
2. Kolarov (72 goals)
The defender has played for some of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester City, Lazio and Roma. City signed Korarov from Lazio in 2010 as part of a historic Premier League victory in 2012.
The left-back has scored 72 goals in his career, most of them from outside the box. For the past decade, Korarov has been a skilled free-kicker and despite his age, he remains a key player for Inter.
Kolarov has scored 61 goals for his different clubs so far, with 11 more to score for the Serbian national team, and the 36-year-old remains an indispensable member of Inter Milan.
1. Roberto Carlos (108 goals)
Retired Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos is undoubtedly the greatest full-back scorer of the 21st century, the former Real Madrid left-back who has an impressive career and his goalscoring ability sets him apart.
At the end of his long career, Carlos contributed 108 goals for club and national teams during his career. The left-back scored 97 goals for the club and 11 goals for the Brazilian national team before retiring.
Carlos is a perfect set-piece specialist who is able to score free kicks and even corner kicks from all distances. The Brazilian has perfect shooting skills that have allowed him to end his career with such an impressive goal.