The 25 Best Right Backs in World Soccer

Legendary Italian striker Gianluca Vialli once theorised that the right back was the worst player on any team. If they had more defensive nous they would be moved infield while a superior attacking outlet would line up as a winger. Even a left back has the added whiff of mystique by being left footed.

But as modern day soccer has evolved since Vialli’s retirement, incorporating flexible formations that change whether or not your team is in possession, it’s become increasingly important for fullbacks to be able to not only charge up and down the flank, but also tuck inside as an extra ball-playing midfielder.

Luckily, we’re blessed with an era of players who have taken that challenge in their stride, transforming the position into one of the most unique and important roles going.

It makes nailing down the top 25 right backs in the business all the more difficult, yet Sports Illustrated are here to do exactly that.

25. Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong rose to prominence under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, where the speedy Dutch international was deployed as an all-action right wing back. It’s a role in which he thrived.

Frimpong delivered 59 goal involvements in 131 appearances for the Spaniard and was rewarded with a move to Liverpool ahead of the 2025–26 season, where he was tasked with replacing the creativity of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Unfortunately, an injury-riddled debut campaign limited his involvement and impact, and Frimpong has been fighting an uphill battle since. He’s still yet to rediscover his mojo at Anfield and has struggled in a flat back four.

24. Joao Cancelo

João Cancelo smiling. — João Cancelo is now a permanent Barcelona player. | DAMIR SENCAR/AFP/Getty Images

Some of the things João Cancelo has done with the ball at his feet defy belief. It’s what makes his sharp decline so puzzling.

There was and still is a rawness to Cancelo’s game that facilitates unpredictability every time he steps onto the field. The Portugal international is far from the best defensive right back in the world, but his work in possession is just obscene.

Having hit lofty heights at Manchester City, a public fall-out led to loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, before he slinked away to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

However, he’s now returned to Catalonia permanently having impressed during a loan stint under Hansi Flick in 2025–26.

23. Diogo Dalot

One thing that can’t be leveled at Diogo Dalot is a lack of effort.

Manchester United have proven an inconsistent force since the Portugal international’s arrival at Old Trafford back in 2018 and difficulties both on and off the pitch around him have affected Dalot’s levels.

But when he hits his stride, he’s a mightily impressive presence down the right-hand side, with his incredible work ethic and tireless running making him a nuisance for opposition attacks and defenses.

22. Nordi Mukiele

Sunderland’s stunning 2025–26 season—from relegation favorites to European qualifiers—was built on some shrewd summer recruitment, and Nordi Mukiele was one of the smartest additions.

Signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a bargain $12.8 million, the former Paris Saint-Germain fullback quickly settled in on Wearside, bringing defensive solidity, attacking intent and a seriously dangerous long throw.

And the best part? He’s still only in his twenties.

21. Nahuel Molina

You don’t become an Argentina regular without being a pretty decent player. Nahuel Molina may not be the most high-profile right back in the business, but he’s an incredibly steady option for his country and now Roma.

Molina has won the World Cup and two Copa América titles with Argentina, consistently impressing with his attacking contributions. Silverware has been less forthcoming at club level, but he still proved a valuable asset for Atlético Madrid before his exit.

20. Josip Stanisic

Josip Stanišic might not be the most glamorous right back in world soccer, but there’s a reason success follows him very closely.

The Croatia international won three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich as an emerging talent, but, with his minutes limited, he was then shipped out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen for the 2023–24 campaign.

Stanišić took his title-winning credentials to the BayArena and helped Leverkusen achieve their first-ever Meisterschale against the odds, before returning to Bayern and clinching two more Bundesliga crowns.

19. Tino Livramento

Tino Livramento’s development was threatened by a devastating knee injury at a crucial stage of his Southampton career.

Despite the setback, Newcastle United remained convinced of his potential, paying a hefty fee to sign him in the summer of 2023.

They were proven right. Livramento has retained his explosive burst and continues to develop into a versatile, increasingly polished defender capable of operating on either side of the back line—even if injury issues continue to hamper his progress from time to time.

18. Zeki Çelik

Zeki Celik Juventus — Celik joined Juventus in 2026. | Marco Canoniero/LightRocket/Getty Images

Zeki Çelik arrived at Roma as a Ligue 1 champion with Lille, but struggled to establish himself as a regular. José Mourinho often deployed him at center back, seemingly muting the attacking instincts that had made him such an effective fullback.

That changed under Gian Piero Gasperini, who used Çelik as a wingback in his 3-5-2. The Türkiye international flourished in the role, impressing enough to earn a 2026 summer move to Juventus.

He may not produce eye-catching numbers, but Çelik offers something just as valuable: reliability, versatility and an almost allergic reaction to mistakes—qualities Juventus will gladly welcome after a difficult period.

17. Djed Spence

The 2026 World Cup was where Djed Spence finally showed the world what he’s all about.

After initially being publicly berated by England manager Thomas Tuchel on the sidelines, Spence responded in spectacular fashion, emerging as one of England’s standout players—perhaps even their star of the tournament. Relentless in the press, powerful carrying the ball and devastating in the tackle, he also showcased the versatility that has defined his career.

Spence has spent much of his career proving people wrong, from mixed loan spells in France and Italy to an inconsistent stint at Tottenham Hotspur. Now at Inter Milan—a club with a proud tradition of developing attacking fullbacks—he may finally have the platform to earn the recognition he deserves.

16. Ben White

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal forked out around $69 million for the services of Ben White in 2021, but the defender has more than repaid that fee through his performances at the Emirates Stadium.

Be it as a right back or center back, White has always been solid, but his ability to learn and add new facets to his game make the former Brighton & Hove Albion star one of the most flexible right backs around.

The England international also makes those around him better, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard much improved when their flexible triangle on the right-hand side is completed by White.

15. Julian Ryerson

Borussia Dortmund’s set-piece specialist is not a character that can easily get carried away.

“It’s not all that difficult,” the Norway international said of setting up his teammates. “I just have to place the ball in the right spot. The others finish it off.”

Dortmund’s forward line gobbled up a glut of Ryerson’s nonchalant chance creation during the most creatively prolific campaign of his entire career—by quite some distance. The defender managed 18 assists during the 2025–26 term, which was 11 more than he conjured during his previous 10 seasons combined.

14. Daniel Muñoz

Daniel Muñoz is one of world soccer’s most underrated talents. A late bloomer who spent much of his career in Colombia before moving to Genk in 2020, the speedy right back then became a star at Crystal Palace.

Thriving as a wingback, Muñoz is a menace going forward, combining relentless overlapping runs with excellent distribution. He played a key role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph in 2024–25 and Europa Conference League win in 2025–26, quickly becoming a fan favorite at Selhurst Park.

That was until he joined Nottingham Forest ...

13. Malo Gusto

Chelsea are absolutely blessed at right back, with Malo Gusto the first of three stars from the position on this list.

Technically, there’s an argument that he’s the most gifted of the trio. A sublime first touch, silky skills, excellent crossing and the intelligence to invert into midfield, Gusto has all the tools of a modern elite fullback.

The problem? Consistency—particularly in the final third. One minute he’s putting the ball on a striker’s plate; the next, he’s sending it into Row Z.

When he’s on it, though, Gusto is genuinely world-class.

12. Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Giovanni Di Lorenzo is one of the most under-appreciated right backs in the world. He has been a mainstay in the Napoli team for years and will go down in folklore as their Scudetto-winning captain of 2022–23 and 2024–25.

Di Lorenzo is a regular for Italy and certainly one of the best fullbacks Serie A has to offer. He’s an aggressive and robust defender and performs a conservative but imperative function when Napoli have the ball.

Napoli and Italy are fortunate to have such a stable presence in their defense.

11. Marco Palestra

Marco Palestra Chelsea — Palestra is already impressing in Chelsea blue. | Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Heading into the 2025–26 season, Marco Palestra was a baby-faced 20-year-old who couldn’t even crack Italy’s under-21 squad, let alone Atalanta’s senior team. By season’s end, he was a full-fledged international and had earned himself a big-money move to Chelsea.

“It has been a wonderful year that changed my life,” he succinctly summed up.

The tireless fullback-turned-wingback is a human pendulum, constantly shuttling up and down the right flank with seemingly endless energy.

10. Pedro Porro

On his day, few players can compete with Pedro Porro’s distribution. The Spaniard has an exquisite right boot capable of unlocking the the tightest and most organised defenses.

The indefatigable right back has also flexed his ability to pop up with a stunning long-range goal or two for Tottenham Hotspur.

From a defensive standpoint, Porro is less assured and certainly an inconsistent presence with the capacity to switch off. However, that didn’t prevent him from exceling in Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning team.

9. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has revolutionized the concept of the modern defender.

Any defensive shortcomings are often outweighed by his extraordinary playmaking ability, with the England international capable of producing almost any pass from almost anywhere. His emergence under Jürgen Klopp was a key part of Liverpool’s transformation into one of Europe’s elite sides.

Now at Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold is chasing even more silverware with the record Champions League winners. Injuries have disrupted his stint in Spain, but when fit, his talent remains obvious. After one standout performance, Spanish daily Marca declared: “David Beckham Returned to the Bernabéu.”

Few players are more divisive, though, with even England boss Thomas Tuchel yet to be fully convinced.

8. Konrad Laimer

Konrad Laimer arrived at Bayern Munich as a high-energy box-to-box midfielder, renowned for his work rate and physicality. But with fierce competition in Bayern’s midfield, the Austrian has been redeployed at right back.

That’s where he spent most of the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons, helping Bayern win back-to-back Bundesliga titles while constantly bombing up and down the flank and contributing at both ends.

His adaptation has been so impressive that Vincent Kompany has even trusted him at left back when needed—a remarkable evolution for a player who made his name in midfield.

7. Matheus Nunes

Matheus Nunes Man City — Matheus Nunes is ever so consistent. | Bruno Penas/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola is rightly regarded as one of the greatest managers ever, not only for revolutionizing modern soccer but for his remarkable ability to elevate players. His mastery of positional versatility has turned plenty of unlikely candidates into stars.

Enter Matheus Nunes.

The Portuguese midfielder appeared destined for a so-so spell at Manchester City, struggling to nail down a regular role. Then came a switch to right back in 2024–25—and suddenly, everything clicked.

Nunes’s endless engine, technical quality and positional intelligence have made him a dynamic presence, capable of sitting between the lines, driving forward, distributing the ball and making timely interceptions.

6. Jules Kounde

Jules Koundé has been the victim of both Barcelona and France’s issues at right back. Once primarily considered a central defender, the former Sevilla star was forced to fill in out wide due to the absence of other options at both club and national team level.

However, Koundé has developed into a sturdy and consistent option on the right side of defense despite initially detesting the idea of being taken away from a central position.

The Frenchman has been particularly effective for Barcelona and produced countless exquisite performances while combining to devastating effect with Lamine Yamal—although the 2025–26 season wasn’t his personal best.

5. Marcos Llorente

One of many modern midfielders shunted to right back, Marcos Llorente is another who has flourished in a new-look role. Utilising his explosive speed and tenacity in the tackle to torment opposition wingers and fullbacks, he’s a perfect fit at Atlético.

The Spain international still has a midfielder’s head on a right back’s shoulders, making him acutely aware of his surroundings in both halves of the pitch.

He’s not shy in conjuring up a goal or assist, either, with nine goal involvements to his name during 2025–26 at club level.

4. Denzel Dumfries

The Netherlands are practically overflowing with elite right backs, and Denzel Dumfries might just be the best and most complete of the bunch. His advanced role at Inter helped turn him into one of the most dangerous attacking fullbacks in world soccer.

The flying Dutchman combines blistering speed, a powerful stride and immense physicality, allowing him to bulldoze through defenders while still contributing at both ends of the pitch. His value has been just as clear for the Netherlands, where he has become a key figure.

At Inter, Dumfries helped them reach two Champions League finals while collecting plenty of domestic silverware. Now at Real Madrid, he’ll be looking to add even more trophies to an already impressive collection.

3. Reece James

Reece James was once regarded as the most complete right back in the game.

The Chelsea defender possesses a fierce crossing delivery and his ball-striking is that of a prolific No. 9. James is a powerful figure down the right and came into his own from an attacking perspective as a wing back when he registered 14 Premier League goal contributions in 2021–22. James can defend as stoutly as the very best in the world, too.

Consistent injuries restricted his development in years gone by but a new regime adopted by Chelsea and the fullback has inspired a remarkable uptick in availability, giving James an opportunity to shine on a consistent basis.

2. Jurrien Timber

Having missed his debut season with Arsenal after tearing his ACL on the opening day of the campaign, Jurriën Timber has refused to miss a beat since recovering.

The adaptable Dutchman can play anywhere across the backline but is best suited to a fullback role down the right, something that is abundantly clear to Arsenal supporters across the world.

He’s ever so reliable and is starting to evolve into a final third threat, operating with an impressive swagger in north London—one that was essential to Arsenal ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title in 2025–26.

1. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi PSG — Hakimi is the world's best. | Franco Arland/Getty Images

Achraf Hakimi’s partnership with Antonio Conte at Inter was a match made in heaven. The Moroccan wingback was seemingly the final piece of Conte’s puzzle, starring as the Nerazzurri won the 2020–21 Scudetto.

Inter’s financial upheaval forced him out that summer, with Paris Saint-Germain swooping in and returning him to a traditional back-four role.

It didn’t slow him down. Hakimi is an absurd athlete, combining blistering speed, intelligent movement and elite final-ball quality with a surprisingly strong defensive game. He became one of PSG’s most important players during their long-awaited Champions League triumph in 2024–25, scoring in both the semifinal and final.

He then helped Morocco reach the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final before playing a key role as PSG successfully defended their Champions League crown.

From Conte’s wingback weapon to the world’s premier fullback, Hakimi just keeps getting better.

The 25 Best Right Backs in World Soccer—Ranked