The 25 best right backs in world football - ranked

Jamie Carragher's words that were heard around the world almost a decade ago still largely ring true.

"If you're a full-back, you're either a failed winger or a failed centre-back," uttered the now revered Sky Sports pundit. "No one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville."

While Neville was a darn fine right-back, it's true that he and many of his positional peers lacked the glamour associated with elite-level football. However, the modern era has embraced a new wave of transformative right-backs.

Football has never before been blessed with such an abundance of unique talent in the position and pinning down the leading 25 in the world was no easy task. Nevertheless, we've given it a good go!

25. Josip Stanisic

Josip Stanisic will not blow your socks off, but he was a sturdy performer for history-malers Bayer Leverkusen last season and has played a bit-part role for Bayern Munich this term.

The defender scored against his parent club in Leverkusen's 3-0 win on their way to the title last season, proving to be a useful foil to the attacking endeavour of Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo.

The Croatian international has produced a couple of excellent performances when called upon by Vincent Kompany this season.

24. Matty Cash

Matty Cash isn't the star of Unai Emery's enterprising Aston Villa side but the Poland international helps make them one of the toughest teams in England to face.

Cash charges into tackles and isn't shy of taking some of the player alongside the ball, making him a difficult opponent for even the most hardened left wingers in the land.

23. Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United discarded Aaron Wan-Bissaka last summer and the full-back was scooped up by West Ham for a pretty small fee.

Wan-Bissaka's flaws were distinct at Old Trafford, but the Englishman has reinvented himself in east London. He no longer appears stiff and awkward in possession, with a reduction in limelight allowing the right-back to breathe.

He's playing with a previously unseen swagger with the ball, and has been a handy final third contributor for the Hammers while retaining his stellar defensive abilities.

22. Conor Bradley

There's plenty of talk surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future, with a free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer a strong possibility.

The Reds require a succession plan, but perhaps an external purchase won't be required. While Bradley has been out injured for much of 2025, he's shown time and time again that he's more than capable of filling the void.

21. Kieran Trippier

From Burnley to Madrid, England international Kieran Trippier has had quite the career path.

Trippier is back in the Premier League with the enriched Newcastle United and the full-back played a key role in their Champions League qualification in 2022/23.

The diminutive right-back is a stellar technician whose ability from dead-ball situations once catapulted an entire nation into a state of utter jubilation. Trippier's international retirement should allow him to prolong his successful club career - even if he's no longer a regular on Tyneside.

He recently impressed during Newcastle's Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool to end the Magpies' 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.

20. Joao Cancelo

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

There's 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.

He became unsettled at Manchester City and a loan exit to Bayern Munich didn't yield a positive outcome. A spell with Barcelona was hit-and-miss and the experienced defender is now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League.

There may well be more the come from Cancelo on the biggest stage, but his career is currently trending in the wrong direction.

19. Daniel Munoz

Daniel Munoz is well on his way to earning cult hero status at Crystal Palace. Like so many Eagles players, the Colombian international was emboldened by Oliver Glasner's arrival and has thrived as a wing-back under the Austrian.

Munoz once frustrated in advanced areas, but he's been a regular goal contributor for a resurgent Palace outfit this term. He's a relentless force down the right flank, and supporters quickly took to his remarkable work ethic.

18. Djed Spence

It's been far from plain sailing for Djed Spence in a Spurs shirt. Labelled as a "club signing" by Antonio Conte, the talented full-back endured several unsuccessful loan spells across the continent and looked set to drift into the wildnerness.

However, Spurs injury woes in defence offered Spence a chance, and the versatile full-back hasn't looked back since his long-awaited integration towards the end of 2024.

Spence has arguably been Spurs' standout performer since making his first start for the club in December 2024, with an England call-up surely not too far away.

17. Pedro Porro

Pedro Porro was hung out to dry in his first half-season at Tottenham, entering a rather toxic environment during Antonio Conte's final days in charge.

He was often left isolated out wide but has since shown his quality under Ange Postecoglou, strolling inside and scoring some wonderful goals in north London.

Few full-backs boast a better delivery than the exciting Spaniard, even if he still has work to do on improving the defensive aspect of his game. He's suffered from burnout during Postecoglou's second season in charge.

16. Tino Livramento

Livramento's career was threatened by a devastating knee injury which arrived during a crucial period of his development at Southampton.

Despite the long-term setback, Newcastle were convinced that Livramento's talent hadn't dissipated as they signed him for £32m in the summer of 2023.

The Magpies' assessment certainly wasn't inaccurate. Livramento hasn't lost his burst, and he's continuing to evolve as a defender who can perform equally well on both sides. His debut season was rather subdued, but he's grown in importance on Tyneside this term, working in harmony with fellow England international Lewis Hall at full-back.

15. Kyle Walker

Mauricio Pochettino played a pivotal role in Kyle Walker's development.

The England international was as raw as they got before Pochettino arrived at White Hart Lane and the stoic Argentine's guidance helped Walker evolve into one of the world's most complete right-backs. You don't survive in Pep Guardiola's meticulous system for so long if you're not one of the best players around.

Walker, whose recovery speed and technical security remain crucial to his success, played a key role in City's reign of Premier League dominance. The England international is no longer relied upon in the final third as much and is instead tasked with shunning opposition counter-attacks.

A tough start to 2024/25 convinced the veteran full-back that a change of scenery was necessary, and he moved to Milan in January. While not the force he once was, Walker hasn't fallen off a cliff just yet and he remains in Thomas Tuchel's England plans.

14. Lutsharel Geertruida

Lutsharel Geertruida thrived in recent seasons at Feyenoord, becoming a Netherlands international and earning plenty of plaudits for his performances.

La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona had been linked with moves for Geertruida, but the versatile defender chose to make the journey to RB Leipzig instead in 2024.

Like many who grace the Red Bull Arena in Germany, he's only likely to improve in the next few years.

13. Noussair Mazraoui

After being in and out of the Bayern Munich team over recent seasons, Noussair Mazraoui decided to make a permanent exit over the summer, joining Manchester United for just under £13m.

The Morocco international likes to maraud forward and is comfortable both out wide and in central areas, while he has shown his ability to play at left-back, too.

He's a reliable option in the full-back department, even if he lacks a little va-va-voom. Ruben Amorim has made use of his versatility since succeeding Erik ten Hag on the sidelines.

12. Vanderson

Monaco picked Vanderson up for just €11m and are sure to make a hefty profit on the former Gremio youngster, who has plenty of quality to use in the final third.

The Brazilian likes to play high up the pitch where he can make use of his attacking prowess and could end up at one of Europe's giants in the near future.

He's one to watch in the summer transfer window. Barcelona are reportedly among those keen.

11. Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Giovanni Di Lorenzo is one of the most underrated right-backs in the world. He has been a mainstay in the Napoli team for over three years and will go down in folklore as their Scudetto-winning captain of 2022/23.

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

He's continued to shine under Antonio Conte's tutelage this season.

10. Ben White

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal forked out around £50m for the services of Ben White, but the defender has more than repaid that fee through his performances at the Emirates Stadium.

Be it as a right-back or centre-back, White has always been solid, but his ability to learn and add new facets to his game make the former Brighton star one of the best right-backs around.

He's in a self-imposed England exile, but there's hope he'll return to the international scene in the future. White has only just returned from a knee injury which saw him miss three months of the 2024/25 campaign.

9. 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 number nine. 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 and the England international's attacking prowess is complemented by his aggression without the ball, physicality in duels and sound defensive fundamentals.

He just has to stay fit to make the most of his potential.

8. Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong spent much of his youth in England and played with Jadon Sancho during the pair's time together in Man City's academy.

The Netherlands international was a former fan favourite at Celtic and took his good form over to Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, where he has enjoyed the vast space the Bundesliga offers wide players.

Capable of playing anywhere down the right-hand side, Frimpong managed a combined 18 goals and assists as Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title in 2023/24.

The Dutchman's final third comfort means Alonso's been happy to utilise him in his front three.

7. Denzel Dumfries

Flying Dutchman Denzel Dumfries was the Netherlands' standout performer in a disappointing Euro 2020 campaign and had the difficult task of replacing Achraf Hakimi at Inter.

Dumfries feasted in the Eredivisie at PSV and has since risen to greater prominence following his deserved move to Milan.

While he isn't the cleanest of technicians - defensively and offensively - Dumfries is a physical behemoth and unstoppable when on song.

Simone Inzaghi has done an excellent job of maximising the Dutch defender's unique profile.

6. Jurrien Timber

Having missed his debut season with Arsenal after tearing his ACL on the opening day of the campaign, Jurrien Timber has refused to miss a beat in year two.

The versatile Dutchman can play anywhere across the backline but is best suited to a full-back role down the right, something that is already abundantly clear to Gooners across the wo

He's ever so reliable and is starting to evolve in the final third. Timber more than mitigated Ben White's absence while the Englishman underwent knee surgery.

5. Dani Carvajal

A stalwart at Real Madrid for over ten years with six Champions League crowns and four Spanish titles, Dani Carvajal will end his career as one of the most decorated defenders in football history.

His importance to Los Blancos' success has been debated, but there's a reason why the Spaniard garnered the trust of both Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti in Madrid.

Carvajal enjoyed his most productive season in 2023/24, winning La Liga and scoring in the Champions League final as Madrid claimed a 15th crown. He was also instrumental as Spain won Euro 2024 last summer before he tore his ACL.

4. Jules Kounde

Jules Kounde had been the victim of both Barcelona and France's issues at right-back. While primarily a central defender, the former Sevilla star has had to fill in out wide due to the absence of other options at both club and national team level.

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

The Frenchman has been in superb form under Hansi Flick this season, proving to be a useful attacking outlet and an ideal recovery defender in Flick's aggressive defensive line.

3. Joshua Kimmich

Regardless of Joshua Kimmich's preference for playing in defensive midfield, there are plenty of arguments to suggest that he's most impactful as a right-back for Bayern Munich.

The German technician has often dazzled in defence and featured regularly there during the 2023/24 season under Thomas Tuchel. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann also continues to use Kimmich at right-back despite the player's impressive return to the middle of the park under Vincent Kompany.

He committed his long-term future to Bayern amid a stellar 2024/25 campaign.

2. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi's union with Antonio Conte at Inter was nothing short of a match made in heaven. The Moroccan wing-back was the missing piece to the demanding Italian's jigsaw as the Nerazzurri claimed the 2020/21 Scudetto with Hakimi starring.

However, he was forced to take his exploits elsewhere as Inter endured a mini exodus ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. Paris Saint-Germain came calling and Hakimi returned to playing in a back four.

Hakimi is a ridiculous athlete who boasts track speed, while his decision-making with the final pass is improving. His attacking prowess is complemented by a sound defensive repertoire, too.

1. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has utterly revolutionised the concept of the modern-day defender.

Any defensive flaws are vastly outweighed by his supreme playmaking ability. His emergence into Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side was one of several factors in the Reds' meteoric rise under their chest-pumping German boss.

The Reds are once again looking to evolve and Alexander-Arnold has proved important under Klopp's successor Arne Slot. He continues to be one of the Premier League's greatest technicians and attacking threats.

Does Madrid beckon for the Englishman?

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL