Discussing the world's best right-backs was not something most would have considered doing even 15 years ago. Famously, no one “grew up wanting to be Gary Neville”. Well things have changed a little.
Judging modern right-backs is about far more than just their defensive capabilities, as we assess who offers something bombing down their flank and even inverting into midfield. Who'd have thought it 20 years ago, eh?
How our experts decided the best right-backs in the world
In compiling our list of the best right-backs in the world, we collated opinions from our expert team at FourFourTwo, asking them to choose from everyone in the world. We based our decision on current form and ability, of course, but considered historic achievements, too, in order to produce a list that reflected the current state of the position in the last couple of seasons – just three months after our last update, to keep things fresh.
We produced a tally of 17 players, with some of the Premier League's biggest stars missing in out on the final 10. We repeated this process, too, across the rest of the pitch: we ranked the best goalkeepers on Earth, while along with the best right-backs in the world, we compiled lists of the best left-backs in the world and the best centre-backs in the world.
There are all kinds of midfielders, too: we've sifted through the best defensive midfielders in the world, these are the best central midfielders in the world and these are the best attacking midfielders in the world.
We also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world. We also have a list of the best players in the world right now in any position.
10. Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
Manchester City's lack of midfield options who are both a) fit and b) the right side of 30 has led them to play their best right-back in midfield – and no, it's not Kyle Walker anymore.
Rico Lewis is a prototypical modern Pep Guardiola footballer, able to invert, underlap, overlap and play in multiple phases of play on both sides. As a right-back, he may well be the most unique on this list and he's already one of the most intelligent players in the Premier League right now.
9. Malo Gusto (Chelsea)
Few eyebrows were raised when Malo Gusto was purchased from Lyon as what many expected to be a bit-part role behind Reece James at Chelsea. The Frenchman has arguably been the most consistent player at Stamford Bridge since joining, however.
This season under Enzo Maresca, Gusto has been asked to perform a completely alien role and done it fantastically. He's a key reason that the Blues are unexpectedly pushing towards the top of the table – and James may have to battle him for the right-back spot if he comes back to his best.
8. Ben White (Arsenal)
Tireless doesn't do Ben White justice. The Arsenal star would be an ever-present were it not for knee surgery pressing the pause button on his season, with his presence in Mikel Arteta's side a key reason that the Gunners are so right-flank focused.
Originally a centre-back before being converted into a full-back, White has the passing range, the intelligence and the tenacity in the duel that make him a complete force in this position. It's hard to imagine him ever going back to the middle when he's so good out on the right.
7. Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur)
A surprising omission from Spain’s Euro 2024 squad, Pedro Porro enjoyed a stellar season at Tottenham last term, where his solid displays at the back were complemented by strong attacking play as he uses his speed and cross ability to do damage in the opposing half.
The 24-year-old’s transition into becoming an inverted full-back under Ange Postecoglou have been a revelation. A former Manchester City man, Porro has become one of the Lilywhites’ biggest attacking weapons while never letting his side down at the back.
6. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
Dumfries emerged as a leading talent relatively late in his career, as a 2018 move to PSV Eindhoven saw him find his groove. His defensive solidarity, speed and attacking instincts saw him force his way into the Netherlands side, where Ronald De Boer’s 5-3-2 formation played to his strengths and he would emerge as one of the best attacking full-backs in the tournament.
Now, he’s an integral attacking weapon for Inter Milan, winning the Scudetto last season and replacing Achraf Hakimi’s output with relative ease. He’s no slouch going the other way, either – and rumours linking him with the Premier League are seemingly never-ending.
5. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
Right, left or central, defending or attacking, overlapping or tucking into midfield. There's simply nothing that Jurrien Timber can't do – and he's been phenomenal this season. It's no exaggeration to say that his injury last season was probably the difference between Arsenal winning the title and falling at the final hurdle.
The Dutchman is one of the most impressive players in the world right now in any position. He's simply unflustered by anything, extremely technical on the ball and with intelligence and wisdom that you'd expect from someone 10 years older. He's the very model of everything that the Ajax academy looks to produce.
4. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Yes, we could have included him in our list of the best central midfielders on Earth right now – but Kimmich received more votes at right-back after his showings over the summer with Germany. The 29-year-old is a natural full-back, having spent his formative years in that position and probably suits the role slightly better than he does in the middle of the park, for us.
Kimmich ended last season playing right-back for both Bayern Munich and Germany, starting every game for his country in his unfavoured position and claiming two assists – including Florian Wirtz’s last-minute quarter-final equaliser against Spain (who then proceeded to win it in the last minute of extra time). Will he ever come to England? We await with baited breath…
3. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Achraf Hakimi is only 26 but already has a glittering CV, with spells at Real Madrird, Borussia Dortmund and Inter to his name before his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. The right-back has excelled in France, winning three Ligue 1 titles and further cementing his place amongst the very best in his position.
Rapid and full of energy, Hakimi is almost impossible to beat one-on-one and is a constant attacking threat. His performances for Morocco in their run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals highlighted what he is capable of on the biggest stage.
2. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is very much a modern full-back, more concerned with bursting forward than rushing back to defend. Typically utilised as a wing-back by Xabi Alonso, the Dutchman has been given scope to repeatedly attack, netting an impressive 14 goals in all competitions as Leverkusen went unbeaten on the way to the Bundesliga title in 2023/24.
Frimpong’s pace and directness make him a nightmare for opposition full-backs, particularly when he is in a system that gives him free rein to venture forward uninhibited.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
After bursting onto the scene as a teenager – as Micah Richards might put it – Trent Alexander-Arnold quickly became an indispensable part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team. His delivery from wide areas is unmatched in the Premier League and few right-backs have ever been as technically gifted.
While Alexander-Arnold’s defensive qualities have been questioned, his ability to create chances and retain possession puts him comfortably amongst the best full-backs in the world, and there is likely to be plenty more to come from the England international.
