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?
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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.
We produced a tally of 19 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.
10. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
“Like a new signing” was a cliche that Arsene Wenger would use to assure fans that Arsenal could compete with oil-rich rivals once Abou Diaby had recovered from his latest setback. In the case of Jurrien Timber, however, it’s all the more relevant.
Following an ACL injury on Matchday 1 of 2022/23, the Dutchman’s ‘take two’ season has started phenomenally. Principally a right-back who can play across the backline, Timber has shown himself to be a complete footballer for the Gunners, able to invert into midfield, defend one against one and bomb up and down a touchline, too, with his passing ability everything you’d expect from a graduate of Ajax’s academy. One wonders just how Arsenal could have fared in a title race last term with a Swiss Army Knife like this available in the backline.
9. Joao Cancelo (Al-Hilal
The 30-year-old finally brought his Manchester City career to a close this summer, 18 months after falling out of favour with Pep Guardiola. He may not have got on with the City boss, but successful loan spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona proved that it was not his talent that was in question.
The Portuguese remains one of the best right-backs in the world but has now taken his talents to Saudi Arabia after signing a permanent deal with Al-Hilal in the summer.
8. Benjamin White (Arsenal)
It’s testament to Ben White’s lack of ego that he seamlessly slotted from centre-back to right-back in Arsenal’s system without any fuss – and perhaps indicative of a man who, infamously, has a supposed lack of interest in the trivial or tribal aspects of the industry that pays his wages.
But White looks born to be a full-back: adept defensively with an engine that allows him to overlap Bukayo Saka and be everywhere he needs to be. White is ferociously aggressive when he needs to be but shows calm and poise in possession. His evolution as a footballer has changed Arteta’s thinking to bring in complete full-backs fighting for spots in his side – and has perhaps influenced Pep Guardiola to field a similar player at left-back in Josko Gvardiol.
7. Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
The 28-year-old 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. 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.
4. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Already with four of Europe’s biggest teams on his CV at the age of 25, Hakimi has emerged as one of the world’s best right-backs during his current spell with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Morocco international began life as a winger and uses his attacking traits and passing range to supplement his defensive acumen and physical presence. Hakimi has already earned 75 caps for his country and was last year nominated for the 2023 African Footballer of the Year.
3. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
A key part of Bayer Leverkusen’s Invincibles as they romped to a league and cup double as well as the Europa League final, Frimpong contributed a whopping 14 goals and 12 assists in all competition for Xabi Alonso’s side, most of which came from wing-back.
That form has seen Frimpong start to push for a place in the Dutch national side, but his opportunities have been limited thanks to Ronald Koeman’s preference for a back four. But at just 23-year-old and having made an equally impressive start to the new Bundesliga season, there’s time yet for Frimpong to force his way in.
2. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Right-back isn’t even Kimmich’s primary position, either historically or even through much of this year, so it says something that the midfielder still gets our nod for his performances in the role.
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).
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
There is still no other full-back in the world who can match Alexander-Arnold for quality when he is at the best: his expected assists, chance creation and shooting numbers are still through the roof by usual full-back standards.
Here’s the kicker: his actual assists per 90 minutes is still the lowest it has been since he broke into the Liverpool first team. For those numbers to have fallen yet still rank among the very best says a lot about just how good TAA can be.
