Ranking the Top 25 Right Backs in World Football

Cafu and Dani Alves have made right-back play trendy in consecutive generations, but Jamie Carragher's words from almost a decade ago still ring true. Carragher famously said, "If you're a full back, you're either a failed winger or a failed centre back." He added that no one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville.

Although Cafu and Alves transformed the role of the full back, it has only recently become commonplace for their ideas to be embraced. Football is currently blessed with an abundance of unique right back talent, making it a challenging task to pinpoint the top 25 in the world.

As part of the 2023 Welcome to World Class series, we present our list of the top 25 right backs in the world.

Welcome to World Class is back for another series on 90min's YouTube Channel, social media accounts, and 90min.com. The hosts will be returning throughout the week to discuss and debate their 25-man squad and the Welcome to World Class XI. You can watch the show here.

Serge Aurier appeared just as perplexed as everyone else during his time at Tottenham. However, he has stood out during Nottingham Forest's return to the Premier League, delivering solid defensive displays.

There is a legend that a single glare from Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal can turn opposition wingers into stone. Coufal possesses a formidable presence and is known for his robust tackles while representing West Ham.

Lutsharel Geertruida has thrived at Feyenoord in recent seasons, earning a call-up to the Dutch national team and receiving praise for his performances.

Geertruida has showcased his talent during the early weeks of the 2023/24 season under Ange Postecoglou, establishing himself as one of the world's best attacking full-backs.

Juranovic has elevated his game since moving to Union Berlin from Celtic. He has become a key player for the club in the Bundesliga.

Mazraoui struggled to secure a regular spot in Bayern Munich's squad last season but has recently become a consistent presence. He is highly regarded for his skills on the field.

Sergi Roberto was given an opportunity to play at right back by former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique and immediately impressed with his creativity from wide areas. Roberto has remained a part of the team since his memorable winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018 Champions League. He can also operate further forward in midfield if needed.

Vanderson, who is heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, has showcased his impressive skills on the field. The 22-year-old is considered a legitimate talent.

Denmark international Alexander Bah has seamlessly adapted to Benfica's possession-focused style of play. While he occasionally commits fouls in defense, his accurate passing has earned him recognition on the international stage. He was also a standout performer during Benfica's memorable 2022/23 Champions League run.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's ability to excel in one-on-one situations is noteworthy. His long legs aid him in winning the ball and clearing danger consistently. Although he has shown improvement under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, concerns remain regarding his positional awareness and attacking contributions.

Diogo Dalot took some time to hit his stride at Old Trafford, but Erik ten Hag's arrival has accelerated his progress during the 2022/23 season. The Portugal international has become more prominent in attack while maintaining his defensive capabilities.

Arsenal's decision to spend around £50m on Ben White raised eyebrows, but he has proven his worth with solid performances at the Emirates. Whether deployed as a right back or centre back, White has consistently delivered.

Jeremie Frimpong, who spent much of his youth in England and played alongside Jadon Sancho in Manchester City's academy, was a fan favorite at Celtic. He carried his good form to Bayer Leverkusen, where he has thrived in the wide spaces offered by the Bundesliga.

A stalwart at Real Madrid for ten years with five Champions League crowns and three Spanish titles, Dani Carvajal will end his career as one of the most decorated defenders in football history.His importance to Los Blancos' success is up for debate, but there’s a reason why the Spaniard garnered the trust of both Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti in Madrid. Injuries have certainly slowed Carvajal down in recent years, but he remains one of the most reliable and complete full backs in the world.

Danilo has done a stellar job ensuring he's no longer viewed through the prism of Joao Cancelo in Turin. The Brazilian joined Juventus in a part exchange deal that saw the maverick Cancelo join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.The Portugal international's rise at the Etihad put Danilo in a difficult situation at the Allianz Stadium, but the veteran's importance to an albeit not-so-imperious Bianconeri can't be overstated.The veteran is so reliable and Cancelo's sharp decline at City makes Juve's decision to swap him for Danilo look rather shrewd.

Italy international Davide Calabria took his time to break through at AC Milan. His debut came all the way back in 2014/15 but he's finally the first choice right back for Rossoneri.He still gets his thrills by tackling over goals and assists but manages an attacking contribution every now and then.

The World Cup winner has consistently been one of the better full-backs in Europe for quite a while now. Having recently joined Inter, expect Pavard to continue to prove his worth in the coming seasons too.

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 Roberto Mancini's national team and is 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 can contribute in every phase and has certainly taken his new leadership role in Naples with ease.

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 he's since risen to greater prominence following his deserved move to Milan. Simone Inzaghi utilised Dumfries as an auxiliary winger.While he isn't the cleanest of technicians - both defensively and offensively - Dumfries is a physical behemoth and unstoppable when on song. His numbers will continue to boom under Inzaghi.

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.Following a difficult debut season at the Etihad, Cancelo rebounded in year two to establish himself as a regular in Pep Guardiola's side. The versatile full back seemed so crucial for City with his ability to avoid pressure, work impossible angles and combine around opponents being distinct features of his game.He became unsettled at City and a loan exit to Bayern Munich didn't yield a positive outcome. He is now set to get back to his best at Barcelona

Reece James is arguably the most complete right back in the game.Like Trent, James possesses a fierce crossing delivery and his ball-striking is that of a prolific number nine. The England international is a powerful figure down the right and he 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 Chelsea star's attacking prowess is complemented by his aggression without the ball, physicality in duels and sound defensive fundamentals. He just has to stay fit.

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.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. Gareth Southgate has often favoured the versatile and reliable Trippier over perhaps more talented individuals for the Three Lions.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has utterly revolutionised our 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 was pushed forward by Klopp in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, grabbing headlines with some sublime assists and playmaking.

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.

Mauricio Pochettino played a pivotal role in Kyle Walker's development.The England international was as raw as they got before Poch 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 any good.Walker, whose recovery speed and technical security remain crucial to his success, has 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 and ensuring City can establish a numerical superiority in midfield when they have the ball.He stepped in at crucial moments during City's treble winning campaign and will firmly be regarded as one of the finest full backs England has ever produced.

manual