Top 10 Right-Backs in the World Today

Joao Cancelo, born on May 27, 1994, is a professional Portuguese footballer who plays as a right-back for Manchester City and the Portugal national team. A creative, skillful, powerful, and versatile defender, he is regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world.

Although primarily a right-back, Joao Cancelo has been excelling on the left side under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, becoming an irreplaceable part of Manchester City’s lineup. However, Cancelo's brilliance isn't just about his flair and dazzling technical skills that make headlines. Against Southampton, we saw an upgraded version of Cancelo: he scored a goal and provided an assist. His goal came from a solo run down the left wing, where he bypassed the Southampton defense with a clever turn. The assist, while not spectacular, was executed with perfect precision—a low cross to Haaland who finished clinically. This time, Cancelo wasn't just in the spotlight for his unique skills; he was recognized as a complete full-back. He crosses, scores, builds play from the back, and defends with excellence. Cancelo’s flexibility allows him to adapt and excel, even playing as a left-back after the return of football post-COVID. His style of play has made him the finished product of Guardiola’s tactical teachings, much like Kimmich, Lahm, and Walker before him.

His crosses from deep on the left flank are a dangerous weapon for Manchester City. When Cancelo delivers a ball with the inside of his right foot, it curls toward goal. If he uses the outside of his right foot, it’s a trademark trivela. And when he doesn’t cross, he takes on defenders and cuts inside to create opportunities.

In 2017, Manchester City made a £54 million move to bring Kyle Walker to the Etihad Stadium. At the time, it was a record transfer fee for a defender. Kyle Andrew Walker, born May 28, 1990, is an English footballer who currently plays as a right-back for Manchester City and the England national team.

Regarded as one of the top right-backs in the Premier League over the past six years, Kyle Walker has been a rock-solid presence on the right flank for Man City. At 31 years old, Walker combines a calm and composed playing style with unwavering solidity in his defensive duties. His speed and precise tackling are standout qualities, alongside his exceptional game intelligence. England fans can attest to Walker’s defensive acumen, particularly following his outstanding performances, such as his crucial role in England's Euro 2020 match against Germany. It’s no surprise that Walker has held his place as England's first-choice right-back, surpassing renowned names like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, and Reece James. A complete defender, Walker brings a wealth of experience and calmness to both attack and defense.

On the right flank, Walker avoids being dominated by taller center-backs and thrives with his blistering pace. He’s also capable of cutting inside to create attacking opportunities, satisfying his desire to get involved in goal-scoring. Walker's development into a powerful, 1.83-meter-tall full-back has solidified his role, and since then, he has never looked back.

Trent John Alexander-Arnold, born October 7, 1998, is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Liverpool and the England national team. Known for his dribbling, flair, and creative assists, he is regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football.

Although primarily a right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold has made over 60 assists in more than 200 appearances for Liverpool by the age of 23, making him one of the most effective attacking players in modern football. This season, although he still starts as a right-back, Alexander-Arnold frequently moves into central areas. Most of the chances he creates now come from this space, challenging the conventional role of a full-back. His central movement is a tactical decision driven by Jurgen Klopp, who set up a flexible system to create winning moments. Klopp allows Alexander-Arnold more freedom to roam centrally, a move that benefits both attack and defense. Passing has always been one of Alexander-Arnold’s greatest strengths, and he is incredibly confident in his passing abilities, relishing the chance to make key passes.

Alexander-Arnold is no longer a stranger to football fans. His skills and tactical awareness make him a highly talented player, and his ability to collect numerous trophies at a young age showcases his brilliance. Despite his youth, Alexander-Arnold has already proven himself wise beyond his years and experienced in crucial moments during high-stakes matches.

Benjamin Pavard, born March 28, 1996, is a French professional footballer who currently plays as a right-back for Bayern Munich and the French national team. Although typically deployed as a right-back, he is also capable of playing as a center-back.

Former president Uli Hoeness once predicted that Benjamin Pavard would become one of the best signings in Bayern's history. While it took some time to prove this, the 24-year-old defender is now living up to that prediction. Pavard is a versatile defender, capable of playing on both flanks. He is highly regarded for his speed, and his ability to strike from long distances is particularly impressive. While his preferred position is center-back, Pavard is capable of playing right-back, central defensive midfielder, or right midfielder. Under coach Tayfun Korkut, Pavard was only used as a center-back, and VfB Stuttgart struggled in the league. His aerial ability, technical skills, lightning-fast pace, and excellent long-range passing after strong duels have made him a key leader in France's defense.

Benjamin Pavard is also the only defender to score a stunning long-range goal against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final. This moment marked his rise to prominence, and it was the turning point in his career.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo, born August 4, 1993, is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Serie A club Napoli and the Italian national team.

A versatile player, Giovanni Di Lorenzo can also operate as a center-back, an attacking full-back, or a right midfielder, thanks to his offensive abilities. While not the quickest player on the field, Di Lorenzo is tall, technically skilled, and capable of using both feet. He is also known for his stamina, physicality, and aerial ability. Di Lorenzo's style of play has earned him comparisons to Gabriel Batistuta. At Napoli, under managers Ancelotti and Gattuso, he has played as a right-back in a four-man defense. He has also been deployed as a center-back and right-back, but his attacking nature, stemming from his early years as a forward, stands out. In the previous season, Di Lorenzo was an effective attacking full-back for Napoli, contributing a total of 12 goals (4 goals, 8 assists) across all competitions. However, his defensive skills are also strong; in Italy's system, Di Lorenzo often plays more conservatively, covering as a third center-back while allowing the left flank to focus on attacking.

Another important trait of Di Lorenzo is his remarkable durability, as he has rarely been injured. Last season, he only missed two matches due to suspension. With such consistency, it's no wonder Roberto Mancini values him highly.

Pedro Antonio Porro, born September 13, 1999, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right-winger for Sporting CP and the Spanish national team.

At Sporting Lisbon, Porro has been impressive both defensively and in supporting the attack, with 3 goals and 1 assist reflecting his outstanding performances. His form has earned him the title of the best defender of the month in the Portuguese Primeira Liga three times, opening doors to the Spanish national team. Although he had limited opportunities in Spain's World Cup 2022 qualifiers, Porro remains a sought-after talent, with Real Madrid particularly interested in signing him. His versatility as a winger, where he has shone both at Valladolid and Sporting, makes him a valuable asset for top clubs. Despite playing as a right-back, his attacking runs are remarkable and technically refined. Porro is also known for his aggressive, determined defending, which has caught the attention of several top teams, eager to secure his services.

Porro is likely to be a key figure in upcoming transfer windows, with his dual ability to contribute to both attack and defense making him an ideal target for many top clubs.

Benjamin William White, born October 8, 1997, is a professional footballer from England who currently plays as a defender for Arsenal and the England national team. Primarily a center-back, he can also play as a right-back.

Arsenal fans can confidently look to White to fill the void left by the departure of former captain Laurent Koscielny. The Gunners had been lacking a center-back with both speed and aggression. White's pace is good enough for him to operate effectively as a right-back, offering Arsenal additional stability against counter-attacks. Despite being just 23, he’s known for staying tight on opponents and using his agility to intercept passes and block the ball. Though not always the leader in statistical categories, White's average of 1.24 interceptions and 1.27 clearances per game last season outperformed any Arsenal defender. Sky Sports analysis highlights his spatial awareness as a key asset, distinguishing him from many of Arsenal's previous center-backs. In his 82 appearances for Brighton and Leeds in the last two seasons, White didn't make any mistakes leading to opposition shots. Defending isn't the primary reason Arsenal paid £50 million for him.

What Arsenal truly values in White is his ball-playing ability. To facilitate Mikel Arteta's possession-based approach, both center-backs must be comfortable on the ball, and White excels at this role.

Reece James, born December 8, 1999, is a professional English footballer who plays as a right-back for Chelsea and the England national team.

As the most versatile player to emerge from Chelsea's Cobham academy, Reece James can play in multiple positions. His style reflects a new trend in the Premier League, where full-backs not only defend but also push forward to provide dangerous assists, often matching the offensive players in terms of creativity. James has excelled in both the right-back and right wing-back roles this season. Known for his exceptional crossing ability, he is adept at adjusting his positioning based on the ball’s location and sometimes even moves centrally, like a midfielder. In the opening round of the Premier League, he scored a powerful long-range goal against Brighton from 27 meters. His positional versatility is an invaluable asset for Chelsea.

James's attacking runs have proven vital in creating numerical advantages on the flanks, setting up 2 assists in the Premier League this season, and using his speed and crossing ability to support both the forwards and midfielders.

Achraf Hakimi, born November 4, 1998, is a professional footballer from Morocco who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and the Morocco national team. He primarily plays as a right-back, though he occasionally features as a wing-back in attack.

Known for his blistering pace, intelligent runs, and goal-scoring ability, Hakimi is regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football. When he joined Borussia Dortmund, he quickly gained a reputation as a dynamic, attacking full-back with an excellent tactical and technical understanding of the game. His ability to deliver accurate long passes from the back has also been a standout feature. Trained as a winger, his physicality and stamina have allowed him to adapt seamlessly to the right-back position. Many experts consider him one of the finest right-backs in the world today. Hakimi has continued his impressive form in front of goal this season, even breaking the record for the most goals scored by a defender for PSG. He has become a reliable rock at the back for goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while also contributing significantly to PSG’s attacking play. Hakimi is poised to be a key figure in global football for years to come.

Playing for PSG has provided Hakimi with an ideal platform to showcase his talents, surrounded by a world-class squad. His aggressive defensive style, combined with his sharp attacking instincts, gives him ample opportunity to evolve into one of the finest right-backs in the world.

Kieran John Trippier, born September 19, 1990, is an English footballer who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Newcastle United and the England national team.

Trippier, a product of the Manchester City academy, never made a first-team appearance for the club. He is one of the rare attacking full-backs in England, known for his excellent crossing ability, deadly free-kicks, and contributions to the attacking play of his team. A prime example of his skill came during the 2018 World Cup when he scored a stunning free-kick against Croatia, drawing comparisons to the legendary David Beckham. Trippier is one of the best at creating assists, regularly providing key passes for his teammates to score. However, while he excels offensively, his defensive abilities are less polished, though he continues to improve. On average, he makes around 2.5 clearances per match, and his tendency to push forward sometimes leads to defensive errors. Nevertheless, Trippier stands out as one of England's finest attacking full-backs. His leadership and contribution have played a major role in Newcastle United's impressive rise in the Premier League this season, surprising many with their rapid improvement.

As captain, Trippier has shown tremendous growth, leading Newcastle with the maturity and composure of a seasoned leader. His years of experience have shaped him into a player of exceptional quality, making him one of the most respected defenders in the league today.