The Best Right Backs In The World Right Now
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The Best Right Backs In The World Right Now

The Best Right Backs In The World Right Now

As of June 2025, world football is truly blessed with a plethora of world-class full-backs, and particularly right-backs. Some of those are seasoned veterans, who have been dominating the game for over a decade, while other are exciting young talents that have recently burst onto the scene and made a big impression. Gone are the days when their sole job was defending and lumping balls down the line, today, right-backs are required be dynamic, versatile, and contribute at both ends of the pitch, which makes it one of the toughest roles to play in football. So, here at Football Park, we took a dive in to find out, who are the best right-backs in the world right now?

10 - Dani Carvajal

9 - Rico Lewis

8 - Jurrien Timber

7 - Reece James

6 - Joshua Kimmich

5 - João Cancelo

4 - Denzel Dumfries

3 - Jeremie Frimpong

2 - Trent Alexander-Arnold

1 - Achraf Hakimi

10 - Dani Carvajal

A cornerstone of Real Madrid’s golden era, Dani Carvajal has spent over a decade collecting silverware at the Bernabéu, which includes an astonishing five Champions League titles. Not too long ago, the Spanish full-back would’ve been a serious contender for the top spot on this list, but as he enters the twilight of his career at 33, he has naturally found himself slightly lower down in the rankings. That said, he’s still more than capable of delivering when it matters, and for everything he’s achieved and still brings to the pitch, he more than deserves his place among this list.

9 - Rico Lewis

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Carvajal, Rico Lewis represents the bright future of the right-back role. The Manchester City academy graduate has burst onto the scene in recent seasons and has been moulded by Pep Guardiola into one of the most tactically intelligent young players in world football. At just 20 years of age, he’s already claimed multiple Premier League medals, with Guardiola frequently praising his intelligence, adaptability, and calmness in high-pressure situations.

8 - Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber may have had a frustrating start to his Arsenal career due to injury, but make no mistake - this guy is seriously good. Before his move to North London, he was a standout at Ajax, and showed composure, athleticism, and tactical awareness at such a young age.

He's both comfortable at both centre-back and right-back which shows his versatility, with his biggest strengths being how calm he looks on the ball under pressure, and how he carries it forward, threading passes through the lines, and reading danger early. Mikel Arteta clearly sees him as a key piece of Arsenal’s future - and if he can stay fit, he has the potential to become one of the best defenders in Europe.

7 - Reece James

When he’s fit, Reece James is a beast. Strong, quick, technically brilliant and capable of whipping in a cross that defenders and goalkeepers can only stare at, and at his best, he’s arguably the most complete right-back in the world.

The frustrating bit? Injuries. It’s been stop-start for James in recent seasons, but when he’s on the pitch, Chelsea look like a different team. If he can manage to stay fit over the coming seasons, there's no doubt he’ll climb his way up this list.

6 - Joshua Kimmich

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more intelligent footballer than Joshua Kimmich. Originally breaking through as a right-back under Pep Guardiola, he’s since evolved into one of the best all-round midfielders in the game. That said, he still slips back into the right-back role when often enough to make this list - and looks just as comfortable there as ever. He’s the definition of reliable, and his versatility makes him an absolute gem for Bayern and Germany alike.

5 - João Cancelo

João Cancelo is, quite simply, a magician in full-back form, and even after his move to Saudi giants Al-Hilal, he has continued to show why he’s one of the most gifted and technically unique defenders of his generation. Much like Kimmich, he doesn’t play like a typical right-back, he instead drifts inside and plays passes you’d expect from a top-tier No. 10. He might not be in Europe anymore, but the talent? Still world-class.

4 - Denzel Dumfries

Denzel Dumfries' game is slightly different to the 'modern' full-back role, with his game being built more around power and timing, which includes bursting into the box and muscling his way through wingers. He's been described as a 'battering ram' down the right for Inter, and has remarkably got the physicality of a centre-back and the attacking instincts of a striker, which makes him a nightmare to deal with. He’s probably not the most elegant, but when it comes to impact, few right-backs are more effective.

3 - Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong has gone from under-the-radar Celtic signing to one of Europe’s most exciting full-backs, and would would be number one if the list was 'the best right-wing backs in the world right now'. Now a vital part of Xabi Alonso’s electric Bayer Leverkusen side, he’s absolutely flying - literally.

Much like the modern-day full-back, his game thrives around driving forward, taking defenders on, and making things happen in the final third. That said, sometimes that can mean the defensive side can fall behind, but not for Frimpong. He works just as hard off the ball and never shies away from the defensive side of things, and at just 24, he’s only scratching the surface of what he can do.

2 - Trent Alexander-Arnold

It still feels strange saying it, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is now a Real Madrid player after what was an incredible start to his career at Liverpool where he became a generational talent, and revolutionised the full-back role. Now, he’s taken his trademark creativity and swagger to the Bernabéu, and looks set to break records for years to come.

While his defending has occasionally drawn criticism, it’s clear that when used correctly - either as a traditional right-back or drifting into midfield - he becomes a game-changer, and at at just 26, he’s already won every major trophy with Liverpool and now looks set to do the same in Spain.

1 - Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi is the full package. Quick, powerful, composed, and absolutely relentless going forward, he’s everything you want in a modern right-back - and then some. At 26, he’s right in his prime, and has now proven he can do it on all stages after winning the Champions League with PSG. His spot on this list can be matched by no other right-back in world football, and in terms of consistency and versatility - there’s no one better right now.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Josh Jablonski

Content Writer

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