Top 10 Best Right Backs In The World 2025
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Top 10 Best Right Backs In The World 2025

Top 10 Best Right Backs In The World 2025

For a long time in football, the right back position was seen as the weakest spot on the pitch, reserved for the least talented crop of the group.

Within the last decade or so, this mentality has rapidly shifted, with the rise of overlapping and inverting full backs now making it one of the most crucial positions in the modern game.

Just think of the difference in the mindset from the likes of Gary Neville and Lee Dixon, two defensive-minded right backs, in comparison to the modern offensive ones such as Achraf Hakimi and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Without further ado, here's the current top 10 right backs in the world.

Ben White

The Arsenal right back originally started his career at centre back with the likes of Leeds and Brighton, however he shifted wide under Arteta's system preferring four centre backs that allowed the two most comfortable on the ball to invert into midfield.

However, he also has the intelligence to know when to support the winger out wide instead, resulting in the goal below.

A very capable defender from his days in the heart of the defence, White makes for a good all-round right back.

Marcos Llorente

A midfielder-turned-right back, Marcos Llorente has become a versatile force for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side.

As it normally is under Simeone's system, Llorente will find himself generally pinned back against big opposition, but when the time comes, he has the energy and the speed available to charge up the pitch and make himself an option in the attacking third.

With composure on the ball and the passing and crossing abilities of a central midfielder, the Spaniard is a weaon of a right back offensively, while he is also able to put a shift in at the back.

Jeremie Frimpong

A major part of Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen invincibles team, Frimpong is undoubtedly stronger playing as a right wing-back. However his move to Liverpool means he is no longer afforded quite as much freedom.

His speed is electric, his goal contributions are certainly handy and he adds creativity to the team.

Frimpong's defensive ability has had some critics, but moving to Anfield to play alongside Virgil van Dijk will surely help him mature and learn how to balance his offensive skills with his defensive responsibilities.

Denzel Dumfries

The Dutchman isn't built like your typical modern right back. Instead he is as tall as a central defender and is capable of tucking into a back three as the third centre back due to his strong tackling ability and physicality.

Moving the other way, he certainly doesn't lack pace, even if he isn't as rapid as many of the others on this list, and he can whip a tantalising cross in for the likes of Marcus Thuram to head in.

Also, his 6ft 2in frame means he is a big threat in the opposition box from corners, an advantage he has over the competition in his position.

Pedro Porro

The Tottenham Hotspur player is another right back that favours going forward, except he is also a solid defensive option.

His performance against Manchester City earlier on this season typified his importance in Thomas Frank's system, with his runs high up the pitch stretching the opposition defence, plus his crossing ability to the back post for Brennan Johnson is exceptional.

Dani Carvajal

Easily the most successful option on this list, and a man who would have been at the top a few years back, Carvajal is still a solid right back option.

A great all rounder who is a solid defender that also excels going forward with driving runs, the Spaniard has had his fair share of goal involvements down the years - most notably his header in the 2024 Champions League Final that capped off a Man of the Match performance.

You certainly don't play for Real Madrid for 12 years without being one of the greats of your position in the modern day.

Jules Kounde

Another option that originally started as a central defender, Kounde has since moved to right back for Barcelona to invert and create a box midfield when in possession.

This is perfect for the Frenchman, as he is a strong defender that usually gets the better of his winger, yet on the ball in inverted positions he is capable of playing accurate short passes that are required of him - rather than having to put crosses in the box in an overlapping role, where he would struggle.

Reece James

Regarded by some as the best right back in the world when fit, James has been let down for several years now by recurring knee and hamstring injuries - in fact, he hardly played any football between 2023 and 2025.

Now under Enzo Maresca's management, the Italian has managed his minutes well and has stayed almost entirely fit since his return at the start of this calendar year.

A good tackler with recovery pace and one of the best crosses a right back can have, James favours an overlap role, however has been made to invert since the start of last season - sometimes even playing as a defensive midfielder.

When free of injury and overlapping the winger, there is certainly a case for him to be at number one on this list, however the consistent worries regarding his minutes to not cause recurring issues means he has to stick at third.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Since moving to Real Madrid on a free to replace the aging Carvajal, he has certainly made some errors that have led to goals.

However, there is a reason the Spanish giants were chasing him for a couple of years, mainly due to his passing ability that is unlike anything ever seen from a right back before.

His free-kicks certainly aren't bad either, although his defensive positioning has come under scrutiny for the majority of his career due to him always being so high up the pitch.

Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi has already played for a handful of Europe's biggest clubs, having come through the ranks in Madrid before playing at Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and now Paris Saint-Germain.

Since joining Paris in 2021, Hakimi has solidified his place as the world's best right back due to his skill, pace, dribbling and attacking positioning.

Last season in particular, the Moroccan was instrumental in Luis Enrique's high-press football that won them their maiden Champions League, as he was able to move high up the pitch but also get back in time if the press was beaten due to his acceleration speed.

Also, his mixture of inverting and overlapping makes him unpredictable, and he has the ability to finish like a more advanced player in his locker too.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Ashton Cox

Writer

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