Ranking the 10 Best Right Backs in the World: From Achraf Hakimi To Malo Gusto

There was a time when football evolved around the supremacy of the elite forwards. No one would think to discuss the best right backs in the world, as the position was not something that attracted a young football player. But, over time, the definition of football has changed a lot, and with that, the process of playing the game has evolved around every position. Nowadays, just like the talented wingers and forwards claim the glory through finding goals, the right backs are also determining the results of the games with both their offensive and defensive strengths, which they are now generally tasked to do, unlike the full-backs from yesteryear.

From the likes of Gary Neville and Dani Alves to the modern-day sensations such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Achraf Hakimi, the roles of the right backs have transformed rapidly, reflecting the managers’ expectations in the attacking department from full-backs more than their normal responsibility in defense.

Ranking Factors

Consistency: Consistency is the most important point to make a list of the best right backs in the world currently. Players with regular playing time have been given extra focus during the selection as consistent appearance highlights their impact on their respective clubs’ successful run in all competitions.

Goal and Assist contribution: The modern-day right backs are equally good in both defense and attack, as they are used in attacking areas most to help the forwards get goals. Contribution in goals and assists has been pivotal in finding the best right backs.

Defensive ability: As the primary responsibility of the right-backs is defending, the ability to restrict opponents before entering the danger zone is a key parameter to choose the best set of full-backs.

Best Right Backs Right Now

10. Tino Livramento

Tino Livramento is one of the newest discoveries in the English Premier League as the talented young full-back is gradually showing his claws with each passing day. Coming from the youth academy of Chelsea, the 22-year-old right back earned praise when he was at Southampton, resulting in a million-dollar move to Newcastle United in 2024. The first few months with the Black and Whites showed the possibility of Tino Livramento becoming one of the best right backs in the world very soon. And within just one year, the English defender has been an untouchable figure in Eddie Howe’s setup.

What sets Livramento apart from other talented right backs is his adaptability in every possible situation in a game. His aggression in attacking, sprinting power, and player marking strength have made him a great asset for Newcastle United, and no wonder why the English club is cruising toward a possible UEFA Champions League spot.

9. Marcos Llorente

The former Real Madrid product, Marcos Llorente, has gradually reached his career high after joining Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Once a central midfielder, the Spaniard now operates as a full-time full-back in the Spanish capital. Llorente has always been a versatile figure for the La Liga outfit for the last six seasons, guarding their left flank with experience and energy. His defensive ability, unbelievable work rate, and speed help him win over the fast-paced forwards like Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe week in and week out in the Spanish top flight.

People talk about the defensive strength of Atletico Madrid in Europe, and there should be no doubt about the fact that Marcos Llorente is one of the best right back right now.

8. Malo Gusto

Malo Gusto, alongside Cole Palmer, is probably the best signing Chelsea Football Club has made in recent years, given the English club’s poor track record in the transfer market. In the absence of the English star Reece James, Gusto has proven himself on every occasion he has been thrown into by the Blues’ manager. The young defender from Lyon, who was unknown to elite European football a few years ago, has now become a consistent performer, having brought a sense of relief on the left flank in every competition, thanks to his stamina, physicality, and pace.

Speed and agility have always been two traits that have pushed Malo Gusto to the forefront of success in recent years, resulting in him being on the list of the best right backs right now in the world. If he continues to stay in this shape, then he must be in the fray of the best for years to come.

7. Giovanni Di Lorenzo

If there is any player who has demonstrated resilience and determination in the best possible way, then the name of Giovanni Di Lorenzo will be on top. The Italian full-back is the epitome of the perfect mixture of attacking and defending mentality, as his current performance demonstrates across all competitions. However, it has not been a fairytale journey for the Italian right back as his career saw a straight downfall between 2019 and 2020. He had one of the worst times in the 2024 UEFA Euro Championship as Italy crashed out of the tournament.

But before that, Di Lorenzo showed great intent as the captain of Napoli and led the Italian club to their dream Scudetto in the 2022-23 season, matching Diego Maradona’s record. Under Antonio Conte’s coaching, the 31-year-old full-back has not only managed to claim a legendary status in the Serie A outfit but also has been established as one of the best right backs in the world, demonstrating leadership, attacking, and defensive prowess on the turf.

6. Denzel Dumfries

Another right back coming from the rich defensive unit of the Italian top flight is Denzel Dumfries. The talented full-back from the Netherlands could not find his rhythm until he took a bold decision to move to PSV Eindhoven in 2018, and his career has taken a positive u-turn ever since. The elite right-back found his groove when he came to Inter and was thrown into a defensive setup, perfect for Dumfries to improve his defensive ability.

The 28-year-old full-back has been a monumental figure in Inter Milan’s recent domestic success and European exploits. Dumfries has gradually been on the right track to become one of the best right backs in modern-day football with the help of his attacking tenacity and stamina that have helped him thrive in the middle in a commonly used 3-5-2 formation of Inter Milan.

5. Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber is another young machine who has been in the form of his life recently for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has been using him in his attacking department after Ben White left a void in the full-back and center-back positions due to a severe ankle injury. His boots have been perfectly filled by the Dutch prodigy Jurrien Timber, a player who is a magician in producing perfect crosses and winning important duel on the flanks. His main forte is his quick feet, which have made it difficult for opponents to beat him during attacks. Timber is a perfect player to implement Arteta’s counter-attacking tactics.

The Dutchman is a complete right-back who can also operate on the left if necessary. Timber’s most important trait lies in his aggressive excellence and adaptability. His strong mentality to win the ball by tracking back has made him one of the best right backs currently.

4. Jules Kounde

Another French player who features on the list of the best right backs in the world currently is Jules Kounde. Primarily a center-back, the defender with a small stature began his career in the middle of the backline before going through a transition to become a right back for a perfect cause that has been beneficial for not only Barcelona, but also for his country.

Kounde offers a platform for his teammates to go with the ball higher up on the pitch, positioning himself in an area that connects the defense with attack subtly. The Frenchman is a perfect right back who can live up to the expectations of a modern-day manager: running with pace to win the ball in defensive areas and setting the forwards out in the open with through balls. His work rate and intelligence have been fueling Barcelona’s hunt for a sextuple in the 2024-25 season.

3. Jeremie Frimpong

Jeremie Frimpong is what a right back in modern-day football must be. The Dutchman is more focused on carrying the ball forward down the wing, rather than sitting back to defend, and this is what the managers want from their full-backs nowadays. Under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso, Frimpong has risen from the gloomiest phase to become one of the best right backs in the world, who operates as an extra man in the attack, giving the forwards a free hand to go deep into the box. His attacking prowess came into the limelight when he recorded 14 goals in the Bundesliga last season despite being deployed as a full-back.

When he is with the ball, it becomes very difficult for his opponents to catch up due to his bursting pace and quick-passing skills. Alonso’s fluid football has given him the licence to venture unchallenged without the worries of defending, which has made him more ferocious on the pitch.

2. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold is probably the most creative right-back in the world, given his skills with the ball and goal-scoring ability. Aided by a wide array of passing, attacking prowess, anda keen eye to find teammates with through passes, the English full-back has been a star in Liverpool’s rejuvenated line-up that has claimed several major trophies in the last few years.

Amidst the rumour of him already signing a contract with the La Liga champions Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold is operating with the best use of his technical ability under the new Liverpool coach, Arne Slot, andis on his way to winning another Premier League title this year. Many are of the view that the English defender will try his luck elsewhere after winning almost everything with the Reds.

1. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi has been a bona fide figure in the full-back position for quite a few years now, and he is the best right back in the world currently. After spending years of improvement in Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan, the Moroccan superstar has found his footing in the Ligue 1 club, Paris Saint-Germain.

In the last few years, PSG’s left line has been securely operated by Hakimi, who has been rock solid in both defense and attack, helping his team in a smooth transition from defense to attack in the blink of an eye with his pace and defense-tearing passes. The energetic full-back has recently signed a new contract in the French capital that will keep him in Ligue 1 until 2029.

List of Best Right Backs In The World