Right-backs are some of the most important defensive players due to their versatility and because they ensure support defensively or offensively.
That said, right-backs are known for their enormous contributions to their team’s success. Interesting Football brings you the best right backs in the world in 2025
João Cancelo
João Cancelo’s defensive skills make him stand out as one of the best defenders in the world.
The Portuguese footballer who has been a key player is currently in the books of the Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.
Cancelo moved to Man City from Primeira Liga giants SL Benfica in 2019 and helped the Citizens to two Premier League titles. He also played a significant role as the club reached its first-ever Champions League final in the 2020–21 campaign.
He has been a standout player for since 2019. At Bayern Munich, he successfully found his footing before departing the club for Al Hilal.
Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro is another name that cannot be ignored when it comes to ranking the best right backs in the world.
The Spaniard has been applauded for his consistency in Tottenham Hotspur first team especially during the 2023/24 season where he managed an impressive rating throughout the season.
He is known for his ability to open up spaces and create goalscoring opportunities for the forward line.
Jules Koundé
Jules Koundé is one of the most exciting right-backs in the world. The 20-year-old Frenchman was key to Sevilla as they won the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League. His performance caught the eye of top teams, and he eventually moved to Barcelona.
The Frenchman was on the train to the World Cup, where he played three matches, including an appearance in the final as Les Bleus finished runners-up.
Koundé debuted for Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy before helping the team lift the Supercopa de España even though the club’s European ambitions fell through.
However, Jules Koundé has been exceptional in the defence as Barcelona maintains their push for the La Liga title as they lead rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Ben White
Well, Arsenal’s title charge may not be the same without the brilliance of Ben White. The right-back who can also play as a centre-back, has been involved in almost every Premier League game for the Gunners.
He joined the Gunners from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2021 after an impressive performance with the Seagulls.
This season, he has been part of Mikel Arteta’s project at Arsenal and has been mainly employed at right back, where he is now one of the shining lights in the team.
Apart from his role at right back, he has also shown to be effective in the offensive position with his overlapping and under lapping runs which have proven successful in opening up spaces for the wingers.
Arsenal are in the race for the Premier League title amid pressure from Manchester City, who continue to maintain their push for the league title.
Kyle Walker
There’s a reason Manchester City has successfully dominated the English Premier League in the last four to five seasons, and it is a result of Pep Guardiola’s scouting network.
Perhaps, Kyle Walker is a complete defender who has helped maintain the defensive capability of the Cityzens. Many have loved him for his pace and strength at the back.
He joined the Cityzens permanently in 2017 from Tottenham Hotspur after loans at Sheffield Utd, QPR, and Aston Villa. So far, England has won up to four Premier League titles.
This season, Kyle Walker has been a crucial player in the defence for Pep Guardiola even though, in his absence, the Spanish tactician had allowed youngster Rico Lewis to thrive.
Manchester City eyes a treble as they are currently in the competition for the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Jeremie Frimpong
The next name on the list is Jeremie Frimpong whose playing style continues to attract the attention of big clubs in Europe.
Jeremie Frimpong played a key role at Bayer Leverkusen during the club's dominance of German football in the 2023/24, winning the Bundesliga and the German Cup.
Jeremie Frimpong is a versatile player who has shown to be a reliable option in different areas of the right position at Bayer Leverkusen. His consistency sets him apart from other players in his position.
Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich has shown to be one of the most versatile players in world football. The German who plays primarily as a midfielder has continued to switch sides.
Regardless of his playing preference, he has been applauded for his role in the right back position at Bayern Munich.
Joshua Kimmich has been consistent in almost every role he has been deployed to at the club.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Despite the ups and downs, Trent Alexander-Arnold remains a top-level player. The England international was a key player for the Reds as they won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup last season.
Apart from last season, Trent had already established himself as a world-class defender when he helped the club to win the Champions League in 2018–19 and subsequently the Premier League 2019–20 and was handed the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
This season, the entire Liverpool squad has struggled with form, and Trent is no exception. However, he has been a key player, especially in crucial games.
Liverpool are looking to save their season as the race for a place in Europe looks shaky amid the arrival of new players like Newcastle United.
Dani Carvajal
"In important games he never fails. In the high pressure that we wanted to do, much of the merit is his, he pushed up a lot. In these types of matches he always makes the grade."
For over ten years, Dani Carvajal has been at the service of Real Madrid. The 33-year-old has also been a key player for the Los Blancos throughout the seasons he has spent at the club.
Carvajal is one of the few players in Europe who have won the UEFA Champions League titles five times and is on course to increase the tally in the current campaign.
What seems to be working for the Spaniard is his ability to bring stability to Real Madrid’s defence which has seen him work under different Managers, including Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.
This season, Dani Carvajal is one of the team’s mainstays and has been involved in pursuing the La Liga title. In Europe, he has been rock solid for Real Madrid as they are on course for another title.
He won the UEFA Super Cup with the Los Blancos this season.
Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi is on a different level when delivering on his defence duties. The Moroccan was one of the key players during the last world cup with the Moroccan Men’s National team.
The Atlas Lions, as they are nicknamed, got as far as finishing in fourth place, becoming the first African team to reach that stage in the tournament’s history.
Hakimi was in the books of Real Madrid before switching to Borussia Dortmund, where he rose to fame. The right-back was not shy at the biggest stage of German football as he commanded a starting shirt in the Yellow Wall.
But PSG came calling in 2021, and he has been in the first team ever since. Today, he is one of the best-performing defenders in the world in the books of the Parisians.
PSG could not fulfill their dreams of making it to the Champions League final this season as they were eliminated from the competition by Bayern Munich in the round of 16 over two legs.