Top 10 Best right backs in the World 2023

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Ibiye Ambille
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Right-backs are some of the most important defensive players due to their versatility and because they ensure support defensively or offensive.

 

That said, right-backs are known for their enormous contributions to their team’s success.

Who are the best right-backs in the world right now? João Cancelo is arguably one of the best in the last few seasons. The Portuguese have been a key player at Man City until his recent loan to Bayern Munich. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jules Koundé, and Kyle Walker are some of the big names in this position.

 

Interesting Football brings you the best right backs in the world in 2023.

 

10. Giovanni Di Lorenzo

 

Napoli Serie A title charge may not be the same without the outstanding contributions of Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The Italian footballer fits perfectly into the system of coach Luciano Spalletti.

 

Thanks to the brilliance of Di Lorenzo as the captain of the club, the Partenopei have established a strong lead at the top of the table and look set to win their first title in thirty years.

 

Apart from the domestic campaign, he has been heavily involved in the team’s success in the Champions League, where they advanced to the quarter-finals against the expectations of most football fans.

 

This season, he has been involved in almost every game in the Serie A and the Champions League, scoring and providing four assists for the team.

 

9. João Cancelo

 

João Cancelo’s defensive skills make him stand out as one of the best defenders in the world. The Portuguese footballer has been a key player for Pep Guardiola’s team at Manchester City before his recent loan move to Bayern Munich.

 

Cancelo moved to Man City from Primeira Liga giants SL Benfica in 2019 and has helped the Citizens to two Premier League titles. He played a significant role as the club reached its first-ever Champions League final in the 2020–21 campaign.

 

He has been such an important player for Manchester City since 2019. This season, he was not guaranteed full minutes as is expected for a player of his level, and he eventually earned the move to the Bundesliga.

 

At Bayern Munich, Cancelo has already found himself as a starter despite managerial changes at Allianz Arena. By and large, the Portuguese is a top-level player and has shown to fit into any team.

Read: Top 10 best defenders in the world

8. Ben White

 

https://twitter.com/VipArsenal/status/1647589082879475715

Well, Arsenal’s title charge may not be the same without the brilliance of Ben White. The 25-year-old 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.

 

7. 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.

Read: Top 10 Best right backs in the Premier League

6. 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.

 

5. 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.

Read: The best Goalkeepers in the world ranked

4. Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier is a perfect example of a world-class player who has shown to be a quality addition to his team. The 22-year-old was one of the pillars of Atletico Madrid before switching to Premier League side Newcastle United.

 

The England international joined the relegation threatened Magpies under a new manager Eddie Howe. But brought out his leadership skills and helped the team finish in mid-table.

 

Kieran Trippier’s record in the backline was a huge business for the new richest football club in England, and they became the team that conceded the least goals at the end of 2021/22.

 

This season, Trippier has played almost every game for the Magpies, including the disappointing Carabao Cup loss to Manchester United.

 

He has also formed a strong defensive wall alongside Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, and Dan Burn. He would be crucial as Newcastle United look to qualify for Europe next season.

Read: Top 10 best defenders in the Premier League  

3. Reece James

 

Reece James is now a top-level player who has shown high consistency in the English Premier League with Chelsea. The academy graduate broke into the first team and has cemented his place.

 

The English footballer played a significant role as Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League in 2021 under the guidance of Thomas, who gave him the complete freedom to thrive in the team.

 

Reece James has been loved for his ball-playing style. The England international is known for his defensive and offensive capabilities, which have proved vital for Chelsea.

 

This season, Reece James has had mixed results. However, he continues to put on his A-game whenever he is on the pitch.

 

2. Dani Carvajal

 

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.

Read: Top 10 Best players in La Liga

1. Achraf Hakimi

 

Achraf Hakimi is on another level when delivering on his defence duties. The 25-year-old 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.