“No one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville”- Jaime Carragher.
While those words may ring true for some people, there’s no denying that any fullback role is an incredibly difficult position to play. Despite this, some have managed to make this position look easy. On that note, in this article we’ll be looking at the top 25 best right backs in the world football since the year 2000.
Similar to the left backs article that I recently posted, instead of just choosing 25 great players, I will be listing the top 5 right backs from each of the top five European football leagues. The leagues in question are The Bundesliga (Germany), Ligue 1 (France), Serie A(Italy), La Liga (Spain) and The Premier League (England).
Table of Contents
Top 5 Bundesliga right backs in the 21st century
5. Achraf Hakimi
Embed from Getty ImagesTo be fair, there may be a bit of recency bias attached to this pick. Achraf Hakimi only spent two seasons in the Bundesliga and transferred to Inter Milan at 21 years of age. However, in the two years he spent at Borrussia Dortmund (2018-2020), he put together some very impressive performances.
During his time at Dortmund he won the 2019 DFL-Supercup as well as several individual awards, such as the 2018 and 2019 CAF youth player of the year.
In his Hakimi’s short career, he’s been well-known for his blistering pace and incredible attacking output. Safe to say that the ceiling is pretty high for hm.
4. Willy Sagnol
Embed from Getty ImagesMany seem to wonder why Philip Lahm spent the early days of his Bayern Munich career playing at left back. The simple answer to that question is Willy Sagnol.
Going into the new millennium, Willy Sagnol firmly cemented himself as the starting right back for Bayern Munich. During his time in Bavaria, he won 5 Bundesliga title, 1 Champions league title and many more.
Although he was mostly known for his pinpoint crossing accuracy, he was adept in both defence and attack.
3. Łukasz Piszczek
Embed from Getty ImagesA Dortmund legend. In recent years, it’s been quite difficult to pinpoint the version of Borrussia Dortmund that you’re going to get each season. This is largely due to the fact that clubs (Bayerm Munich) tend to buy their star players every year, meaning they are constantly rebuilding. Despite this, Łukasz Piszczek has been a constant performer for them.
His versatility has also proven to be an asset as he was capable of playing as both a right back and a centre back.
During his time in Dortmund, he’s won 2 Bundesliga titles and several other accolades, such as being selected in Bundesliga team of the season in 2016 and 2017.
2. Josua Kimmich
Embed from Getty ImagesNothing describes this man better than the word passionate. Despite only being 25, Kimmich is rated highly by just about all football fans.
The reason for this is simple; he’s not really a right back, is he? I mean he is, but he isn’t really, you know? What I’m trying to say is that even according to him, his preferred position is defensive midfielder.
Due to injuries to key players and some bad luck, Bayern were forced to play Kimmich at RB early in his career. However, can you really call it bad luck if your “makeshift” defender ends up winning several Bundesliga titles, a Champions League title and being selected as the UEFA Champions League defender of the year in a Champions League winning season? I guess not.
Best known for his tireless work rate, his incredible ability to win the ball back in defence and his super tactical awareness. I won’t be surprised if he’s considered amongst the greats when he hangs up his boots.
1. Philip Lahm
Embed from Getty ImagesProbably the ultimate example of a right back in German football.
For a man that’s considered as one of the greatest defenders and players of all time, Lahm had a pretty slow start to his career. Although he was part of the Bayern Munich Academy in his youth, an early loan to VfB Stuttgart, a few injuries and stiff competition in his favoured right back position prevented him from flourishing.
The presence of Willy Sagnol at right back and Bixente Lizarazu at Left Back, who were already well-established players proved to be a hurdle for Lahm early on. However, in due time, he rose to be one of the greatest defenders on the planet.
Not only that, but his versatility might be unrivalled. Lahm is probably one of the only players that you could argue might be both the best right back and the best lest left back in German footballing history. Not to mention the fact that he successfully transitioned to the defensive midfielder position towards the end of his career.
He was never blessed with crazy pace or flashy skills, but it was his tactical awareness and all round game intelligence that allowed him to succeed at the highest level. With 8 Bundesliga titles, 1 Champions league title, 1 world cup title and several individual awards to his name, there was never any competition for the top spot on this list in the Bundesliga.
And before anyone else says it; yes, we’re all aware that Joshua Kimmich is basically a Philip Lahm regen.
Top 5 Ligue 1 right backs in the 21st century
5. Bacary Sagna
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite Starting his career at Auxerre, Sagna is best known for his time playing for Arsenal in England. It was there that that he developed into one of the best fullbacks in the world at one point.
Even though he transferred away from Ligue 1 at the age of 21, he left quite the impression on the league during his short stay. His pace and power earned him several accolades while playing for Arsenal.
However, it’s important to note that these are all aspect he was displaying even before he made his big move to England. How else do you think he got Arsène Wenger’s attention in the first place?
While in France, Sagna won the Coupe de France in 2005, and was selected as part of the Ligue 1 team of the year in 2007.
4. Christophe Jallet
Embed from Getty ImagesHailed as a focussed, dynamic and professional player by Carlo Ancelotti, Jallet was the real deal. The peak of his career came during his time playing for PSG and Lyon. At PSG, he won 2 Ligue 1 titles, and was picked in the Ligue 1 team of the year in 2013. At Lyon, he was chosen for the team of the year in 2015.
He was a balanced defender, great in both attack and defence, although his offensive ability is what many will remember about him. He was even briefly used as an impact sub early in his PSG career, due to his ability to come off the bench and score goals. Quite a feat as a right back.
3. Serge Aurier
Embed from Getty ImagesSerge Aurier was and still is a bit of an enigma. It’s difficult to determine what version of him you’re going to get in any given game. Although he now plies his trade for Tottenham hotspurs in England, many forget that he had several flashes of brilliance when he used to play in Ligue 1. During his time in France he picked up 2 Ligue 1 titles and was part of the team of the year twice.
Aurier is mostly known for his time playing for PSG, but even before playing in Paris he was putting up stellar performances with Lens and then Toulouse. It was with the latter that he picked up one of his team of the year awards in 2014, with the other coming from his performances with PSG in 2016.
Despite these achievements, Aurier has been known to be slightly hot headed and has served several suspensions during his career. Nonetheless, on his day he was one of the best attacking fullbacks to have played in Ligue 1 in recent memory.
2. Rod Fanni
Embed from Getty ImagesA forgotten man in French football. Rod Fanni was and still is an immense physical presence. In the late 2000s, Fanni plied his trade at Rennes and was an absolute revelation for the club. Despite not picking up any silverware at Rennes, he was chosen in the Ligue 1 team of the season twice in 2009 and 2010.
He has also proven himself to be quite versatile. Although starting his career in the right back position, he successfully transitioned to centre back towards the end of his playing career. Known for his strength and pace, despite his 6’1” frame, Fanni was defensive warrior on his day.
1. Anthony Réveillère
Embed from Getty ImagesA legend of the French game. In the early 2000s, Lyon was a different kind of beast in Ligue 1. Their dominance in the French game saw them win seven back to back league titles. Réveillère was the starting right back for 5 of those title triumphs.
Réveillère was a solid defender that was renowned for both his offensive and defensive work. He was able to be effective on both ends of the pitch due to his work rate and pace.
Top 5 Serie A right backs in the 21st century
Honourable mention: Stephan Lichsteiner
Embed from Getty ImagesNicknamed The “Swiss Express”, due to his tireless work rate and running, Stephan Lichsteiner was a lot to handle at his peak. While playing for Juventus, he went on to win no less than seven Serie A titles among several additional accolades.
He was not particularly skilful or agile, but he possessed great positional awareness, speed and aggression. All of these traits, in combination with his relentless tenacity, made him a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately for him, Serie A has been packed with immense defenders over the last two decades or so. Sadly, this means that he was unable to crack the top 5 on this list.
5. Christian Maggio
Embed from Getty ImagesIn my opinion, Christian Maggio was the best right back to play in Italy and Serie A since 2010. His dynamic offensive, playstyle and no-nonsense approach to defence were a breath of fresh air during his time playing for Napoli.
Adept at playing right back, right wing back and right winger, Maggio was a joy to watch. While playing for Napoli, he was chosen in the Serie A team of the year twice and won the Coppa Italia twice.
4. Maicon
Embed from Getty ImagesNicknamed Il Colosso (The Colossus) during his time with Inter Milan, Maicon was a strong, fast, hardworking fullback who was sublime in his prime. (hehe, that rhymed).
He produced several scintillating moments in his career, but perhaps what he will be remembered for most was his ability to strike the ball as clean as you like. Seriously, his ball striking ability was unreal. Don’t believe me, take a look for yourself.
During Maicon’s playing career, he won 4 Serie A titles and 1 champions league title.
3. Lillian Thuram
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the standouts of the French national team that dominated world football in the late nineties. Lillian Thuram was a physical and graceful as they come. He was known as both a strong ball carrier and hard tackler with electric pace and power. Essentially, Thuram a was big problem for opposition attackers and defenders alike.
The pinnacle of his career was probably winning the 1998 World Cup as well as the 2000 UEFA European Championship. In addition, that, he picked up several other club and individual accolades, such as French World Player of the year in 1997.
To put that last achievement into perspective, it’s worth noting that this was a time when players such as Zinedine Zidane, Sylvain Wiltord and Didier Deschamps were in their prime. He was the real deal. Also, he is the most capped player in the French national team’s history, so there’s that too.
2. Gianluca Zambrotta
Embed from Getty ImagesHere we have a member of the Italian defender golden generation that graced world football between roughly 1990 and 2010. Zambrotta is deservedly mentioned in the same conversation as players such as Paolo Maldini, Marco Materazzi and Fabio Cannavaro.
By the end of his career, Zambrotta had been used almost equally as a right back and a wide midfielder. However, most will remember him as the right sided player of the iconic Italian defence that won the World Cup in 2006. In addition to that, he picked up 3 Serie A titles (2 with Juventus and 1 with AC Milan) and several other awards.
While he possessed many great attributes, such as pace, tactical awareness and athleticism, perhaps his most famous characteristic was his ability to use both feet with ease.
1. Cafu
Embed from Getty ImagesRealistically, no one can be surprised that this man is at the top of the list. If you asked anyone who they think is the best right back to ever play- both purists and casual fans- Cafu will likely pop up far more than any other player. He was simply phenomenal.
You’ve probably heard people talk about “the old Brazil” and how dominant they used to be in comparison to recent times. Between 1994 and 2002, Brazil won the both the World Cup and Copa America twice, as well as the FIFA confederations cup. One of the only constants in the national team set up throughout all of those triumphs was Cafu.
He is the only player to appear in three world cup finals in a row and is also the most capped player in Brazilian football history.
And I haven’t even mentioned the Champions League and 2 Serie A titles that he won while playing for AC Milan and Roma.
Cafu had all the right qualities of a defensive minded fullback as well as an offensive minded fullback. He is fondly remembered for his high stamina; defensive solidity and his marauding overlapping runs while his team was on the offence.
A truly special player.
Top 5 La Liga right backs in the 21st century
5. Juanfran
Embed from Getty ImagesAn integral cog in the Atletico Madrid machine in the early 2010s.
Atletico Madrid dared to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid’s reign in La Liga and managed to win the league in 2013. Their starting right back during this incredible season and for much of the 2010s was Jaunfran.
Although he played as a right back for most of his career, Juanfran started his career as a winger. After transitioning to a more defensive role, he still kept much of his attacking ability. This is evidenced by the fact that overlapping runs and pinpoint crosses were one of his trademarks.
4. Míchel Salgado
Embed from Getty ImagesAdept in both attack and defence, Michel Salgado was given the nickname Il Due (“two”) by fans. A signature aspect of his gameplay was his relentless aggression and strength when going into the tackle.
Many headlines were made over the Real Madrid Galacticos during the late 90s and early 2000s, with the majority of them were made over the attacking players. And I’m not going to lie; headlines with Zidane, Ronaldo or Beckham will sell more papers than just about anything, even today. However, Salgado often did not get the praise that he deserved. Such is the life of a defender, I guess.
In his Real Madrid career, Salgado won 4 La Liga titles and 2 champions league titles.
3. Dani Carvajal
Embed from Getty ImagesThe premier Spanish right back for some time now.
Carvajal was initially a part of the Real Madrid academy in his youth days but was deemed surplus to requirement and was sold to Bayer Leverkusen early in his career.
He very quickly made Madrid regret that decision by putting in some stellar performances in Germany. So much so that they activated his buy back clause just one year after his departure, and the rest is history.
While playing for Madrid, he has won 4 Champions League trophies and 2 La Liga titles.
He is well known for his work rate, defensive timing when going into tackles and his overlapping runs in attack.
2. Sergio Ramos
Embed from Getty ImagesArguably the best Spanish defender or all time. Nowadays Ramos primarily plays centre back and has had incredible success in that position. However, many may forget that he started off his career as a right back.
In the late 2000s, Michel Salgado was reaching the end of his playing career and Real Madrid were in need of an adequate replacement that could fill the giant gap left behind. In steps a young Sergio Ramos.
Out of all of the Galacticos purchased in the late 2000s, Ramos is probably the most adored by fans of Real Madrid.
The list of trophies that Ramos has won is far too long to list in this article. However, amongst the flurry of trophies and accolades he’s won, 4 Champions League titles, 5 La Liga titles and a World Cup are the stand outs.
Well known for his speed, aggression and his ball control, Ramos also has a knack for scoring goals when his team need them the most. He is currently 19th on the Real Madrid all-time top goal scorers list and you can expect him to climb that list, should he continue playing. Just a reminder that he’s played as a defender his whole career.
1. Dani Alves
Embed from Getty ImagesThe most decorated footballer of all time. Not much needs to be said about Dani Alves.
While in Spain, Alves played for Sevilla and Barcelona, but is most recognised for his time at the latter club. For good reason too.
Between 2008 and 2015, Barcelona had the most successful period in their history. During that time period they won 23 trophies, and Dani Alves was the first choice right back for every one of those triumphs.
He brought flair, speed and consistency to a position that Barcelona have had trouble with in the past. Likewise, ever since he left the club in 2016, they are yet to replace him.
Still not so sure how Brazil has produced so many world class fullbacks over the years. Is there something in the water there?
Top 5 English Premier League right backs in the 21st century
Honourable mention: Trent Alexander Arnold
Embed from Getty Images“Corner Taken quickly- ORIGI”- Steve Hunter.
Realistically, no matter what Trent Alexander Arnold does with the rest of his career, he will always be remembered as legend for that corner kick.
When you take a close look into the Liverpool team the Jurgen Klopp has built since his arrival in 2015, it’s not hard to see why they have been as successful as they are. Almost every player in the Liverpool dressing room is in their prime. That sweet spot between the ages of 25 and 31 where your football knowledge and physical condition are at their best.
However, Alexander-Arnold seems to be the acceptation. At only 22 years old, he’s in contention as the best right back in the world at the moment. In his short career, he’s won the English Premier League (Liverpool’s only Premier League title) and the Champions league, amongst several other individual accolades.
If he keeps going on his current trajectory, he will surely climb up this list over time.
5. Pablo Zabaleta
Embed from Getty ImagesA Manchester City hero. Pablo Zabaletta was one of the main components in Manchester City’s 2008 rebuild. Although he was not the most athletic of players, his positional and tactical awareness were invaluable to City.
He is best known for his defensive output and specifically his ability to win one on one situations with attackers.
4. Branoslav Ivanovic
Embed from Getty ImagesThe bane of many attacking players. Praised by many of his former teammates as the ultimate hard-working professional. Ivanovic was a rock in defence while playing for Chelsea.
During his time in London, he won 3 Premier League titles and a Champions League title.
He is best remembered as being a tall, disciplined and physical player. In addition to that, he was a strong jumper and was extremely good in the air. The combination of all those traits led to him being a force to be reckoned with in both attack and defence.
During his 8-year stint in London, he contributed to 60 goals (31 goals and 29 assists), which is obviously exceptional for a defender.
3. Lauren
Embed from Getty ImagesLauren is best known for his time at Arsenal. A solid fullback who plied his trade in London for seven years.
His first season with Arsenal was not ideal due to injury setbacks. However, following this, his performances grew from strength to strength. While playing for Arsenal, he picked up 2 premier league medals and 3 FA cups.
In addition, just as an FYI; one of those Premier League titles was during Arsenal’s invincible season.
A tireless runner with great pace and strength.
2. Gary Neville
Embed from Getty ImagesEven if Jaime Carragher doesn’t think anyone wants to grow up to be a Gary Neville, he has to admit that Neville was a highly talented fullback.
Not the flashiest of players, but an extremely consistent member of the Manchester United setup during the club’s most successful period.
During his career, he only ever played for Manchester United. Makes sense seeing as he won 8 premier league titles and 2 champions league titles over a successful 19-year career.
He was best known for his professionalism, tactical awareness, determination and work rate. Although he was not the strongest in attack, he was well adept to link up with wide attackers and cause all sorts of problems for the opposition.
1. Kyle Walker
Embed from Getty ImagesNow hear me out on this one. I know you may be thinking I’ve lost my mind picking Kyle Walker over some of the others. But, in my opinion, at his prime (roughly 2017/18), he was far and away the best right back I’ve seen in the PL era so far. Pace, power, overlapping runs, drilled crosses, thunderbolt long shots; Kyle Walker has it all.
In the mid-2010s, Tottenham hotspurs became a real heavy hitter in the premier league. All of a sudden, they were winning matches left, right and centre and became serious title contenders.
While many may attribute this to the emergence of attacking players such as Harry Kane and Gareth Bale, the defence deserves just as much praise in my opinion. And Kyle Walker was one of the standout defenders in that line-up.
Evidently, I’m not the only one who thought this. Soon after a few years of consistent performances at White Heart Lane, Walker moved over to Manchester City and the trophies and awards have not stopped piling up.
During his time at Manchester City, he has won 2 premier League titles and several individual awards.
Summary
In summary, the top 25 right backs in football in the 21st century are as follows:
Bundesliga
- Achraf Hakimi
- Willy Sagnol
- Łukasz Piszczek
- Joshua Kimmich
- Philip Lahm
Ligue 1
- Bacary Sagna
- Christophe Jallet
- Serge Aurier
- Rod Fanni
- Anthony Réveillère
Serie A
- Christian Maggio
- Maicon
- Lillian Thuram
- Gianluca Zambrotta
- Cafu
La Liga
- Juanfran
- Michel Salgado
- Dani Carvajal
- Sergio Ramos
- Dani Alves
English Premier League
- Branislav Ivanovic
- Pablo Zabaletta
- Lauren
- Gary Neville
- Kyle Walker
For a detailed description on the role of modern and traditional fullbacks, check out this article.
Finally, for more top 25 style articles on football positions, be sure to take a look at the following articles: