Sport
The best right-backs in the world ranked
Having already looked at the seven best left-backs in world football at the moment, we thought it was time to turn our attention to the other flank. Once an unfashionable position, full-backs are all the range these days. Jamie Carragher once said: “No one wants to grow up to be a Gary Neville” and we got what he meant. Neville, although a fantastic player, was a symbol of an uninspiring position. However, things have changed and the best right-backs in the world are among the most coveted players by managers. Here we take a look at the 7 best right-backs currently active.
7. Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid
Winner of four Champions League trophies, Dani Carvajal is, by far, the most successful right-back on this list. The Spain international rose through the Real Madrid youth ranks and is considered one of the most complete right-backs currently playing.
In 2012 Real Madrid sold Carvajal to Bayer Leverkusen after the Spaniard failing to make a single appearance for Real’s first team. He returned to the Spanish capital a year later as Real Madrid exercised his buy-back option and what a masterstroke that proved. The 28-year-old is now a leader of the club and has enjoyed one of his best seasons so far.
6. Ricardo Pereira – Leicester
Signed from Porto for a reported £20m during the summer of 2018, Ricardo Pereira wasn’t particularly well known to the casual football fan and the jury was out for Leicester supporters. Two years later, the 26-year-old has proven that feee Leicester paid was a bargain. No player has made more Premier League tackles than Pereira this season and the Portugal international is considered one of the toughest right-backs to play against.
5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Manchester United
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been virtually flawless defensively this season and is seldom beaten when confronted in a one-on-one situation. Although the prospective England international has been impeccable defensively, he still has plenty of room to improve when it comes to his attacking game. The former-Crystal Palace player emerged from the Eagles’ academy and is only 22-years-old, he could well be Manchester United’s first choice right-back for the next decade. Defensively he is one of the best right-backs in the world, if not the best.
4. Kyle Walker – Manchester City
Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier previously claimed that his England teammate Kyle Walker is the best right-back in the world. Trippier, who competes with Walker for England’s right-back position, said: “He’s got everything for a full-back, and he’s only getting better playing at Man City.” Although he is slowly moving down this list as he enters his 30s, Walker remains one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants and the 30-year old doesn’t have any particular weaknesses.
3. Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
Originally a defensive midfielder, Joshua Kimmich has taken to his new position like a duck to water and is now considered one of the best right-backs in the world. The Germany international is an exceptional talent and has made the right-back position his own, as his attacking ability sets him apart from many others in his position. Though the 25-year old is often still deployed as a midfielder, the right-back position is where his future lies.
2. Achraf Hakimi – Borussia Dortmund
According to his agent, Achraf Hakimi is one of the two best right-backs in the world alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold. On loan from Real Madrid, Hakimi has impressed during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, scoring 5 goals and providing 10 assists in the Bundesliga. Will the Morocco international be given a chance by Zinedine Zidane next season or will he go on loan again?
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold is only 21-years-old but is already one of Europe’s most consistent performers. “I once said how people don’t grow up wanting to be Gary Neville but I think a lad from Liverpool will change that,” said Jamie Carragher, who has absolute faith in his former club’s right-back. Though the England international can still improve in the coming years, he is already regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world and certainly the best in attack. The Liverpool right-back has already won the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup in his short career.
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