Blog

In this post, we will check out the top 10 best right backs in the world in 2023.

The right-back position in football has become increasingly crucial in modern-day football as teams look for players who can provide a solid defensive base while also contributing offensively.

Right-backs are expected to possess excellent ball control, pace, and the ability to deliver accurate crosses to create scoring opportunities for their team.

In 2023, the football world is blessed with an abundance of talented right backs who are making their mark on the game. From seasoned veterans to young rising stars, the competition for the title of the best right back in the world is fierce.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 best right backs in the world in 2023, based on their performances over the past year.

These players have not only excelled defensively but have also made significant contributions in attack, cementing their place as some of the most complete players in the game today.

Top 10 Best Right Backs In The World 2023

10. Benjamin Pavard

Benjamin Pavard is a French professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich as a defender. He is also a French international, having represented his nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Pavard is a versatile defender who can play as a center-back, left-back, or right-back. He has been playing almost permanently at the right-back position since joining Bayern Munich from Stuttgart in 2019.

In 2020, he completed a historic sextuple by winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, DFL-Supercup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

Pavard is Bayern’s most trustworthy man at the back. Benjamin Pavard is number 10 in our list of the top 10 best right backs in the world.

9. Ricardo Pereira

Ricardo Pereira is a 25-year-old, Portuguese right-back who plays for Leicester City. He is part of the squad that won the 2017–18 Primeira Liga.

An international since 2015, Pereira represented Portugal at the 2018 World Cup. He joined the Foxes in  2018 and has impressed ever since.

He develops a very good pace and is convenient in making the forward runs which makes him one of the top-rated right-backs in the world for 2023.

8. Dani Carvajal

Dani Carvajal is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Spain national team.

He started his career with Real Madrid when he got the chance into the first team in 2013, and has later gone on to win 16 major trophies at Real Madrid which includes five Champions League trophies, three La Liga titles, and a Copa del Rey.

He made his senior debut in 2014, symbolizing the nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Dani is known for his continuous pressing and power while defending.

Carvajal is capable of binding attacks and is a persistent threat to the opposition. Dani Carvajal is number 8 in our list of the top 10 best right backs in the world.

7. Juan Cuadrado

Juan Cuadrado is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for the Italian club Juventus and the Colombia national team.

He gained notability in Italy where he was known as ‘The Magician’, due to his spectacular dribbling skills on the flank and wide range of passing.

In addition, he also has an eye for goal which makes him dangerous on set pieces in open play or from dead-ball situations.

He started off in a central midfield role, serving as a defensive midfielder early in his career, and also being used as a forward on occasion.

He was part of the Colombian squads which took part in five editions of the Copa América 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021, reaching the quarter-finals on three occasions.

6. Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker is a right-back for Manchester City and the England national football team. His performances made his move to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, before being instantly loaned back to Sheffield United. 

After five more seasons at Tottenham, Walker joined Manchester City for a fee of £45 million.

He has since won a total of four Premier League titles, four EFL Cup trophies, and one FA Cup whilst at City.

He has been named to the PFA Team of the Year three times in 2011–12, 2016–17, and 2017–18.

Kyle Walker is fast, powerful, disciplined, and has loads of stamina. Walker is number 6 in our list of the best 10 right backs globally.

5. Aaron Wan Bissaka

Aaron Wan Bissaka is a right-back who plays for Manchester United. He is a Moroccan international. He is known for his pace and his ability to cross the ball.

Wan-Bissaka started his career with Crystal Palace and was designated as the club’s Player of the Year for the 2018–19 season. 

In 2019, he transferred to Manchester United for an initial fee of £45 million, with another £5 million due in possible bonuses.

His tackles are sterile and precise, and his pace makes it hard for most wingers to get past him. Aaron Wan Bissaka is number 5 on our list of the top 10 best right backs in the world.

4. Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Newcastle United and the England national team.

He was anointed in the Championship PFA Team of the Year for two successive seasons in 2012–13 and 2013–14.

Trippier joined Spanish side Atlético Madrid, where he helped the team win the 2020–21 La Liga title.

He is a pin-point crosser and a deal-ball specialist and ranked number 4 in our list of the top-rated right-backs across the globe.

3. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi is a Spanish-Moroccan professional footballer who plays for French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Morocco national team.

He is best known for his speed runs and goal-scoring ability and is regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football.

Hakimi signed with Serie A side Inter Milan for a reported fee of €40 million, with his interpretations helping the club win the league title.

He is an adaptable player and has played at multiple positions like left-back, right-back, and even in the midfield.

2. Trent Alexander Arnold

Trent Alexander Arnold is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for the Premier League club Liverpool and the English national team.

He has been deployed as a right wing-back or wing-back by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Trent is best known for his range of passing, crossing, and assists, and he is considered as one of the best right-backs in world football.

Trent made his senior debut in 2016, at age 18, and played in back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter.

He is known for his exciting pace and precise crosses and passes. Trent Alexander Arnold is number 2 in our list of the top 10 best right backs in the world.

1. Joao Cancelo

Joao Cancelo is a Portuguese right-back who currently plays for Premier League club Manchester City and the Portugal national team.

He is regarded to be one of the best full-backs in the world. Cancelo’s performances sparked the interest of Italian rivals Juventus, who signed him in 2018 for a reported fee of €40.4 million.

In 2019, he was signed by English club Manchester City, for a reported fee of €60 million (£55 million) which involves a swap deal including Danilo to Juventus.

He is best known for his close control, passing range, and tactical awareness. The Portuguese international is currently the best right-back in the world because of the excellent balance of his attacking and defensive capabilities.

Conclusion

There you have it: our list of the best right-backs in football. We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this article, and we would love to hear your thoughts on what we did right or wrong!

Be sure to let us know in the comments below if there’s anything else you’d like us to consider when creating these lists.