The position of right-back has undergone significant transformation over the years, evolving from a primarily defensive role alongside the right centre-half to a vital source of creativity within contemporary teams.
Players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool have achieved unprecedented assist records, starkly contrasting with the more combative right-backs of previous generations, highlighting the evolution in playing styles.
15
MaiconNotable clubs: Cruzeiro, Monaco, Inter, Manchester City, AS Roma
MaiconSigning from French outfit Monaco in 2006, Maicon joined Inter for a reported fee of €6.8 million.
During his time at the San Siro, Maicon won four Serie A titles, three Italian Cups, a FIFA Club World Cup, three Italian Super Cups.
The most noticeable piece of silverware he won in Milan was the Champions League win in 2009-10, which he won under Jose Mourinho.
During his years at Inter, Maicon was an entertainer with his darting runs taking spectators’ breaths away.
His samba flair earned him a place in the Brazilian national team, where he earned 76 caps. Maicon carried his entertaining style into his international appearances, scoring one of the most iconic World Cup goals ever.
The goal came against Korea DPR, where Maicon, in line with the goal from wide, unleashed a powerful strike through a seemingly impossible angle.
Maicon retired in 2021 after spells at Manchester City and AS Roma.MaiconMajor Honours17Appearances480Goals34Assists63
14
Manfred KaltzNotable clubs: Hamburger SV
Aside from very brief spells with Girondins Bordeaux and Mulhouse, Manfred Kaltz spent his entire career playing for Hamburger SV and he became one of the best right-backs of all-time during that time.
The German shone with the club and played over 750 games throughout his career.It wasn’t just at club level where Kaltz thrived, however.
The Hamburger icon regularly delivered in international football too and won one European Championship with Germany as well as reaching another final in the competition, as well as finishing as runners-up in the 1982 World Cup.
Kaltz was a goalscoring machine too, finding the back of the net over 100 times during his career. Not bad for a defender.Manfred KaltzMajor Honours9Appearances761Goals102Assists31
13
Mauro TassottiNotable clubs: Lazio, AC Milan
After initially breaking through with Lazio, Mauro Tassotti joined AC Milan in 1980 and went on to spend 17 years playing for the iconic Italian club.
He became a legend at the San Siro during his tenure with the club, playing close to 600 games with them.
He lifted 19 pieces of silverware throughout his career and left a pretty remarkable mark on football.
His international career never really reached the same heights as his exploits with Milan.
Tassotti represented Italy just seven times, but he was one of the first full-backs to offer an offensive threat for his side, ushering in a new era for the position.Mauro TassottiMajor Honours19Appearances627Goals10Assists33
12
Berti VogtsNotable clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach
Having spent his entire career at Borussia Monchengladbach, Berti Vogts is the definition of a one club man and he did a fine job representing the club over the course of 14 years.
He was influential during one of the most dominant periods in the side’s history, winning five Bundesliga titles across a seven-year span.
In total, Vogts spent 14 years in the Bundesliga and was named in the league’s team of the year on nine separate occasions.
If that’s not a testament to just how good he was during his career, we’re not sure what is. Ever reliable, the full-back played over 27 games in all but two of his professional seasons and was a legend for both club and country.
Berti VogtsMajor Honours10Appearances538Goals45Assists10
11
Kyle WalkerNotable clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, AC Milan
The definition of the modern-day full-back, Kyle Walker has spent more than 15 years in the English top flight, performing at an elite level.
From his days as a youngster at Sheffield United to becoming a title-winning captain at Manchester City, Kyle Walker has been riding the wave of the right-back movement. Walker won 17 major honours after joining City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017,
During his stint at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola allowed Walker to take up several roles and positions many wouldn’t have dared to play him in.
Now on loan at AC Milan, Walker has constantly proved the doubters wrong and become one of the most tactically aware right-backs of his generation.Kyle WalkerMajor Honours18Appearances635Goals12Assists52
10
Gianluca ZambrottaNotable clubs: Juventus, FC Barcelona, AC Milan
Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta was a pioneer in the evolution of the modern-day right back.
In his early days as a player, Zambrotta was a talented winger, so much so that his abilities earned him a move to Italian giants Juventus from Bari in 1999.
Over the next six seasons at the Old Lady, Zambrotta slowly but surely moved backwards, from right wing to right back, a trend that has become common in football.After a successful period at Juventus, Zambrotta joined FC Barcelona, a move that gives an insight into just how good of a player he was.
Due to his days spent on the wing, Zambrotta maintained his strong attacking instincts, bursting forward at every opportunity.
Additionally, the player was solid defensively, reading his opponents incredibly well.
Zambrotta moved to AC Milan after a successful spell at the Nou Camp before retiring in 2013.Gianluca ZambrottaMajor Honours8Appearances610Goals29Assists50
9
Giuseppe BergomiNotable clubs: Inter Milan
There’s just something about those Milan clubs that attracted legendary full-backs and here is another one.
Giuseppe Bergomi spent his entire career with Inter Milan and played over 750 games for the Serie A team.
Operating as his team’s captain, the Italian was a force to be reckoned with down the right-hand side of defence and is rightfully considered one of the greatest defenders in Italy’s history.
Bergomi was selected by Pele to be included in the FIFA 100 back in 2004 and if one of the best footballers of all-time rates you that highly, who are the rest of us to argue.
Giuseppe BergomiMajor Honours7Appearances754Goals27Assists2
8
Djalma SantosNotable clubs: Portuguesa, Palmeiras
He might not have ever played for a team outside of his home nation of Brazil, but Djalma Santos more than made an impression on football and is fondly remembered as one of the best full-backs in football history.
He was incredible for both Portuguesa and Palmeiras, while also shining for his national team.
Santos was a part of two World Cup winning teams with Brazil and boasts a trophy cabinet that would leave many top level professionals green with envy.
Known for his utmost professionalism, Santos was never sent off during his career and considering he’s one of a small number of players to play over 1000 games, that’s quite the achievement.
Djalma SantosMajor Honours24Appearances964Goals23Assists0
7
Gary NevilleNotable clubs: Manchester United
Gary Neville is a local lad, a one-club player, and a leader.
From graduating through Carrington as part of the Class of ’92 to playing for the first team at Manchester United, Neville never looked back.
Once he made his debut for the club he adored, he fought for decades to keep his place in what was one of the greatest sides ever.
Neville played his role perfectly and became an expert at the right-back position.
With a United career spanning just under two decades, Neville survived squad overhauls and superstar signings.
Due to his accomplishments and huge role in United’s success over the seasons, Neville is highly regarded as one of the greatest right-backs England has ever produced.Gary NevilleMajor Honours29Appearances602Goals7Assists49
6
Lilian ThuramNotable clubs: Monaco, Parma, Juventus, FC Barcelona
Lilian Thuram made his name at Parma, where he performed incredibly well in Serie A. His impressive defensive displays in France’s World Cup win in 1998 and in Serie A over the next few seasons caught the eye of Juventus.
If his World Cup medal wasn’t enough to get Juventus’ attention, then his French Player of the Year award in 1997 did.
Once a €36 million deal was agreed upon, Thuram moved to Turin.
While at the Old Lady, Thuram won two Scudettos, a UEFA Cup, an Italian Cup and an Italian Super Cup, adding to the one at Parma.EPL_best defenders to eurosRelated10 Best Defenders Going to Euro 2024 [Ranked]In 2000, Thuram won yet another international trophy, the European Championships.
Six years later, Thuram moved to another European giant, FC Barcelona.
While in Catalonia, the Frenchman won a Spanish Super Cup and after two seasons, he retired.
Thuram was known for his bullish style of play, winning back the ball and doing everything in his power to not give it away.
His powerful play and calm head made him a formidable opponent to face, rarely getting beaten one-on-one.
Thuram was old-school but incredible at his defensive duties, making him one of the greatest players in the position.Lilian ThuramMajor Honours12Appearances685Goals13Assists18
5
Javier ZanettiNotable clubs: Inter
Born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents, Javier Zanetti was destined for stardom with two incredible footballing nations in his DNA.
After rejecting interest from Argentinian giants Boca Juniors and River Plate, Zanetti decided to join Inter and go to his parents’ country. Once Zanetti touched down on Italian soil, the rest became history.
In his 19 years at the club, the Argentinian became arguably one of the most iconic captains of all time.
Zanetti lifted five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, a UEFA Cup, a Champions League and a Club World Cup.
Lionel Messi on either side Diego Maradona and Javier Zanetti all in Argentina kitRelated15 Greatest Argentine Players in Football History [Ranked]2Not only was Zanetti an excellent right-back, but he could also play on the left as well as the centre of midfield.
With his confidence in attack and incredible ball ability, Zanetti, for spells in his career, was used in the midfield, as seen in the Champions League final victory.
Zanetti may not have won a World Cup with Argentina but, made an everlasting legacy at Inter as one of the greatest the club had ever seen.Javier ZanettiMajor Honours17Appearances1,001Goals26Assists42
4
Carlos AlbertoNotable clubs: Fluminense, Santos, Flamengo, New York Cosmos
Brazilian icon Carlos Alberto is highly regarded as one of the country’s very best to wear the yellow and blue jersey.
Though he spent a highly successful 15 years in the Brazilian top flight for Fluminese, Botafogo, Flamengo, and mostly Santos, he was better known for his time with the Brazilian national team.
In 1970, Carlos Alberto captained his country to win their third World Cup.RelatedBrazil 1970 World Cup Final: Carlos Alberto’s iconic goal in 4K qualityAlberto collected four Brazilian league titles alongside the prestigious World Cup trophy.
In his later years, Alberto played for MLS side New York Cosmos, where he was a league champion on four occasions.
Alberto retired from the game in 1983 before managing across South America.
Alberto was known for leadership, but he also had an excellent eye for a pass; be it short or from range, he was a creator from deep, which was far from ordinary at the time.Carlos AlbertoMajor Honours9Appearances797Goals72
3
Philipp LahmNotable clubs: Vfb Stuttgart, Bayern Munich
German maestro Philipp Lahm played 332 times for Bayern Munich and 113 times for his country between 2002 and 2017.
During his lengthy career, Lahm won 23 titles, with the World Cup victory in 2014 a crowning gloriy with his country.
From his debut to his final match, the German oozed class.He played football at his own tempo, and with such a calm head on his shoulders, nothing seemed to fluster him.
Alongside his calmness on the ball, he read the game with ease, plucking the ball away from rampant attackers.
The German legend was also a tough tackler, and his all-around play gave Guardiola the idea to move him into the midfield for Bayern, a positional move that came with great success for Lahm and his team.
Philipp LahmMajor Honours26Appearances773Goals28Assists94
2
Dani AlvesNotable clubs: Sevilla FC, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain
FC Barcelona and Brazi’s Dani Alves is largely known for being one of the most highly decorated players of all time.
From silverware in his native Brazil, to league and cup titles in Spain, France and Italy.
He also won two Copa America crowns for Brazil in 2007 and 2019 respectively.
Ryan Giggs with the Champions League trophy, Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophy and Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League trophyRelated15 Most Decorated Players in Football History Ranked by Trophies WonDani AlvesMajor Honours41Appearances995Goals69Assists199
1
CafuNotable clubs: AS Roma, AC Milan
Cafu began his career in Brazil, playing for Sao Paulo for six seasons before moving to Europe.
He played for half a season at the Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza before returning to his homeland.
It was clear that Cafu was too good not to test himself again in Europe, so when Italian giants Roma came knocking, he could not say no.
After a successful spell in the Italian capital, where he won one Serie A title and a Coppa Italia, Cafu moved to AC Milan, where he embarked on the most successful era of his domestic career.
While at the San Siro, Cafu picked up even more accolades, including the Champions League in 2007.
Internationally, Cafu has won two World Cups and is the most capped player for the Brazil, with 143 appearances. His superb passing range, free-flowing dribbling, blistering pace, and valiant defending made him a flawless right-back.
Cafu is a true icon of the game and is largely recognised as the greatest right-back ever due to his ability and remarkable achievements.
CafuMajor Honours21Appearances573Goals21Assists65