15 Greatest Right-Backs in Football History [Ranked]

The role of the right-back has seen a dramatic evolution over the years, going from a defensive-minded companion to the right centre-half to becoming an essential creative output in a modern-day team.

Regardless of the era or the expectations individual right-backs have had on them, they have always been an important part of any XI. Across the lifespan of the beautiful game, many right-backs have stood out including Cafu and Gianluca Zambraotta, making the position their own and putting their iconic stamps on it.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has arguably been the biggest example of that in recent times, delivering an incredible amount of assists and goals from right-back, ranging from pin-point free-kicks to special curling crosses to striking them from 25 yards too. Having completed his move to Real Madrid, all eyes will be on how he fares with his new club at the Santiago Bernabeu after leaving his boyhood club Liverpool.

With that all in mind, here are the top 15 greatest right-backs in football history.

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15

Maicon

Notable clubs: Cruzeiro, Monaco, Inter, Manchester City, AS Roma

Signing 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.

14

Manfred Kaltz

Notable 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.

13

Mauro Tassotti

Notable 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.

12

Berti Vogts

Notable 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.

11

Kyle Walker

Notable 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,

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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. Walker has constantly proved the doubters wrong and become one of the most tactically aware right-backs of his generation.

10

Gianluca Zambrotta

Notable 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.

9

Giuseppe Bergomi

Notable 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.

8

Djalma Santos

Notable 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.

7

Gary Neville

Notable 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.

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6

Lilian Thuram

Notable 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.

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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.