Ranking The 15 Greatest Right-Backs of All Time

June 15, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

Right-backs have long been essential to both the defensive and attacking balance of top teams. Whether through relentless running, tactical discipline, or technical brilliance, these 15 players defined what it means to dominate the right side of the pitch.

15. Maicon

The Brazilian powerhouse thrilled fans with his rampaging runs and attacking flair at Inter Milan. He was key in José Mourinho’s treble-winning side in 2009–10 and scored one of the most memorable World Cup goals in 2010.

14. Manfred Kaltz

A one-club legend at Hamburg, Kaltz was known for his deadly “banana crosses” and surprisingly high goal tally for a defender. He won Euro 1980 and was a World Cup runner-up with West Germany.

13. Mauro Tassotti

Spending 17 years at AC Milan, Tassotti was a cornerstone of their golden era. Though he had a limited international career, he helped modernize the full-back role with his forward-thinking style.

12. Berti Vogts

Vogts was a tough, reliable defender who won five Bundesliga titles with Borussia Mönchengladbach and the 1974 World Cup with West Germany. He rarely missed a match in over a decade of top-flight football.

11. Kyle Walker

A modern physical specimen, Walker has been a vital figure for Manchester City’s dominant run under Pep Guardiola. His pace, versatility, and tactical intelligence have kept him at the top for over a decade.

10. Gianluca Zambrotta

Originally a winger, Zambrotta evolved into a world-class full-back with stints at Juventus, Barcelona, and Milan. He was crucial in Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning campaign, combining attacking threat with defensive steel.

9. Giuseppe Bergomi

A one-club man at Inter Milan, Bergomi captained his side and played over 750 games. Revered for his leadership and consistency, he was a key figure in Italy’s 1982 World Cup triumph.

8. Djalma Santos

Djalma Santos was a model of professionalism who never received a red card in over 1,000 appearances. A two-time World Cup winner with Brazil, he was known for his calm defending and elite positional sense.

7. Gary Neville

A pillar of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United dynasty, Neville was a tactical and vocal leader at right-back. A one-club man, he helped the Red Devils win multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League.

6. Lilian Thuram

France’s all-time appearance leader, Thuram was physically dominant and rarely beaten one-on-one. He was integral in France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 victories, and starred at club level with Parma, Juventus, and Barcelona.

5. Javier Zanetti

An Inter Milan icon, Zanetti captained the club for years and played over 1,000 matches in his career. His incredible work rate and adaptability helped Inter to multiple titles, including the 2010 Champions League.

4. Carlos Alberto

Carlos Alberto Parreira — A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com

Captain of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team, Carlos Alberto was a visionary right-back. Famous for his thunderous goal in the final, he combined leadership with rare technical quality and passing range.

3. Philipp Lahm

Lahm was the definition of footballing intelligence, elegance, and versatility. The German star won the 2014 World Cup and numerous trophies with Bayern Munich, including a Champions League title in 2013.

2. Dani Alves

The most decorated player in football history, Alves brought flair and unmatched attacking energy to the right flank. He was central to Barcelona’s golden era and collected trophies in Brazil, Spain, France, and Italy.

1. Cafu

Widely regarded as the greatest right-back ever, Cafu won two World Cups and shone in Europe with Roma and AC Milan. Known for his speed, stamina, and technical brilliance, he set the standard for the position.