Football

The 30 Best Fullbacks of the 21st Century – Ranked

Fullbacks have evolved from mere defenders to some of the most influential players on the pitch. From lightning-fast wingers turned defenders to tactical maestros initiating attacks, here are the 30 best fullbacks to ever grace the game — starting from number 30 and working our way up to the all-time greats.

30. Reece James

Photo: Ettore Griffoni / Shutterstock.com

Though still in the early stages of his career, Reece James has shown incredible potential. His strength, crossing, and defensive intelligence already place him among the game’s elite.

29. Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic
mooinblack / Shutterstock.com

A no-nonsense fullback with tremendous physical strength, Ivanovic was a key figure in Chelsea’s golden years. His goals in big games made him a cult hero at Stamford Bridge.

28. Cesar Azpilicueta

César Azpilicueta
Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com

Versatile and composed, Azpilicueta has quietly been one of the most reliable fullbacks in modern football. His leadership and tactical flexibility have made him indispensable.

Read also: Top Scorers in European Leagues Since 2000

27. Alphonso Davies

Alphonso Davies
Photo: Stanislav Vedmid / Shutterstock.com

The Canadian sensation exploded onto the scene with Bayern Munich, blending blistering pace with fearless attacking runs. Davies has already redefined the modern left-back role.

26. Theo Hernandez

Theo Hernández
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

A powerful and aggressive fullback, Hernandez is known for his surging runs and goalscoring threat. He plays with intensity and flair, becoming a key part of France’s future.

25. Michel Salgado

Michel Salgado
Mikolaj Barbanell / Shutterstock.com

Salgado was a tenacious right-back for Real Madrid during their Galáctico era. His combative style and big-game attitude made him a fan favorite.

24. Willy Sagnol

Willy Sagnol
Photo: katatonia82 / Shutterstock.com

Solid and technically sound, Sagnol was a defensive stalwart for Bayern Munich and France. He offered reliability with just enough attacking thrust to balance the right side.

Read also: Ranking the 50 Best Strikers of the 21st Century - Ranked

23. Eric Abidal

Eric Abidal
Natursports / Shutterstock.com

Abidal's composure and intelligence made him vital to Barcelona’s tiki-taka system. He overcame adversity off the pitch and maintained his high standards throughout.

22. Christian Panucci

Panucci
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Panucci was one of the few to thrive in both Serie A and La Liga, showing class on either side. His adaptability and experience were hallmarks of his long, decorated career.

21. Gary Neville

Gary Neville
photoyh / Shutterstock.com

Neville wasn’t the flashiest, but he was relentlessly consistent. His partnership with David Beckham and understanding of the game helped define Manchester United’s right flank for years.

20. Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson
Cosmin Iftode / Shutterstock.com

Robertson's rise from lower league football to Champions League glory is a story of grit and drive. His engine, crossing, and defensive sharpness have made him elite.

Read also: The 18 Bundesliga’s Main Shirt Sponsors: How Much Each Club Earns

19. Joao Cancelo

Photo: Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

Cancelo brings elegance and creativity to the fullback role, often drifting inside to dictate play. His technical skill allows him to thrive across multiple tactical systems.

18. Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

With fierce determination and top-tier athleticism, Evra was a defensive rock and an attacking outlet. He was a consistent performer in both domestic and international football.

17. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi
Victor Velter / Shutterstock.com

Hakimi combines electric pace with tactical intelligence, excelling as a wing-back or fullback. Already proven across multiple top leagues, his influence continues to grow.

16. Dani Carvajal

Carvajel
Raffaele Conti 88 / Shutterstock.com

A fighter on the pitch, Carvajal has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s modern successes. His balance of attack and defense makes him one of the most complete right-backs of his era.

Read also: The 15 Most Intelligent Manchester United Players – Ranked by AI

15. Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker
Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com

Walker’s pace is unmatched, and his one-on-one defending is elite. He’s played a vital role in Manchester City’s tactical evolution and England’s resurgence.

14. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold
sbonsi / Shutterstock.com

Alexander-Arnold revolutionized right-back play with his vision and passing range. His creativity is often compared to elite midfielders, and he's still just getting started.

13. Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba
Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Blisteringly quick and technically excellent, Alba formed a legendary partnership with Lionel Messi. His timing and attacking instincts made him one of Barcelona’s most important players.

12. David Alaba

David Alaba
Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com

Alaba’s intelligence and versatility set him apart. Starting as a left-back before shifting into central defense and midfield, his consistency and leadership have stood the test of time.

Read also: The 18 Bundesliga Clubs Earning the Most TV Money - Ranked

11. Maicon

Maicon
By Steindy (talk) 23:39, 28 November 2009 (UTC) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8627774

During his prime, Maicon was a force of nature on the right flank. His power and attacking intent helped Inter Milan to a historic treble in 2010.

10. Gianluca Zambrotta

Gianluca Zambrotta
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Zambrotta offered tactical flexibility and calm under pressure. He was crucial to Italy’s 2006 World Cup win, capable on both sides with equal quality.

9. Bixente Lizarazu

Bixente,Lizarazu,
Victor Velter / Shutterstock.com

Lizarazu was a compact, tenacious left-back who combined defensive discipline with attacking energy. He helped France dominate world football from 1998 to 2000.

8. Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich
Photo: Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

Kimmich began as a right-back before transitioning into one of the world’s best midfielders. His intelligence, tactical discipline, and flawless technique made his early years at RB Bayern world-class.

7. Javier Zanetti

Javier Zanetti
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Zanetti's professionalism and longevity were unmatched. A true servant to Inter Milan, he could play anywhere on the flank with class and discipline.

6. Marcelo

Marcelo
A.RICARDO / Shutterstock.com

Few fullbacks have had Marcelo’s creativity and flair. A key piece in Real Madrid’s multiple Champions League triumphs, he was more artist than defender at times.

5. Ashley Cole

Cole’s defensive mastery made him almost unbeatable in his prime. His performances against the world’s best wingers remain some of the most impressive in football history.

4. Dani Alves

Dani Alves
Oleh Dubyna / Shutterstock.com

A serial winner and technical wizard, Alves brought flair and creativity to the right-back role. His influence at Barcelona and Brazil is still felt today.

3. Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Lahm was a master of positioning and game intelligence. Whether at left-back, right-back or midfield, he played with elegance and near-perfect decision-making.

2. Cafu

Cafu
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

The epitome of stamina and leadership, Cafu remains Brazil’s most iconic right-back. He set the standard for overlapping runs and captained his country to World Cup glory.

1. Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

An absolute icon, Roberto Carlos redefined the role of an attacking left-back. His thunderous free-kicks, pace, and attacking runs made him a footballing phenomenon.