The right-back is one of the most critical positions in a soccer team. This player lines up on the right-hand side in defense, as seen from the goalkeeper’s perspective. The right-back is often responsible for tracking the runs of the opposition wingers, preventing them from cutting back and creating chances. Traditionally, this position also wears the number ‘2’. They’re also expected to ward off danger by cutting out crosses from those same wingers.
In modern soccer, the right-back’s duties include running up the flanks when his team has possession of the ball. This sends crosses and creates chances for his more attack-minded teammates. Put simply, it is one of the most crucial positions in the game, where only the fittest survive.
In this article, we take a look at the top ten greatest right-backs in history:
10. Wim Suurbier (Netherlands)
The late Wim Suurbier was a fine right-back who completely bought into the total soccer philosophy emphasised by the late Johan Cruyff. He won seven Eredivisie titles with Ajax and three European Cup titles. His man-marking skills often set him apart from his competitors and made him a force to reckon with on the right flank.
9. Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only contemporary player to find his name on this list. The 26-year-old is known for being a dangerous threat offensively and for marking his opponents tightly in defense. Alexander-Arnold has already won the Premier and UEFA Champions Leagues and looks to be a legendary figure. However, his current contract comes to an end in the summer of 2025, and it remains to be seen what his future holds.
8. Phil Neal (England)
Phil Neal, who won the most accolades with Liverpool, was another trustworthy and reliable right-back to come out of England. The 73-year-old is renowned for being one of the most successful players in English soccer. He won eight first-division titles and four European Cups with the Reds. Neal later went on to become a manager and won the Soccer League Trophy with Bolton Wanderers in 1988-89. He was perhaps a role model to Neville of United.
7. Gary Neville (England)
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville deserves a place on every list of right-backs. Known to be extremely reliable, Neville was a one-club man and one of the most trusted confidants of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Neville made 400 appearances for United, scoring four goals. His pace, creativity, and hard-won trust in defense made him a regular starter at the club. He won eight EPL titles and two Champions League titles with United.
6. Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy)
Former Italian fullback Gianluca Zambrotta primarily liked to operate on the right flank, but his versatility often made him play on the left as well. Zambrotta made 217 appearances for Juventus, where he’s regarded as an iconic figure.
He also played for Barcelona and AC Milan in his career. Although he never won the Champions League, Zambrotta won the Serie A twice, once with Juve and once with Milan. He was also a part of the 2006 World Cup-winning Italy side.
5. Giuseppe Bergomi (Italy)
Former Italian right-back Giuseppe Bergomi is noted to be one of the best defenders the country has ever produced. He was awarded the highest accolade by none other than the legendary Pele when he selected the former to be part of the FIFA 100 list in 2004.
Bergomi was a one-club man and spent his entire career with Inter Milan at the San Siro Stadium. There, he made 517 appearances and won the Serie A once and UEFA Cup thrice. Bergomi was a part of the 1982 World Cup-winning Italy side as well.
4. Lilian Thuram (France)
Former France defender Lilian Thuram was widely regarded as being one of the most versatile players of his generation. Although he was primarily a right-back, Thuram could also ply his trade in the central defender’s position if needed.
Thuram was quick, creative, and extremely dangerous on the right flank, playing for Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona in his club career. Perhaps his greatest achievement was winning the FIFA World Cup with France under Didier Deschamps’ captaincy in 1998.
3. Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Germany’s Philipp Lahm is one of the greatest modern-era right-backs the world has seen. The former Bayern Munich player was the captain of his club and country and led them to the 2014 World Cup.
Lahm was also instrumental in leading Bayern to eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League title (in 2012-13). Lahm was one of the most technically astute defenders the modern game has seen and retired in 2017 as a legend.
2. Dani Alves (Brazil)
Former Brazil and Barcelona defender Dani Alves is widely regarded as one of the most artistic and elegant soccer players of his time. Alves is one of the most decorated soccer players in the world, having won 43 trophies during his career. Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain were three of the biggest clubs in which he played. He won the Summer Olympics gold medal with Brazil in 2020.
1. Cafu (Marcos Evangelista de Morais) (Brazil)
The iconic Cafu ranks first for being perhaps the best right-back in history. His pace, efficiency, and creative output made him a dangerous proposition as an attacker for club and country. Cafu was known for his energetic runs down the flanks to supply balls to his attackers and then track back to defend.
He’s also the highest-capped player for Brazil with 143 appearances. Cafu won two World Cup titles with Brazil in 1994 and 2002. He also won a Serie A and Champions League title with AC Milan. He comes first on our list.
