15 Greatest Right-Backs in Football History [Ranked]

The role of the right-back has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, evolving from a primarily defensive role alongside the right centre-back to a key creative force in modern teams. With players like Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold posting assist numbers never seen before, a sharp contrast to the more defensive-minded right-backs of the past, it’s clear how the position has evolved.

Despite the changes in style and expectations across different eras, right-backs have always been crucial members of any starting XI. Throughout the history of football, numerous right-backs have made their mark, with legends like Cafu and Kyle Walker redefining the position and leaving an indelible legacy. With that in mind, here are the top 15 greatest right-backs in football history.

15. Maicon

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

Maicon joined Inter Milan from French club Monaco in 2006 for a reported fee of €6.8 million. During his time at the San Siro, he won four Serie A titles, three Italian Cups, a FIFA Club World Cup, and three Italian Super Cups. However, his most significant achievement in Milan came in the 2009-10 season when he lifted the Champions League trophy under José Mourinho.

At Inter, Maicon was known for his thrilling runs down the right flank, captivating fans with his samba flair. This dynamic style earned him a spot in the Brazilian national team, where he earned 76 caps. Maicon carried his exciting play into international duty, scoring one of the most iconic World Cup goals in history. The memorable strike came against North Korea, where Maicon struck a powerful shot from an almost impossible angle, curling the ball into the net.

After successful stints at Manchester City and AS Roma, Maicon retired in 2021.

14. Manfred Kaltz

Notable clubs: Hamburger SV

Manfred Kaltz.#HSV pic.twitter.com/2Pn6LcocQU

— Olympia (@olympia_vintage) May 2, 2024

Aside from brief stints with Girondins Bordeaux and Mulhouse, Manfred Kaltz spent the entirety of his career at Hamburger SV, where he established himself as one of the greatest right-backs of all time. Over the course of his career, the German defender made over 750 appearances for the club.

Kaltz's success wasn't limited to the club level. He was also a standout performer for the German national team, winning a European Championship and reaching another final, as well as finishing as a runner-up in the 1982 World Cup. Known for his attacking prowess, Kaltz was a prolific goal scorer, netting over 100 goals during his career—a remarkable feat for a defender.

13. Mauro Tassotti

Notable clubs: Lazio, AC Milan

After breaking through with Lazio, Mauro Tassotti joined AC Milan in 1980 and went on to spend an incredible 17 years at the iconic Italian club. During his time at Milan, he became a legend, playing nearly 600 games and lifting 19 pieces of silverware, leaving a lasting impact on the club and football as a whole.

While his international career didn’t quite match his success at Milan, Tassotti earned seven caps for Italy. Nevertheless, he was one of the pioneers of the attacking full-back role, offering an offensive threat that helped redefine the position for future generations.

12. Berti Vogts

Notable clubs: Borussia Monchengladbach

 EURO 1972 winner
 1974 World Cup winner

Happy 76th birthday to Berti Vogts!  pic.twitter.com/6tC2oe8IgQ

— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) December 30, 2022

Berti Vogts is the epitome of a one-club man, having spent his entire career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he represented the club with distinction for 14 years. He was a key figure during one of the most successful periods in the club's history, helping them secure five Bundesliga titles over a seven-year span.

Vogts' consistency and quality were evident throughout his career, as he was named to the Bundesliga Team of the Year nine times. That alone speaks volumes about his exceptional ability. Reliable and durable, the full-back played over 27 games in every season except for two, solidifying his status as a legend both for his club and for Germany.

11. Kyle Walker

Notable clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City

Kyle Walker is the embodiment of the modern-day full-back, having spent over 15 years in the English top flight, consistently performing at the highest level. From his early days at Sheffield United to becoming a title-winning captain at Manchester City, Walker has been at the forefront of the evolution of the right-back role. Since joining City from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, he has won 17 major trophies.

Under Pep Guardiola, Walker has showcased his versatility, taking on roles that many wouldn’t have expected from a traditional right-back. Whether drifting into midfield or stepping in as a centre-back, he has proven his tactical intelligence and silenced any doubters, establishing himself as one of the most strategically aware full-backs of his generation.

10. Gianluca Zambrotta

Notable clubs: Juventus, FC Barcelona, AC Milan

Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta was a trailblazer in the evolution of the modern right-back. Initially starting his career as a talented winger, his impressive performances earned him a move to Juventus from Bari in 1999. Over the next six seasons at the Turin club, Zambrotta gradually transitioned from right wing to right back, a shift that has since become common in modern football.

After establishing himself as a key player at Juventus, Zambrotta made a high-profile move to FC Barcelona, further underscoring his quality. His experience on the wing allowed him to retain strong attacking instincts, often charging forward at every opportunity, while his defensive abilities were equally impressive, showcasing excellent reading of the game. After a successful stint at Barcelona, Zambrotta continued his career at AC Milan before retiring in 2013.

9. Giuseppe Bergomi

Notable clubs: Inter Milan

Milan's iconic clubs have always had a special allure for legendary full-backs, and Giuseppe Bergomi is no exception. Spending his entire career at Inter Milan, Bergomi made over 750 appearances for the Serie A side. As the team's captain, he was a dominant force on the right side of defense and is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest defenders in Italy’s history.

In 2004, Bergomi was included in Pele's prestigious FIFA 100 list, a selection that speaks volumes about his legacy. If one of the greatest footballers of all time rates you that highly, it's hard to argue with the praise.

8. Djalma Santos

Notable clubs: Portuguesa, Palmeiras

Palmeiras em cenas..

Temporada do fax! 

Djalma Santos, ídolo do Palmeiras, após a conquista do Robertão de 1967.

Foto: Arquivo do Estadão. pic.twitter.com/INfVbMnlBK

— Umberto Conti (@umbertocontiho3) December 5, 2023

Although Djalma Santos never played for a club outside his home country of Brazil, he left an indelible mark on football and is widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs in history. He was exceptional for both Portuguesa and Palmeiras, as well as for the Brazilian national team.

Santos was a key part of two World Cup-winning squads with Brazil and accumulated a trophy collection that would make many top-level professionals envious. Known for his professionalism, Santos never received a red card throughout his career. Given that he is one of the few players to have played over 1,000 matches, this is a remarkable achievement.

7. Gary Neville

Notable clubs: Manchester United

Gary Neville is a local hero, a one-club man, and a true leader. From his days in the Class of '92 at Carrington to making his debut for the Manchester United first team, Neville never looked back. Once he earned his spot at the club he grew up supporting, he fought tirelessly to maintain it for nearly two decades, playing a pivotal role in one of the greatest sides ever assembled.

A master of the right-back position, Neville adapted to every challenge, enduring squad overhauls and the arrival of superstar signings. His immense contributions to United’s success over the years have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest right-backs England has ever produced.

6. Lilian Thuram

Notable clubs: Monaco, Parma, Juventus, FC Barcelona

Lilian Thuram made his name at Parma, where his exceptional performances in Serie A and on the international stage helped him stand out. His stellar defensive displays during France's World Cup triumph in 1998, along with his consistency in Serie A, caught the attention of Juventus. If his World Cup win wasn’t enough to impress, his French Player of the Year award in 1997 certainly was. After a €36 million deal was struck, Thuram moved to Turin, where he went on to win two Scudettos, a UEFA Cup, an Italian Cup, and an Italian Super Cup, adding to the silverware he had earned at Parma.

In 2000, Thuram added another international trophy to his collection, winning the European Championships with France. Six years later, he joined another European powerhouse, FC Barcelona. In Catalonia, Thuram won a Spanish Super Cup before retiring after two seasons. Known for his robust style of play, Thuram was a master at winning the ball back and was nearly impossible to beat one-on-one. His powerful presence and composed approach to defending made him a formidable opponent and one of the best in his position.

5. Javier Zanetti

Notable clubs: Inter

Born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents, Javier Zanetti was destined for greatness with two footballing powerhouses in his bloodline. After turning down offers from Argentine giants Boca Juniors and River Plate, Zanetti chose to join Inter Milan and head to his parents' homeland. Upon arriving in Italy, his legendary career was set in motion. Over 19 years at the club, Zanetti became one of the most iconic captains in football history, winning five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups, a UEFA Cup, a Champions League, and a Club World Cup.

Zanetti was not just an outstanding right-back; his versatility allowed him to play on the left or even in central midfield. With his attacking confidence and exceptional ball skills, Zanetti was occasionally deployed in midfield, as seen in Inter's Champions League final victory. Although he never won a World Cup with Argentina, Zanetti left an indelible legacy at Inter, cementing his status as one of the greatest players the club has ever known.

4. Carlos Alberto

Notable clubs: Fluminense, Santos, Flamengo, New York Cosmos

Carlos Alberto, a Brazilian icon, is widely regarded as one of the country's greatest ever players to wear the yellow and blue jersey. While he enjoyed a highly successful 15-year career in Brazil's top flight with clubs like Fluminense, Botafogo, Flamengo, and predominantly Santos, it was his time with the Brazilian national team that earned him global recognition. In 1970, Carlos Alberto captained Brazil to their third World Cup title.

Throughout his career, Alberto won four Brazilian league titles in addition to the World Cup. Later in his career, he moved to MLS, joining the New York Cosmos, where he won the league title four times. After retiring in 1983, Alberto went on to manage across South America. Known for his leadership, he also possessed an exceptional vision for passing, whether short or long, making him a creative force from deep – a rarity for a full-back in his era.

3. Philipp Lahm

Notable clubs: Vfb Stuttgart, Bayern Munich

German maestro Philipp Lahm made 332 appearances for Bayern Munich and 113 for his country between 2002 and 2017. Over his illustrious career, Lahm won 23 titles, with his World Cup victory in 2014 standing as the pinnacle of his achievements with Germany. From his debut to his final match, Lahm exuded class on and off the field.

Playing the game at his own tempo, Lahm remained calm under pressure, never seeming flustered. His composure on the ball was matched by his exceptional ability to read the game, effortlessly intercepting attacks. A tough tackler with a complete skillset, Lahm's versatility was showcased when Guardiola moved him into midfield at Bayern, a positional shift that proved hugely successful for both Lahm and the team.

2. Dani Alves

Notable clubs: Sevilla FC, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain

Dani Alves, the Brazilian legend and former FC Barcelona star, is widely recognized as one of the most decorated players in football history. His trophy-laden career spans across Brazil, Spain, France, and Italy, where he amassed numerous league and cup titles. In addition to his club successes, Alves also won two Copa América titles with Brazil, in 2007 and 2019, further cementing his legacy as one of the game's greats.

1. Cafu

Notable clubs: AS Roma, AC Milan

Cafu began his career in Brazil, spending six seasons at São Paulo before moving to Europe. After a brief stint at Spanish club Real Zaragoza, he returned to Brazil, only to be lured back to Europe by Italian giants Roma. There, Cafu enjoyed a successful spell, winning a Serie A title and a Coppa Italia. His success in Rome led to a move to AC Milan, where he experienced the most prosperous period of his domestic career, adding more silverware, including the Champions League title in 2007.

On the international stage, Cafu won two World Cups and holds the record as Brazil's most capped player with 143 appearances. His exceptional passing range, dynamic dribbling, blistering pace, and resolute defending made him the epitome of a flawless right-back. Cafu’s remarkable achievements and all-around ability have earned him recognition as one of the greatest right-backs of all time.