Top 10 Full-Backs in the World (2024): Elite Defenders

Here are the best full-backs in the world, excelling in one of football's most rapidly evolving positions.

By: Anna Ciao

06/20/2024 06:39

One of the most rapidly evolving positions on the football field is the full-back. Modern football and coaching tactics have transformed this role to the point where it can be challenging to identify full-backs in their traditional positions.

Nowadays, full-backs often play further up the field, operating in the midfield and even in attack. The days of Gary Neville, Paolo Maldini, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Carlos, and others are long gone.

Today's full-backs are versatile enough to play as wingers or attacking midfielders and are frequently seen moving up and down the wings, contributing both offensively and defensively.

This position is currently regarded as the hardest to play in football. Today, we present the top 10 best full-backs in football in 2024.

1. Achraf Hakimi

At just 25, Achraf Hakimi has established himself as an elite full-back, embodying nearly everything required for the position.Hakimi boasts extensive big-game experience, having played for some of Europe's top football clubs, including Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and now PSG.He has secured every major trophy in club football and recently played a pivotal role in helping Morocco reach the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup.Hakimi's versatility extends beyond defense; he is equally effective on the wing and in the midfield.The former Real Madrid and Dortmund player is also highly dependable with set pieces, making him one of the top full-backs in the game.

2. Trent Alexander-Arnold

In the next couple of seasons, Trent Alexander-Arnold may no longer be considered a full-back, as both Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and England manager Gareth Southgate have deployed him in more advanced positions like midfield. Since this experiment began in the 2022/2023 season, Alexander-Arnold has excelled.

Alexander-Arnold is exceptional at crossing, set-pieces, corner kicks, and free kicks, as well as his passing game.

While some might argue that his defensive qualities as a full-back are not the strongest, the Englishman still performs adequately in defense. His attacking prowess makes him one of the best full-backs in world football today.

Regarded as one of the top attacking full-backs, Alexander-Arnold is known for his crossing, dead-ball expertise, work rate, passing range, and ability to provide assists. In the 2021/22 Premier League season, he delivered an impressive 12 assists from his full-back position.

3. Alphonso Davies

Alphonso Davies possesses the speed and energy to excel as both a left-back and a wing-back. At just 23, the Canadian has already played a crucial role in Bayern Munich's dominance, contributing significantly as a forward.

Davies was instrumental in helping the Canadian national team qualify for the 2022 World Cup for the first time in decades. His versatility allows him to advance forward frequently, not being restricted to the left-back position alone.

His strength and agility, combined with his incredible speed, make him one of the most challenging defenders to beat. Davies is a formidable presence on the field, blending defensive prowess with attacking flair.

4. Kyle Walker

At 33, Manchester City and Guardiola found it difficult to let England defender Kyle Walker leave the club. Recognizing the potential mistake, they admitted last week that replacing Walker would have been a significant challenge.

For the past six years, Walker has been Manchester City's first-choice right-back, even pushing world-class João Cancelo to the left-back position and eventually out of the team.

Few players can match Kylian Mbappe's pace, and Walker's speed is unparalleled among full-backs in the league. Due to his age, he has lately been more content with sitting back and defending rather than attacking.

Nevertheless, he remains one of the best defenders in football today, combining his defensive prowess with exceptional speed and experience.

5. Dani Carvajal

Versatile, hardworking, technical, fast, and skillful: these are the words often used to describe former Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal. Despite his significant contributions, Carvajal doesn’t always receive the recognition he rightly deserves, often overshadowed by his more famous teammates during Real Madrid’s title wins.

This season, Carvajal showcased his importance to both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. At the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals, he scored the winning penalty, leading Spain to their first UEFA Nations League title. His crucial performances also helped Madrid clinch their 15th UCL title and his sixth, alongside another impressive La Liga victory.

Carvajal is known for being one of the toughest defenders to beat, thanks to his top-notch tackling ability. Remarkably, he excels on both sides of the defense, adding to his versatility. He is equally adept at supporting his winger and launching attacks, often delivering dangerous crosses that trouble opposition defenses.

At 32, Carvajal is still considered one of the best full-backs in Europe and one of the top right-backs in the world. As a traditional full-back, he times his forward runs well, but it is his tactical sense, positioning, and defensive skills that truly set him apart.

6. Joshua Kimmich

While speed is often essential for a full-back, Joshua Kimmich's main assets lie elsewhere. Known for his versatility, Kimmich is highly capable of playing as a defensive midfielder and is considered one of the best in that position globally.

Kimmich is one of Germany's finest full-backs, having evolved from a purely defensive role to a player renowned for his passing ability and proficiency in set pieces, corner kicks, and free kicks. His technical skills and game intelligence make him a key asset for Bayern Munich and the German national team.

Interestingly, on October 28, 2023, Kimmich received his first-ever straight red card in his senior career during a match that ended in an 8–0 victory over Darmstadt. Despite this rare incident, his 2023/24 season was notable, highlighted by scoring the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory over Arsenal, securing a 3–2 aggregate win in the quarter-finals and propelling Bayern Munich into the semi-finals of the season.

Kimmich’s defensive qualities are often underrated. He excels at making crucial blocks, tackles, and winning back possession, demonstrating his all-around capability and importance to his team.

7. Álex Grimaldo

Álex Grimaldo is one of the few players naturally suited to the wing-back role rather than the traditional full-back position. Despite emphasizing that defending remains a wing-back’s primary responsibility, Grimaldo doesn't hesitate to make rapid, offensive runs into the opposition's box.

The 28-year-old Spaniard, now playing for Bayer Leverkusen, has been pivotal in his team's unbeaten Bundesliga campaign. Since his arrival, Grimaldo has been recognized as one of the best left wing-backs in world football.

In his first season with Leverkusen in 2023–24, he led the Bundesliga with an impressive 13 assists, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly in attack. Despite his exceptional performances, he has often been underrated in the broader football community.

Grimaldo's defensive prowess combined with his offensive capabilities make him crucial to Leverkusen’s style of play. His balance of defending and attacking ensures he remains a standout player in modern football.

8. Theo Hernández

Theo Hernandez plays as a left-back for Serie A club AC Milan and the French national team. He is renowned for his speed, dribbling, and goalscoring ability, which have earned him a reputation as one of the best full-backs in the world.

Hernandez's vision and attacking mindset provide a significant advantage for modern football managers. He has openly expressed that he sees himself more as a playmaker, aligning with the trend of full-backs adopting more attack-oriented roles.

In the 2021/22 season, Hernandez showcased his exceptional dribbling ability by scoring a wonder goal that saw him carry the ball from his own half, a goal that was later named the best in Serie A that year.

Despite his frequent presence in the opposition's box, Hernandez does not neglect his defensive responsibilities. His balance of offensive flair and solid defensive performance makes him a key asset for both his club and national team.

9. Jules Koundé

Originally a centre-back, Jules Koundé has successfully transitioned to playing as a right-back for both his club and country, solidifying his position as one of the world's top full-backs.

Despite Barcelona's challenging campaign last season, Koundé stood out for the Blaugrana with consistent and impressive performances.

Known for his energy and work rate, Koundé frequently ventures into the opposition's half to support his team's attacking plays.

He is highly regarded for his crossing ability, considered among the best in La Liga, and remains a dependable presence defensively as well.

10. Joško Gvardiol

You might be forgiven if you mistake Joško Gvardiol's name for that of an attacking player, but he is actually a full-back for Manchester City, where he has been a defensive linchpin for the Citizens throughout the 2023/24 season.

Gvardiol demonstrates remarkable versatility and skill, excelling not only as a traditional left-back but also as a center-back and even further up the field as a left-sided wing-back.

His ability to read the game and comfort on the ball make him a standout defender in modern football. During the 2023/24 season, Gvardiol's performances have been consistently stellar.

The Croatian hit a scoring form late last season, contributing significantly to Manchester City's EPL title triumph.

Gvardiol's playing style is defined by exceptional positioning, physicality, and technical skills. He excels at disrupting opposition play and initiating counter-attacks, making him a crucial asset in Pep Guardiola's system.

At just 22 years old, Gvardiol is recognized as one of the premier left-footed centre-backs, known for his comfort on the ball and superb passing range.

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Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.