Who are the best fullbacks in football right now? Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes stand out for their pace, attacking threat, and defensive quality, with several other elite players close behind.
There is no single perfect ranking: some fullbacks create chances high up the pitch, while others excel at stopping dangerous wingers or moving into midfield. This guide compares leading right backs and left backs, explains what makes each one effective, and shows how to judge the position beyond goals and assists.
Who are the best fullbacks in football right now?
For a balanced current shortlist, start with Achraf Hakimi at right back and Nuno Mendes at left back. Both combine exceptional athleticism with the technique and tactical awareness needed to influence matches at both ends. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jules Koundé, Theo Hernández, and Federico Dimarco also belong in the leading conversation, although their strengths differ.
This is a judgment-based ranking, not an official award list. Form, fitness, team tactics, and the role a player is asked to perform can all change the order. The strongest player for one system may not be the best choice for another.
The names below focus on established senior players in the men’s game. Women’s football has elite fullbacks too, including players such as Lucy Bronze, Ona Batlle, Ashley Lawrence, and Sakina Karchaoui. The same tactical principles apply, even though teams and competitions differ.
Top right backs and what they do best
Achraf Hakimi: the strongest all-around attacking threat
Hakimi is among the most complete modern right backs because he can cover ground at speed, overlap on the outside, and arrive in advanced areas. He gives his team a direct route forward when space opens on the flank. His acceleration also helps him recover after an attack breaks down.
His value is not limited to running. He can combine with teammates in tight spaces and make purposeful forward passes. That makes him a strong fit for teams that want their fullbacks to stretch the field and contribute near the penalty area.
There is a trade-off: an attacking fullback may leave space behind when a team loses the ball. Hakimi’s team needs a plan for covering that space, often through a holding midfielder or a center back shifting across.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: exceptional range of passing
Alexander-Arnold is best known for creating chances with crosses, switches of play, and long passes from deep positions. He can act like a playmaker from the right side, helping a team move the ball quickly from defense into attack. That passing range can change the shape of an opponent’s defense.
He is not always used as a conventional fullback. A coach may move him into midfield during possession, where he can receive the ball centrally and direct attacks. This is useful when the team needs another passer, but it changes who must defend the right channel when possession is lost.
His ranking depends on what you value. If creative passing is the priority, he can be the best in the position. If the test is one-on-one defending against fast wingers, other right backs may be a more dependable choice.
Jules Koundé: a defense-first option with versatility
Koundé offers a different profile. He is a strong defender who can handle difficult matchups, read danger, and contribute at right back despite also playing as a center back. That background can help him defend the box and manage physical duels.
He is valuable to teams that need structure rather than constant forward runs. His presence can allow a more attack-minded player on the opposite side to take greater risks. Koundé’s flexibility also gives a coach options when adjusting the back line during a match.
Reece James: outstanding tools when available
At his best, James brings strength, crossing ability, and a powerful attacking presence. He can deliver dangerous balls from wide areas and is physically capable of competing with strong opponents. His skill set makes him an obvious candidate among top right backs.
Availability is an important part of any assessment. Repeated fitness interruptions can limit a player’s influence over a season, even when his peak level is excellent. That is why a fair ranking considers both what a player can do and how consistently he can contribute.
Dani Carvajal: experience and defensive timing
Carvajal has built a reputation as a dependable defender who understands when to press, when to hold his position, and how to support teammates. He is a useful example of why fullback quality cannot be measured by attacking numbers alone. Good positioning can prevent a dangerous move before it becomes a shot or cross.
Age and fitness are relevant when judging any veteran player’s current standing. His experience remains instructive, but a present-day ranking should account for whether he is regularly available and performing at his previous level.
Top left backs and their strengths
Nuno Mendes: pace, recovery, and forward movement
Mendes is one of the leading left backs because he can defend space and then turn defense into attack with quick forward runs. His speed is especially useful when a team plays with a high defensive line. If an opponent sends a pass into the channel, he can often recover ground quickly.
He also has the technical ability to combine in advanced areas instead of relying only on straight-line running. That makes him a strong choice for teams that want an energetic left side without sacrificing the ability to keep possession.
Theo Hernández: a powerful carrier of the ball
Hernández is dangerous when he has room to drive forward. He can carry the ball over long distances and force opponents to retreat, which creates space for teammates. Few left backs make a counterattack feel as direct when they surge into open ground.
That aggressive approach requires cover. If he moves high, a teammate must protect the area he leaves behind. His best role is therefore shaped by the team’s defensive balance, not just his individual ability.
Federico Dimarco: crossing and delivery from wide areas
Dimarco is a technically gifted left-sided player whose delivery can make a major difference. His crosses and set-piece service give his team a way to threaten the box without needing to dribble past several defenders. He can also contribute by moving into useful positions around the edge of the attacking area.
His specific role can vary. In a system that uses a back three, he may operate as a wingback, starting higher and receiving more freedom to attack. That role is related to fullback, but it usually involves different defensive responsibilities.
Alphonso Davies: speed and transition threat
Davies is known for explosive pace and the ability to carry the ball forward quickly. He can turn a defensive recovery into a counterattack in seconds. His athleticism also gives him a way to defend large areas when his team plays high up the pitch.
As with any player whose impact depends partly on speed, fitness and availability matter. His standing should be judged on his current performances and role, not only on the level he has reached in previous seasons.
Alejandro Balde: an attacking option with room to grow
Balde offers pace and forward movement on the left. He can help a team stretch the opposition and create passing options outside a winger. His development also illustrates how young fullbacks may still be refining their defensive decisions while already offering real attacking value.
For a developing player, the key question is not only whether he can beat an opponent or reach the byline. It is whether he can choose the right moment to advance, maintain his position when needed, and respond quickly after a turnover.
How the leading fullbacks compare
These comparisons describe general playing strengths, not fixed ratings. A coach’s system can make a player’s role look very different from one match to the next.
| Player | Side | Standout quality | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achraf Hakimi | Right | Pace and two-way attacking runs | Teams that attack aggressively down the flank |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Right | Creative passing and crossing | Possession teams needing a deep playmaker |
| Jules Koundé | Right | Defensive reliability and versatility | Teams prioritizing structure and one-on-one defending |
| Reece James | Right | Strength and crossing | Teams seeking a powerful, direct wide defender |
| Nuno Mendes | Left | Recovery pace and forward runs | High-line teams that need athletic coverage |
| Theo Hernández | Left | Ball carrying and counterattacking | Teams that can cover an adventurous fullback |
| Federico Dimarco | Left | Crossing and attacking delivery | Systems using a wingback or wide creator |
| Alphonso Davies | Left | Explosive speed in transition | Teams that attack open space quickly |
What makes a fullback great?
Defending the space outside the center backs
A fullback is responsible for the wide defensive channel, but the job is not simply to follow the opposing winger everywhere. The player must judge whether to press, hold position, or pass the opponent to a teammate. A poor choice can open a lane toward goal or leave a center back exposed.
One-on-one defending involves body position as well as tackling. A defender often tries to guide the attacker toward the touchline, where the angle is narrower and help may be closer. Staying balanced matters more than lunging in for a dramatic challenge.
Choosing when to overlap or move inside
An overlap happens when a fullback runs outside a teammate who has the ball. It gives the ball carrier an extra passing option and can pull a defender away from the center. Some fullbacks instead move inside, into a central midfield space, to help their team keep possession.
The right choice depends on where the winger is, where the opponents are positioned, and who will cover the space behind. If both fullbacks go forward at once, the team may be exposed to a quick counterattack. Good attacking movement is coordinated, not just energetic.
Providing quality in the final third
The final third is the area closest to the opponent’s goal. A fullback can influence it with a cross, a cutback, a short combination, or a run that draws a defender away from a teammate. The most useful action is the one that creates a clear advantage, not necessarily the most spectacular one.
Assists and goals are easy to notice, but they do not capture every contribution. A pass that starts a move, a run that opens space for a winger, or a defensive recovery after an attack can matter just as much to the overall performance.
Making good decisions after losing possession
Teams often lose the ball while a fullback is high up the pitch. The player must react immediately: press the ball if support is close, recover toward the defensive line if the opponent can break forward, or block a passing lane if direct pressure is not possible.
This is one reason fullbacks need tactical awareness as well as speed. Pace can help repair a mistake, but positioning and quick decisions can prevent the mistake from becoming a dangerous chance.
Fullback, wingback, and inverted fullback: the difference
The labels describe related jobs, but they are not interchangeable. A traditional fullback usually starts in a back four and balances defending the flank with supporting attacks. A wingback commonly plays in a back three and begins higher, with more responsibility for providing width and running the length of the pitch.
An inverted fullback moves toward the center of the field when the team has the ball. This can add a midfielder, help control possession, and protect against counterattacks through the middle. It also means the player may not constantly make outside runs.
| Role | Typical starting position | Main benefit | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional fullback | Wide in a back four | Balances flank defense and support | Teams using a standard four-player defense |
| Wingback | Wide and higher in a back three | Provides width and sustained forward runs | Teams with three center backs and flank cover |
| Inverted fullback | Moves centrally in possession | Adds a passing option and midfield control | Possession teams that want numerical support inside |
A player can perform more than one of these roles, but that does not mean each role asks the same thing of them. When comparing players, look at the actual task they perform for their club or national team.
How to judge fullbacks beyond goals and assists
Attacking numbers can be useful, but they are only part of the picture. A fullback may have few direct goal contributions because the team attacks through the opposite side, or because the player is instructed to stay back. A high number of crosses does not automatically mean those crosses are accurate or well chosen.
Watch a match and ask a few practical questions:
- Does the player defend one-on-one effectively? Notice whether opponents get past them easily or are forced into less dangerous areas.
- Are their forward runs timed well? A well-timed run gives the team an option without leaving the defense unprotected too early.
- Do they contribute to build-up? Check whether they can keep possession under pressure and find useful passes.
- What happens when the team loses the ball? Their reaction reveals whether they understand the team’s defensive plan.
- Can they repeat those actions consistently? Availability and steady performance matter over a full season.
These checks help separate a highlight reel from a complete performance. They also explain why rankings can differ: one viewer may value chance creation, while another puts greater weight on defensive reliability.
Common mistakes when ranking the best fullbacks
- Ranking only by attacking output: A fullback must defend, cover space, and support possession as well as create chances.
- Ignoring the system: A player given freedom to attack may look more productive than one assigned to protect the back line.
- Treating wingbacks and fullbacks as identical: Their starting positions and defensive duties can differ substantially.
- Overvaluing reputation: A famous name is not automatically the strongest current performer. Recent form and availability matter.
- Comparing players without considering teammates: A midfielder who covers the flank can make an adventurous fullback appear safer than he would be in another team.
A commonly missed detail: the best fullback is often part of a defensive partnership, not a one-player solution. Before judging a player for being caught high up the pitch, check whether the team has assigned someone to cover that space—and whether that teammate did so.
So, who should top your shortlist?
For a blend of athleticism and attacking contribution, Hakimi and Mendes are strong picks. Choose Alexander-Arnold if creative passing is the quality you value most, Koundé for a more defense-first right side, Hernández for direct ball carrying, and Dimarco for delivery and wingback-style attacking play.
There is no universal winner because a fullback’s value depends on the team’s needs. Compare players by role, defensive responsibility, technical contribution, and consistency. That gives you a more useful answer than relying on a single highlight or attacking statistic.
The best fullbacks in football combine sound defending with the right kind of attacking contribution for their team. Hakimi and Mendes offer a compelling all-around profile, while Alexander-Arnold, Koundé, Hernández, and Dimarco stand out for different strengths.
To compare them fairly, watch how each player defends one-on-one, chooses when to advance, and responds when possession changes hands. Start with those details in your next match, then weigh attacking output against the role the player has been given.