Achraf Hakimi is the strongest overall choice for who is the best fullback in football right now, especially if you value pace, attacking threat, and performance on the biggest stages. The answer depends on whether you mean the right or left side, and how much weight you give to defending.
Hakimi’s case is compelling, but there are other top candidates. This article compares his strengths with those of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jules Koundé, and leading left-sided options. It also explains what makes a fullback effective, why a single ranking can be misleading, and how to judge the role beyond goals and assists.
who is the best fullback in football right now
Achraf Hakimi is the best all-around pick based on the available evidence from the 2024–25 season. He combines high-level attacking output with the speed and athleticism needed to recover into defensive positions. His performances for Paris Saint-Germain have also shown that he can contribute in demanding matches, not just against weaker opposition.
That answer needs two qualifications. First, “fullback” covers players on both sides, and the right side has different leading contenders from the left. Second, the best player for one team may not be the best fit for another. A team that needs accurate long passing could favor Trent Alexander-Arnold, while a side that prioritizes one-on-one defending may prefer Jules Koundé.
Here, “football” means association football. The comparison weighs attacking contribution, defensive reliability, availability, tactical range, and performances in high-pressure games. It is a reasoned ranking, not an official award or a claim that every supporter will value the same qualities.
Why Hakimi gets the overall nod
Hakimi offers a rare combination of speed, forward threat, and recovery ability. He can advance beyond the winger, carry the ball into dangerous areas, and arrive near the penalty area without losing the pace to get back when an attack breaks down. That mix makes him useful in both settled possession and quick transitions.
His role at PSG shows why a fullback’s value cannot be measured only by tackles or crosses. He can hold width to stretch a defense, move into inside channels to support midfield, or make a run beyond the opposing back line. Those choices give teammates more ways to progress the ball and force defenders to decide whom to track.
Hakimi’s speed matters on defense as well as attack. When a teammate loses possession high up the field, he has the physical range to chase back and contest space behind the defense. Recovery pace does not make a player immune to mistakes, but it can reduce the cost of an aggressive starting position.
His strongest case is as an attacking fullback who remains dangerous in elite competition. He is not necessarily the best pure defender in every matchup, and no fullback can cover every tactical weakness alone. But his overall contribution is difficult to match when a team wants a player who can influence both ends of the pitch.
How the leading fullbacks compare
The best choice changes with the job a team needs done. The table compares prominent candidates by their main strengths and the type of team each suits. It is a role-based guide rather than a claim that every player performs the same way in every match.
| Player | Side | Main strength | Best for | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achraf Hakimi | Right | Pace, forward runs, and two-way threat | Teams seeking an aggressive, versatile fullback | His forward positioning can leave space to defend |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Right | Passing range and chance creation | Teams building attacks through distribution | His defensive fit depends on the system and support around him |
| Jules Koundé | Right | Defensive discipline and one-on-one work | Teams needing reliable cover against wide attackers | Offers a different kind of attacking threat from Hakimi or Trent |
| Nuno Mendes | Left | Pace, carrying, and direct runs | Teams looking for an energetic left-sided outlet | Availability and form should be considered over a full season |
| Alphonso Davies | Left | Explosive speed and transition threat | Teams that attack quickly into open space | Recent availability and defensive consistency affect the comparison |
What makes a fullback great today?
A modern fullback is more than a defender stationed near the touchline. The role can include protecting the outside channel, supporting the midfield, creating width, and joining attacks near the box. Teams often ask the same player to switch between these jobs several times in one possession.
Defending space, not just making tackles
A strong defender reads the play early. They need to judge whether to close down the winger, protect the space behind, or narrow toward the center to help a teammate. A player who makes few dramatic tackles may still defend well by steering opponents away from dangerous areas.
One-on-one defense is important, but it is only part of the picture. Fullbacks also have to track runners, communicate with center backs, and recover after an attack changes direction. Their starting position can make a challenge easier or harder before the ball even arrives.
Creating useful attacks
Attacking contribution is not limited to goals and assists. A fullback can draw a defender away from a teammate, provide an outlet under pressure, or move the ball forward with a well-timed pass. Those actions can help a team enter the final third even when they do not appear in a highlight reel.
Overlapping runs—runs outside a teammate who has the ball—can stretch a defense and open room for a winger to cut inside. Some players instead move inside and help form an extra midfield option. The right choice depends on the coach’s plan and the players around them.
Consistency and availability
A brilliant run of matches matters, but season-long value also depends on staying fit and delivering regularly. Injuries can interrupt rhythm, while competition for places can change a player’s minutes or role. That is why a current ranking should consider more than a handful of memorable performances.
Right-back or left-back: why the distinction matters
Supporters often ask for the single best fullback as if the right and left sides were interchangeable. The positions share core responsibilities, but a player’s preferred foot and a team’s attacking pattern can change the demands. A left-footed player on the left may cross more naturally, while a right-footed player on the same side might be asked to move inside.
Hakimi’s strongest comparison is with right-sided players. Alexander-Arnold brings a different kind of value through his passing and delivery, while Koundé offers a more defense-first profile. On the left, Nuno Mendes and Davies have the pace to push forward and cover ground, but their cases should be judged separately rather than treated as direct replacements for Hakimi.
For a team deciding whom to recruit or start, the useful question is not simply “Who is the best?” Ask what the side needs from the position. A team with a creative midfield may want a defender who protects transitions; a team that struggles to create chances may benefit more from an attack-minded option.
How to judge a fullback beyond goals and assists
Goals and assists are easy to notice, but they can give an incomplete picture. A player may produce fewer direct contributions because the team attacks down the opposite side, or because the coach asks them to stay back. Compare performance with role and team context in mind.
- Check the starting role. Look at where the player stands in possession and whether they are expected to overlap, move into midfield, or hold a deeper position.
- Assess defensive decisions. Watch how they handle wide attackers, track runs, and respond when the ball turns over. A good position can prevent danger before a tackle is needed.
- Look at progression. Notice whether the player advances the ball with carries or passes and helps the team move from defense into attack.
- Consider the opponent. Strong performances against top-level competition can reveal more than comfortable matches, especially when a player faces a dangerous winger.
- Account for availability. A ranking across a season should reflect whether the player can contribute consistently, not just how high their best performance peaks.
For a quick viewing test, follow the player for several minutes without watching the ball. Notice their position when teammates attack, how quickly they react to a turnover, and whether they help maintain a safe defensive shape. This simple habit often reveals more about the role than a short highlights package.
When another candidate may be the better pick
Choose Alexander-Arnold if your main priority is exceptional distribution from the back. His passing can switch play, find runners, and create chances from deep positions. That skill can be especially valuable for teams that build patiently and have other players ready to cover spaces he leaves when advancing.
Choose Koundé if defensive security is the priority. His value is clearest when a team needs a dependable defender who can manage wide duels and maintain discipline. A less adventurous fullback can be the right choice if the rest of the team already supplies enough width and creativity.
Consider Nuno Mendes or Davies for a left-sided role built around pace and forward movement. Each can stretch the pitch and carry the ball at speed. As with any player, weigh current fitness, consistency, and tactical responsibilities rather than relying on reputation alone.
These alternatives do not make Hakimi a weak choice. They show why rankings depend on what “best” means. A player can be the strongest overall option and still not be the ideal selection for every coach, opponent, or formation.
Common mistakes when comparing fullbacks
Counting attacking numbers as the whole answer is one common mistake. A fullback with more goal contributions may have a more advanced role, more possession, or stronger attacking teammates. Those numbers matter, but they do not tell you how well the player protects space or follows instructions.
Another mistake is treating every defensive action as proof of defensive quality. A high number of tackles may reflect how often a team loses the ball or how frequently opponents target that side. Positioning, timing, and the danger prevented are just as important as the final challenge.
It is also easy to confuse reputation with current performance. A player’s earlier peak or familiar name does not automatically make them the best right now. Look at recent role, form, and availability, and be willing to revise the ranking as those factors change.
Finally, do not assume that a forward-thinking fullback is simply a poor defender. Some teams deliberately ask the player to attack high and rely on a midfielder or center back to cover. The fair test is whether the player carries out the job effectively within that system, not whether they defend exactly like a conservative fullback.
What to watch in a match
Watch Hakimi’s starting position when PSG has the ball. Does he stay wide to stretch the opposition, or move into a channel that gives a midfielder another passing option? His movement can change the shape of the attack even before he receives a pass.
Then watch what happens immediately after possession is lost. Does he sprint back, press the nearest opponent, or rely on a teammate to cover? These moments show the trade-off between attacking ambition and defensive security. A fullback’s quality is often most visible in how quickly they make the next decision.
Use the same approach when comparing other players. Give each one a full match or a substantial stretch of play, rather than judging only a goal, assist, or mistake. The best comparison is based on repeated decisions across different phases of the game.
Achraf Hakimi is the strongest overall answer for who is the best fullback in football right now, thanks to his speed, attacking threat, and ability to recover defensively. Alexander-Arnold, Koundé, and top left-sided players offer compelling alternatives when a team needs different qualities.
For your next comparison, watch each player’s positioning both in possession and just after a turnover. That quick check will help you judge the role, not just the highlights.