Best Right-Backs in the World 2026: Right-backs are now one of the most important positions in modern football. They defend, attack, deliver crosses, and score goals. These ten players are the best in the world at the position right now. Their Transfermarkt values in 2026 back up everything fans see every week on the pitch.
How We Rank These Players
We combine four main factors into a single overall view:
| Factor | |
|---|---|
| 🏅 | Individual performance |
| 🏆 | Team performance |
| 💰 | Transfermarkt value |
| 🔍 | Google search popularity |
10. Michael Kayode
- Club: Brentford FC
- Nationality: Italy
- Market Value: €35 million
Michael Kayode is 21 years old and one of the most exciting young right-backs in English football. He joined Brentford and became their first-choice right-back almost immediately. He is athletic, aggressive in duels, and covers ground quickly in both directions. He averages a 7.14 FotMob rating in the Premier League this season.
He has played 2,094 minutes in the Premier League this season and ranks among the top right-backs for matches played in England. He is Italy’s rising defensive talent. At 21 and valued at €35 million, his market value will rise sharply with more consistent performances.
Michael Kayode Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 32 | 1 | 1 | 2,814′ |
| EFL Cup | 4 | – | – | 137′ |
| FA Cup | 3 | – | 1 | 211′ |
| Total | 39 | 1 | 2 | 3,162′ |
9. Tino Livramento
- Club: Newcastle United
- Nationality: England
- Market Value: €40 million
Tino Livramento has been Newcastle’s first-choice right-back all season. He is quick, works hard in both directions, and never stops running. He has started 29 games and played 1,974 minutes for the club this season across all competitions. At 23, he is one of the better young right-backs in the Premier League.
He has 0 goals and 1 assist in 17 Premier League appearances this season. His defensive numbers are strong with solid tackle and interception counts every game. England’s national team is watching him closely. His €40 million value reflects a defender with a high ceiling.
Tino Livramento Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 17 | – | 1 | 1,328′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 5 | – | – | 308′ |
| FA Cup | 2 | – | – | 69′ |
| EFL Cup | 2 | – | – | 105′ |
| Total | 26 | – | 1 | 1,810′ |
8. Pedro Porro
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur
- Nationality: Spain
- Market Value: €40 million
Pedro Porro joined Tottenham and quickly became one of the most attack-minded right-backs in the Premier League. He delivers crosses, drives forward constantly, and contributes in both boxes every game. He has 8 goals and 16 assists in 89 career Premier League appearances for Spurs. That is a remarkable return for a defender.
He has 1 goal and 2 assists in 29 Premier League appearances this season. He has attempted 25 shots and earned 7 yellow cards showing how aggressive he is going forward. At 26, he is at the right age for a right-back. His €40 million value is well deserved for what he brings every week.
Pedro Porro Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 30 | 1 | 2 | 2,438′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 9 | 1 | 3 | 772′ |
| EFL Cup | 2 | – | – | 180′ |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | – | 1 | 90′ |
| FA Cup | 1 | – | – | 83′ |
| Total | 43 | 2 | 6 | 3,563′ |
7. Wesley
- Club: FC Barcelona
- Nationality: Brazil
- Market Value: €40 million
Wesley is 22 years old and Barcelona’s backup right-back behind Jules Koundé. He came through the academy and has been used regularly this season in rotation. He is athletic, comfortable on the ball, and fits perfectly into Barcelona’s high-press system. He is Brazil’s most promising young right-back.
He has contributed across La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League this season. At just 22 years old at one of the biggest clubs in the world, he is developing into a very reliable option. His €40 million value will rise significantly as he gets more regular starts.
Wesley Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 27 | 4 | 1 | 2,208′ |
| UEFA Europa League | 8 | – | – | 541′ |
| Italy Cup | 1 | – | 1 | 90′ |
| Total | 36 | 4 | 2 | 2,839′ |
6. Matheus Nunes
- Club: Manchester City
- Nationality: Portugal
- Market Value: €45 million
Matheus Nunes has adapted very well to the right-back role at Manchester City. He joined as a midfielder but Pep Guardiola deployed him at right-back and he delivered. He averages a 7.44 FotMob rating in the Premier League this season, one of the best of any right-back in England.
He has 1 goal and 4 assists in 2,267 minutes in the Premier League alone this season. He ranks highly for rating, assists, and minutes among right-backs in England. At 27 and valued at €45 million, he is one of the most reliable options in the Premier League at the position.
Matheus Nunes Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 30 | 1 | 7 | 2,267′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | – | – | 620′ |
| FA Cup | 5 | – | 1 | 200′ |
| EFL Cup | 3 | – | 1 | 130′ |
| TOTAL | 44 | 1 | 9 | 3,217′ |
5. Reece James
- Club: Chelsea FC
- Nationality: England
- Market Value: €60 million
Reece James is Chelsea’s captain and one of the best right-backs in the world when fully fit. He has suffered injuries over the last two seasons but this year he has stayed available and delivered. He has 2 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League alone this season, equalling his combined goal involvement from the previous three seasons.
He has played 1,896 minutes in the Premier League this season with 32 tackles won and 32 interceptions. He also added 2 assists in 8 Champions League appearances. At 26 and finally staying fit, he is showing exactly why he is valued at €60 million.
Reece James Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 27 | 2 | 5 | 1,896′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 8 | – | 2 | 564′ |
| FA Cup | 1 | – | – | 60′ |
| EFL Cup | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 36 | 2 | 7 | 2,520′ |
4. Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Club: Real Madrid
- Nationality: England
- Market Value: €65 million
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2025 from Liverpool. He is the most creative right-back in the history of English football. He is deployed as a hybrid midfielder-right-back at Real Madrid, giving him even more freedom to dictate play. He won La Liga with Real Madrid in his first season.
He has 0 goals and 4 assists in 28 appearances across all competitions this season. His role as a deep-lying playmaker at Madrid means assists are just one part of what he contributes. He controls tempo, breaks defensive lines with passes, and wins games in ways the stats do not always capture. His €65 million value is more than fair.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 17 | – | 4 | 907′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 9 | – | 1 | 630′ |
| Copa del Rey | – | – | – | – |
| Supercopa | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 26 | – | 5 | 1,537′ |
3. Jules Koundé
- Club: FC Barcelona
- Nationality: France
- Market Value: €65 million
Jules Koundé is one of the best defenders in the world. He is Barcelona’s first-choice right-back and has been outstanding this season. He has 3 goals and 4 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. He overtook Trent Alexander-Arnold in goal involvement among right-backs in La Liga earlier this season.
He is a key player for France at international level. He is fast, reads the game brilliantly, and is one of the best one-versus-one defenders in Europe. At 27, he is at the peak of his career. His €65 million value is fully justified for a defender of his quality.
Jules Koundé Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaLiga | 28 | 2 | 3 | 2,010′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 10 | 1 | 1 | 870′ |
| Copa del Rey | 5 | – | – | 420′ |
| Supercopa | 2 | – | – | 150′ |
| TOTAL | 45 | 3 | 4 | 3,450′ |
2. Jurriën Timber
- Club: Arsenal FC
- Nationality: Netherlands
- Market Value: €70 million
Jurriën Timber is Arsenal’s first-choice right-back and one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He averages a 7.26 FotMob rating in the Premier League this season. He scored twice and assisted once in a 5-0 win over Leeds United in August 2025. He neutralised Vinicius Junior in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final win over Real Madrid.
He has 3 goals and 5 assists in 30 Premier League appearances this season. He also contributed across 13 Champions League appearances. At 24, he is Netherlands’ most trusted right-back. His €70 million value is fully deserved for a player performing at this level every week.
Jurriën Timber Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 30 | 3 | 6 | 2,457′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 7 | 1 | 1 | 513′ |
| EFL Cup | 4 | – | – | 290′ |
| FA Cup | 2 | – | – | 49′ |
| Total | 43 | 4 | 7 | 3,309′ |
1. Achraf Hakimi
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Nationality: Morocco
- Market Value: €80 million
Achraf Hakimi is the best right-back in the world and it is not close. He is valued at €80 million by Transfermarkt, the highest of any right-back on the planet. He reaches a top speed of 34.18 km/h and covers 108.99 km in the Champions League alone this season. He has a passing accuracy of 89.1% and averages a scoring contribution of 0.42 per game.
He has 2 goals and 6 assists across all competitions this season for PSG and contributed 15 tackles and 37 balls recovered in just 11 Champions League games. He is Morocco’s most important player. At 27 and at the peak of his career, no right-back in world football combines pace, attacking output, and defensive quality like Hakimi does.
Achraf Hakimi Stats 2025/26 Season:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 1,374′ |
| UEFA Champions League | 11 | 1 | 6 | 945′ |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | – | – | 90′ |
| Coupe de France | – | – | – | – |
| Trophée des Champions | – | – | – | – |
| FIFA Intercontinental Cup | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 30 | 3 | 8 | 2,409′ |
