As the season begins to slowly ramp up and tables have begun to shape up across the continent of Europe. The best players are setting themselves ahead of the pack and making a name as the best in class. This article will be reviewing the ten best right backs as of February 2026.
10. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Once regarded as the cream of the crop, Trent has been a highly coveted asset for his passing acumen and ability to invert, but now he has fallen away, form wise. On the path of greatness at Liverpool, but diverted to Madrid, he has struggled to get into the starting XI on a consistent basis for one reason or another. The fact of the matter is, that at his best, he is one of the best passers of the ball in the game even still, and despite his poor appearance count at Real Madrid, he is a top quality player in a darker spell of his career at the moment.
9. Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Consistent winner Di Lorenzo warrants a spot on this list after multiple league titles won with Napoli, being a relentless figure at the club, seeing Italy to an impressive Euros win against the odds and retaining his spot for club and country to this day. As a leader in the backline, he has proven to be able to go forward and hold it down depending on the task at hand, despite being near the twilight of his career. His peak years may be behind him, but he still puts in a shift in weekly for Napoli when fit.
8. Ben White
While underutilized as of late, Ben White is an outstanding footballer and professional. He’s proven to be able to participate in a title race with Arsenal as a penciled-in starter and also as a reliable squad player. With his own nation of England consistently hounding for his participation, it is evident his reputation is clear. His crossing of the ball is outstanding and with his being able to overlap and dart down the wing, he is able to cause havoc in tandem with the right winger of choice at Arsenal. Rumors of his departure are merely due to his undeniable quality and the fact that a player as good as him might just have to be starting on a consistent basis.
7. Jeremie Frimpong
Unbeaten Bundesliga winner wasn’t enough for the Dutch wingback as he made a move to Liverpool this season. He slowly integrated himself into Liverpool and likely has more to do to get back to his levels that were shown in Germany, but he certainly has the ability to perform at a world class level on a week-by-week basis. A poor run of form and unimpressive summer signings for Liverpool have stifled his current position in this ranking, but it is sure that once he gets more minutes, he will be a outstanding player as it is known he can be. With only 6 starts in the Premier League, we’ve yet to see what he truly can do, but his quick pace and endurance, he has what it takes to get back to his best.
6. Reece James
This position, may be protested by the most stalwart of Chelsea supporters, but it seems Reece James has left behind his starting position at right back. He seems to be a stopgap player for Chelsea, playing in right back, center back and midfield roles in his last few seasons. He often leaves his position to play in an inverted role, and often (when fit) starts in midfield to accommodate for Malo Gusto. While his set piece delivery is commendable, his availability is not ideal, as he often sits out important games in which a player above his class would simply be a shoe-in such as the second leg of the Carabao Cup in which he was rested for the Wolves match in the next few days. There’s no clear standout to his game, but he does start when he can for Chelsea, who are performing to their best ability in their Champions League qualification battle and is a captain when playing, which does display a level of leadership.
5. Daniel Muñoz
One of the best wingbacks there is in the world, Daniel Muñoz has proven irreplaceable for club and country. His absence this season with injury, while not only rare, shook the club massively. He was voted Crystal Palace’s player of the season in the 24/25 campaign for a reason, as he was as pivotal then for their FA Cup run as he is now, in European competition and in the league. He has the ability to create chances on a consistent basis in his wingback role, dominating the right hand side, often being a driving force in Palace’s goal creation. He is likely due a bigger move and has shown how he can make impacts going forward and at the back.
4. Jules Koundé
Koundé may not be at his best, but he is still a top class fullback for Barcelona. His peak year of the 24/25 season was outstanding, as he was able to control the backline with his 3 other partners and also scored huge goals for the club in their trophy winning period. This season, he has lost a bit of that attacking output, but is still a big presence for the team and a clear starter in defense. Koundé is one of many uncertain players for Barcelona this year, but his ability cannot be denied, and it would not be shocking if this was a rare bad patch for a world class player who has already demonstrated his class, even this year, already winning silverware with the Catalan club.
3. Denzel Dumfries
Dumfries is a quality wingback, being a long-standing transfer target in the rumor mill for many top clubs in Europe. Unfortunately his injury sustained in November has been unfortunate for him and his club of Inter Milan, but he is a mainstay in the team that just made the Champions League final last season, all thanks to his wonderful brace against Barcelona in the first leg. He could arguably be one of the most important players for club and country as he is the leader on the right hand side, being physical and quick in defense and unpredictable and precise in attack. His return will strike fear into teams across Europe as he returns to his best that we all know he is capable of.
2. Jurriën Timber
Jurriën Timber revolutionized Arsenal when he joined the club. Injured in his first month at the club was not on his bucket list, but when he returned the following year he became an immediate starter at the Premier League side. He and Bukayo Saka formed a devastating duo on the right and overlapped to demolish sides like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and so on since then. He has had a few shaky performances in the past weeks, but it is hardly anything to dissuade viewers who have seen what he can do. He has been part of the refresh to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and a key member in their transformation into an elite participant in Europe and in the domestic league, likely foaming at the mouth to gain silverware as soon as possible.
1. Achraf Hakimi
The world’s best right back by a tight but objective margin. He won everything of value last season, scoring pivotal goals, tearing past the worlds best left sides and revolutionizing Paris Saint-Germain. Not only is he a club leader, but a huge presence for Morocco, taking them to a World Cup Semifinal and most recently, the African Cup of Nations final on home soil. Hakimi’s pace is a weapon used frequently, when he fluidly interchanges with the right winger to make a chance. The free-thinking, goal-scoring nature of PSG this year and last year is all due to his excellence and consistent availability. He has very few errors in his game, as PSG have been able to dismantle sides while scoring game-defining goals. It would be very difficult to see any player dethrone Hakimi as the world’s best right-sided defender and it wouldn’t be shocking if he maintains these levels for many years to come, as he is only 27 years of age.