In this article, we present to you our picks of the 10 best male fullbacks of 2024 that shone while plying their trade in Europe.
The role of the fullback in football has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade. Traditionally known for their defensive duties, modern fullbacks are now expected to contribute much more to their team’s attacking play. A modern fullback is not just a defender; they are dynamic, versatile players who make forward runs, deliver crosses, and provide key passes to the forwards. Finding a fullback who can balance these defensive and attacking responsibilities is akin to slotting in the final piece of the puzzle that completes the entire system.
European top leagues have been fortunate to witness the rise of world-class fullbacks who excel in both defensive and offensive aspects of the game. These players not only defend with precision and tackle opposition attackers, but they also have the ability to push forward, overlap with wingers, and whip in dangerous curling crosses into the box for strikers or centre-forwards.
The rankings below are based on following criteria:
- Performances, potential. and consistency
- Importance and relevance to his team
- Success or trophies won
The stats mentioned have been accumulated from Transfermarkt and Fbref.
10. Maximilian Mittelstadt | Germany | VfB Stuttgart
Maximilian Mittlest?dt plays as a left-back for VfB Stuttgart and has been sensational for Stuttgart since he joined the club in 2023. The 2023/24 season was his breakthrough season that also saw him included in the Germany squad for the Euros where he featured in a few games as well. In 2023/24, his strong performances helped Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League for the 2024/25 season. He has already bagged 1 goal and 4 assists in 15 games for Stuttgart in the 2024/25 season so far.
Mittlest?dt is in the 89th percentile for successful dribbles for a full-back. Along with excellent dribbling skills, he has a decent left foot that helps in picking passes from open play and set-pieces. He is a more attack minded player that likes to go forward but his defensive skills are equally strong and he has a tackle-rate of 3.14 per 90 minutes, Interception rate of 1.22 per 90 minutes and Blocks of 1.31 per 90 minutes in the current season landing him in the top pile of high performing full-backs in Europe.
Mittlest?dt is a vital cog in Sebastien Hoeneß’s Stuttgart and has been one of the best full-backs in Europe in 2024. Along with Stuttgart, he might have also solved Germany’s problem of finding a consistent and top class left-back as he suits their playing style as well.
9. Federico Dimarco | Italy | FC Internazionale Milano
Federico Dimarco has been one of the standout players in the recent success of Inter Milan. Dimarco plays as a left wing-back or left-back for Inter. He is a product of Inter’s youth academy who has grown through the ranks to become one of the top fullbacks in European football.
Dimarco had an incredible 2023/24 season where he scored 6 goals and grabbed 8 assists in 40 games and has continued his top form in the 2024/25 season with 3 goals and 5 assists in 22 games so far. Defensively he might be a bit susceptible but he more than makes up for it with his attacking prowess.
He has been an important creative outlet for Inter and his ability to play as a wing-back has also helped them switch formations according to the opposition team. Dimarco is a left footed defender known more for his pace, dribbling, crossing, an eye for goal and very dangerous from outside the box. He has exceptional technical skills and strength that enable him to help his team both in offense and defence.
Even though the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have shown interest in the Italian full-back, he has no intention of leaving the Nerazzurri and continues to be vital to Simon Inzaghi’s plans for the future.
8. Theo Hernández | France | AC Milan
Theo Hernández has been one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe and has been consistent for both club and country. Playing at left-back for both AC Milan and France, the French full-back has been incredible and highly consistent. He has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise drab AC Milan side. Hernández has also been one of the regular starters for the France National Team since he got his first call-up in 2018.
He had 5 goals and 11 assists in 46 games in 2023/24 for his club and so far in 2024/25, he has 3 goals and 3 assists to his name in 22 games. His attacking ability is insane but he contributes defensively as well and gets in important tackles and interceptions often breaking up the opposition play.
Hernández is known for his pace, dribbling and goal scoring ability. He is also good on aerial duels and progressive passing. The French fullback is a very dangerous opponent going forward and even though he can improve on his defensive ability, he still puts in a lot of effort of defend.
Another example of a modern-day fullback that contributes immensely to attack rather than just defence, it’s players like Hernández who are transforming football and the expectations around full-backs who are not just expected to stay back and defend stoutly but also become ball carriers, create scoring chances and also score important goals for their team.
7. Pedro Porro | Spain | Tottenham Hotspur FC
Since arriving in England from Sporting CP in January 2023, Pedro Porro has been an instant hit in the Premier League ending up as the top scoring full-back in the 2023/24 season. Porro had a stellar season for Spurs and he has since then grabbed eyeballs from clubs all over Europe.
Porro had 4 goals and 7 assists in 37 games for Spurs in the 2023/24 season and has 2 goals and 5 assists in 2024/25 even though Spurs have been struggling. In addition to his offensive strengths, he is also brilliant defensively. He has a tackle-rate of 1.17 per 90 minutes, 1.63 blocks per 90 minutes and clearance-rate of 3.04 per 90 minutes this season which is excellent from a defensive perspective.
Porro is known for his passing, tackling ability and set-piece delivery. He ranks very highly on the progressive passes per 90 minutes. He is also very good in tackling and his crosses from corners and free-kicks have often resulted in goals for his team. He has also been deployed as a right wing-back or right side of the midfield sometimes by Ange Postecoglou in his Spurs lineup.
Porro has shined in this otherwise struggling Spurs side and it may be a matter of time that he might leave North London for a European elite if his consistent performances continue to grab the limelight in the current season.
6. Joshua Kimmich | Germany | FC Bayern Munich
Joshua Kimmich has been one of the most important players for Bayern Munich and Germany in the past many seasons. He has been one of the most consistent and complete fullbacks in world football, also being one of the stalwarts in Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominating outfit.
Kimmich plays as a right-back for the Bavarians and has excelled in the position season after season. However, he is really versatile and has also been deployed in the midfield for the German giants. He had 2 goals and 10 assists in 2023/24 for Bayern Munich and continuing his imperious form in 2024/25, he has 1 goal and 5 assists already from 24 games. His progressive passing is in the 98 percentile and he is brilliant at regaining possession from deeper areas, however his defensive numbers haven’t been that impressive in the past year.
Kimmich is more of an attack minded fullback who can move forward with the ball, create crosses and passes for his teammates and also score goals. He has great vision and ability, thereby can also be played as a deep lying defensive midfielder. He has excellent accuracy on crosses and long-range passes and has been a great servant to Bayern Munich in the past decade.
With his contract ending in the coming summer, the 29-year-old has many European elite clubs like Liverpool and Barcelona keeping an eye out for his services but Bayern Munich might not want to part ways with one of their main men.
5. Joško Gvardiol | Croatia | Manchester City FC
Joško Gvardiol first came to international prominence with his exceptional performances for Croatia during the 2022 World Cup. His displays at the tournament showcased his defensive prowess, earning him widespread recognition. This ultimately led to Manchester City securing his services in the summer of 2023. Since his arrival at the club, he has been deployed mostly as a left-back by Pep Guardiola and even though he is traditionally a left-footed centre-back, he has excelled on the left side of the defensive backline for the Cityzens.
Gvardiol was crucial for Manchester City winning the Premier League title and also scored massive goals which ensured City went deep in the Champions League. In 2023/24, he had 5 goals and 3 assists in 46 games and even though City have struggled to find any rhythm this season, he has still popped up with 4 important goals in 2024/25. In addition to his attacking ability, he is a very strong defender who can break up opposition play and his aerial ability is second to none. He has an interception-rate of 1.07 per 90 minutes and blocks of 1.32 per 90 minutes. His aerial duel lies in the 91 percentiles amongst all defenders in Europe.
Gvardiol is a highly talented young hybrid ball-playing center-back/left-back, regarded as one of the best in Europe. Manchester City’s significant investment in the Croatian has proven to be excellent business, with Gvardiol’s versatility offering Pep Guardiola many tactical options. At just 22 years old, he has yet to reach his peak and is expected to continue improving.
4. Jeremie Frimpong | Netherlands | Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Jeremie Frimpong had a world-class season with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023/24 helping his side win two domestic titles and reaching the finals of the Europa League, losing only one game all season. He plays as a right-back or right wing-back for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
His incredible 2023/24 season had 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 games for Leverkusen. It wasn’t a one-off though as he continues to put up great numbers in the 2024/25 season with 2 goals and 8 assists in 24 games so far.
Since he plays more often as a wing-back which is a combination of a winger and a full-back in a 3-5-2 formation at Leverkusen, he is mostly expected to offer width on the right flank and provide more in attack than in defense, hence his attacking numbers far outweigh his defensive capabilities. Frimpong has a great combination of speed, dribbling, he can maneuver through tight spaces and provide pin point crosses in the box. His speed enables him to switch from defence to offense and start counter attacking moves.
The Dutch full-back has been one of the best attacking wing-backs in Europe last season and it won’t be easy for Leverkusen to hold on to him when the big clubs come calling.
3. Achraf Hakimi | Morocco | Paris Saint-Germain FC
The former Real Madrid academy talent, Achraf Hakimi has been one of PSG’s star players even when the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Neymar Jr. were at the club. Hakimi plays as a right-back for PSG and Morocco and has arguably grown into one of the best right-backs in the world in the past few seasons.
Hakimi contributed 5 goals and 7 assists in 40 games in 2023/24 with PSG retaining their Ligue 1 title. He has continued to impress with 3 goals and 7 assists in 22 games so far this season. He is another modern-day fullback who is more attack minded but equally adept in defense.
Hakimi is a versatile and dynamic player who can play right full back or wing-back as well. He is fast, superb in 1v1 situations and can spray long accurate passes from deeper areas of the pitch. He was initially trained as a winger but can also play as a centre-back due to his strong physical presence.
Hakimi has been vital for PSG as both an attacking option and a defensive presence which has enabled the Parisian side to dominate the French league. Such has been his form that the likes of Real Madrid have taken a massive interest in bringing him back to the Bernabeu.
2. Dani Carvajal | Spain | Real Madrid CF
Dani Carvajal had the most incredible year in 2024, winning every trophy possible with both club and country. While in previous seasons, he didn’t really perform that well to earn credit for his club’s success, the last year he has been mighty impressive and deserves all the accolades coming his way.
He had a stellar 2023/24 season where he scored 6 goals and bagged 5 assists for his club contributing to Real Madrid’s successful treble season. He also captained Spain to the Euros Championships trophy. His defensive numbers also rank higher than most fullbacks. However, he suffered a season-ending injury, 10 games into the 2024/25 season but his performances in the 2023/24 season warrants him a Top 2 place in this list.
Carvajal is another aggressive full-back with great technical skills and work-rate. He is a tenacious and a tactically intelligent player defensively he is known for his positioning, mentality, tackling, anticipation, and ability to intercept loose balls. Going forward, he is good at crossing and is a great aerial threat heading from corners.
The Real Madrid veteran may be approaching his twilight years but he is still regarded as an important player by Carlo Ancelotti and his teammates and his unavailability both as a player and a leader has hampered Real Madrid’s season so far.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold | England | Liverpool FC
Trent Alexander-Arnold is without a doubt, the best attacking full-back in the world right now. The Liverpool right-back has shown ridiculous creative prowess since he was promoted from the Liverpool academy to the first team by former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Alexander-Arnold is already the highest assisting defender in the Premier League with a whopping 62 assists. His creative output is on par of that of a creative midfielder. In 2023/24, he had 3 goals and 9 assists and has 1 goal and 5 assists to his name so far in the 2024/25 season. However, his relevance to this Liverpool side goes beyond these numbers.
Trent is a very attack minded fullback who has great vision and awareness. His passing range is second to none. He can spray accurate long-range cross field balls to switch play in a matter of seconds, he can play line breaking passes over defenders, is superb on crosses as well as set-pieces. He has a wand of a right-foot that has scored powerful long-range screamers. Also, he is versatile enough to be deployed as a wing-back or a right sided midfielder. Much maligned for his defensive frailties over the past few years, this season his defensive numbers have massively improved with his tackles, blocks and interceptions lying in the 75 percentiles in Europe which is far better than other attack minded fullbacks in Europe.
He is a world-class talent and has won every possible club trophy with Liverpool. There have been major links with a move to Real Madrid but considering his importance to this Liverpool side, the Reds will be reluctant to part ways with one of their most prized assets.
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