Just like their male counterparts, the role of a female right-back has evolved and grown over the last half a decade, with them having become an integral part of their sides both offensively and defensively.
As a result of which, the new and younger players emerging onto the scene are already rivalling the established right-backs for top honours and making them adapt to the new dynamics.
So without further ado, let’s dive into it and take a look at the top 10 right-backs in women’s football right now.
Also read: Top 10 female footballers in the world right now – Ranked
The top ten
#10 Natalie Kuikka
27 years old • Finland • Portland Thorns FC
After impressing for Swedish side Göteborg during her two-year spell there, 26-year-old Finland international Natalie Kuikka made the switch to US side Portland Thorns. In her two seasons with the Thorns, Kuikka has become an integral member of them, playing across the backline, but it is the right-back position where she truly excels.
A technically sound player who plays a big role in the Portland Thorns’ build-up play, Kuikka also has the grit and tenacity to drop back and win most of her duels. Her excellent performances contributed to Portland finishing first in the league standings last season as they won their second NWSL Shield, while they went a step further this time around and won the Playoffs, securing their third Playoff title.
#9 Laura Wienroither
23 years old • Austria • Arsenal Women
Following four impressive campaigns with German club Hoffenheim, 23-year-old Austrian fullback Laura Wienroither was signed by Arsenal as a direct competition for Noelle Maritz. Being a January signing with no pre-season behind her, Wienroither struggled to dislodge Maritz for the right-back role in the beginning as she just played for a total of 364 minutes across eight appearances.
However, sparkling performances for Austria in the Euros meant Wienroither’s stock skyrocketed, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs making inquiries about her. Arsenal held firm, however, and the 23-year-old is now a regular for the Gunners, having started seven of her sides’ nine FA Women’s Super League matches from right-back.
#8 Lynn Wilms
22 years old • The Netherlands • VfL Wolfsburg
Similar to Laura Wienroither, Lynn Wilms is another youngest who has struggled to hit the ground running after making the move to a bigger club; in this case, it’s VfL Wolfsburg.
Wilms was a part of current Wolfsburg manager Tommy Stroot’s FC Twente side, where she won two league titles in three seasons. However, the 22-year-old struggled for game-time last season, making only six starts in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
Similar to Wienroither, Wilms was one of the Netherlands’ best players at the 2022 Women’s Euros, despite them disappointedly bowing out of the competition in the Round of 16. Since then, Wilms has not only become an important player but also played every single minute for Wolfsburg in the Frauen-Bundesliga.
Also watch: Story behind Newcastle United’s black and white jersey
#7 Ève Périsset
28 years old • France • Chelsea Women
Ève Périsset had an outstanding campaign with French club Bordeaux during the 2021/22 season as she ended the campaign with three goals and five assists in eighteen Division 1 Féminine matches, attracting the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs with her contract running out.
In the end, it was Chelsea who secured her signature, with the 28-year-old being the perfect fit for Emma Hayes’ preferred style of play. Périsset also impressed for France at the Euros earlier this year as they made it to the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time.
#6 Giulia Gwinn
23 years old • Germany • FC Bayern Munich
The 23-year-old Germany international showed the world what she is capable of after producing exceptional performances throughout the Women’s Euros as Germany made it to the final; Gwinn even made it into the Team of the Tournament. Her performance in the final against England was arguably her finest, one that didn’t deserve to end up on the losing side.
Gwinn was one of the best fullbacks in the tournament, having been excellent for Bayern Munich in domestic and continental competitions as well. However, the young German is expected to miss out on a large chunk of 2023 after suffering her second ACL injury.
#5 Sofia Huerta
30 years old • The USA • OL Reign
Sofia Huerta has been around for a very long time. A versatile player who has played in almost every single position on offer, it is perhaps the right-back slot where her career has really flourished. With her previous clubs, the 30-year-old actively sought opportunities at the fullback slots in order to secure a place in the US senior women’s national team, but it has only been recently that she has been able to establish herself in the USWNT setup.
Sofia contributed with seven goal contributions last season, as OL Reign finished second in the NWSL league stage before losing to the Washington Spirit in the Playoff semi-finals. This year, OL Reign won the NWSL Shield by topping the league standings before getting knocked out again in the Playoff semi-finals by Kansas City Current.
#4 Ashley Lawrence
27 years old • Canada • Paris Saint-Germain Féminine
The 27-year-old Canada international has been considered one of the best right-backs in the world for some time now. Now entering her peak years, Lawrence’s performances for both club and country have been integral. She has been influential on both fronts, with her impressive passing range and defensive work rate making her a complete package.
Lawrence played an important role in Canada’s gold-medal-winning campaign at the Tokyo Olympics, while also being one of PSG’s most important players both domestically and continentally.
#3 Ellie Carpenter
22 years old • Australia • Olympique Lyonnais Féminin
When Ellie Carpenter signed for Lyon as a 20-year-old, she was considered one of the most highly-rated right-backs in the world. She made her international debut for Australia at the age of 15, while also becoming the youngest-ever women’s footballer to compete at the Olympics in Rio in 2016.
However, life can be cruel at times, and that was the case for Carpenter during the 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League final. In her biggest game of the season, she suffered an ACL injury 13 minutes into the game as Lyon went on to beat Barcelona and regain their UWCL crown.
As a result of her injury, Carpenter has missed out on the second half of 2022 altogether. However, before her setback, she was performing at a very high level for both club and country, and being only 22, there’s every chance she will hit newer heights once she resumes playing regularly.
#2 Ona Batlle
23 years old • Spain • Manchester United Women
Ona Batlle’s rise to stardom has been staggering considering she is only 23 years old. The Barcelona youth product had to leave the Blaugrana in order to get regular first-team action as she spent a few seasons with Real Madrid Femení and Levante Femení before joining the Red Devils in 2020/21.
The Spanish right-back, who is also capable of playing at left-back to an elite standard, has been outstanding for Manchester United over the last couple of seasons, topping some key metrics like progressive passes and tackles made over the last 12 months, exhibiting her all-round game both offensively and defensively. She was also named in the WSL Team of the Year last season.
#1 Lucy Bronze
31 years old • England • FC Barcelona Femení
If this list was prepared before the start of the 2022/23 season, I doubt Lucy Bronze would have even made it to the top half, let alone the top spot. Before the Women’s Euros this summer, there was a case to be made regarding her drop in form as well as friction between herself and the Man City head coach Gareth Taylor. The 31-year-old joined City in 2020 after spending three successful seasons with Lyon. However, following a productive first campaign, differences grew and it was certain that the former FIFA World Player of the Year would have to look for a new home before the start of this season.
Bronze dropped the first surprise bomb when she joined Barcelona before the Euros, and then went on to have a stellar campaign with England, particularly in the final where she restricted the Germans with her dogged defending. Since then, Bronze has been on a different level for the Blaugrana, making a difference both on and off the pitch.
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