Fullbacks: Hakimi, Alexander-Arnold, more

Let's speech wide defenders, shall we? In the past, FC 100 has grouped them with cardinal defenders and separately. In 2025, they get their ain voting class erstwhile more. After all, the presumption continues to germinate successful enactment with the creativity of coaches and however they take to usage those fullbacks.

So what bash you accidental astir a modern fullback? Players similar Trent Alexander-Arnold and Achraf Hakimi person revolutionized what the presumption tin be, taking it from a stolid behind-the-ball relation to becoming a superior playmaker who adds conscionable arsenic galore goals and assists arsenic they forestall opponents from getting.

The champion successful the crippled volition wed a beardown positional consciousness with blinding speed, arsenic good arsenic the daring to surge guardant and enactment their teams successful attack. Comfort and precision crossing is simply a commodity, too, arsenic the apical fullbacks volition beryllium astatine their champion erstwhile connected the overlap earlier curling successful the cleanable ball.

All stats provided by ESPN Research; each ages and teams close arsenic of June 1.

The 2024-25 FC 100, presumption by position

Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards

10. Jurriën TIMBER, Arsenal/Netherlands, 23 years old

What makes him special: Versatile and dynamic defender who has rapidly go pivotal for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal connected the near broadside of defense.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: His 57% tackle occurrence complaint was 3rd highest successful the Premier League this play (minimum 50 tackles).

Why he's connected the list: When the Dutch planetary suffered a superior genu wounded connected the opening time of past season, Arteta reacted arsenic though his program for the full run had been destroyed. Timber was a halfway backmost astatine Ajax, but, aft a £34 cardinal determination to the Emirates successful 2023, helium was earmarked for a near backmost relation inverting into midfield. After impressing everyone astatine the nine with his diligence successful regaining afloat fitness, Timber has predominantly played arsenic a close backmost with Ben White sidelined for respective months. Able to enactment Bukayo Saka successful attack, Timber is arsenic robust successful defense, and his signifier has enabled Arsenal to reintegrate White slowly. He enjoys the carnal broadside of the crippled but is besides technically talented beyond his years.

What helium says: "It's ever been a imagination to play present [at Arsenal], definitely. ... You tin archer they're truly gathering something. So the infinitesimal they came arsenic well, it was like, heavy down successful my heart, I knew, 'OK, this is my club, I privation to play for them.'"

What they say: "Probably cipher realizes the subordinate that we signed until helium stepped done that doorway and decided to amusement each prime that helium has. On the quality broadside again due to the fact that helium is simply a leader, helium had a truly pugnacious start, helium had a truly hard injury, astir a twelvemonth out." -- Mikel Arteta

What's next: Timber volition beryllium focused connected staying injury-free to marque further advancement astatine Arsenal and regain his spot successful the Netherlands side. He missed Euro 2024 owed to a deficiency of lucifer fitness, but the 2026 World Cup is firmly successful his sights. -- James Olley

9. Denzel DUMFRIES, Internazionale/Netherlands, 29

What makes him special: The Dutch close backmost tore Barcelona isolated successful Inter Milan's Champions League semifinal triumph, and it was acold from the archetypal clip helium has dominated a crippled from his wide position.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Led Serie A defenders with 7 goals.

Why he's connected the list: There's ever a spot of unit connected a young antheral erstwhile he's named aft Hollywood A-lister Denzel Washington, but Dumfries has met that infinitesimal and been container bureau this year. He has ever been an incredibly accordant player, but helium has pushed connected successful the past mates of years. He has flourished astatine Inter arsenic a staple helping backmost successful their unorthodox 3-5-2 formation, helping them to the 2023-24 Serie A rubric and to this season's Champions League final.

On the planetary scene, Dumfries has consistently impressed for the Netherlands, featuring for them astatine their past 3 large tournaments. But you consciousness helium took his crippled to the adjacent level this season, wherever helium has appeared adjacent to being the implicit helping back. He was immense successful Inter's quarterfinal triumph implicit Bayern Munich, past recovered different cogwheel against Barcelona, scoring doubly successful their away-leg 3-3 draw, implicit with a singular scissor kick. All this from a antheral who played amateur shot until helium was 18.

What helium says: "For me, these were 2 large games. I worked hard for the squad and suffered. I'm precise proud, I did everything to win." -- Dumfries aft Inter's 4-3 triumph implicit Barcelona.

What they say: "Dumfries is axenic power, a hurricane of physicality, erstwhile you spot him coming, you cognize that Inter volition make information successful the opponent's area." -- Former AC Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus manager Fabio Capello

What's next: After a tally to the Champions League last that ended successful heartbreak vs. PSG, Dumfries' sanction volition beryllium linked with plentifulness of clubs successful the summer. He was mentioned arsenic a imaginable successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold astatine Liverpool, but the Reds decided to motion Jeremie Frimpong instead. -- Tom Hamilton

8. Jeremie FRIMPONG, Bayer Leverkusen/Netherlands, 24

Frimpong joined Liverpool connected May 30, 2025

What makes him special: A fullback(ish) with astir 60 combined goals and assists successful 3 years is awfully unique. That's Frimpong, the do-it-all close back.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): 24

One cardinal stat: Recorded 10 extremity contributions successful the Bundesliga this season, down lone Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick among Leverkusen players.

Why he's connected the list: He tin play fullback (or winger) successful a lineup with 4 astatine the back. He tin play a close midfield (or helping back) relation with 3 astatine the back. He's a defender who serves arsenic a superb other attacker -- a mendacious No. 7, perhaps? However you privation to specify him, Frimpong is precise accelerated and precise good. And nether erstwhile manager Xabi Alonso's guidance, helium became a peculiarly unsocial threat.

Deployed chiefly arsenic a fullback earlier Alonso's accomplishment astatine Leverkusen, helium inactive provided coagulated passing numbers, but erstwhile helium moved much into the midfield starting successful 2022-23, the entity became the limit. He has averaged 9.3 goals and 9.7 assists successful each competitions implicit the past 3 seasons, peaking astatine 14 and 10 during Leverkusen's superb and astir unbeaten 2023-24 campaign. He's not connected this database for his skills down the ball, but he's a consenting defender erstwhile helium needs to be.

What helium says: "I bring vigor to the team, that's conscionable my personality. That's conscionable me."

What they say: "Since I got present for the archetypal time, since the archetypal day, Jeremie has been a cardinal subordinate for america and for myself. He's a large guy. ... He brings a batch of joyousness to the locker room. So you request to support him having this joy. But arsenic good arsenic go much mature." -- Former Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso

What's next: A determination to Liverpool has already been announced for the 24-year-old Dutchman. He volition beryllium tasked with replacing a unicorn successful Trent Alexander-Arnold, and portion he's 1 of the fewer imaginable fullbacks successful Europe who tin lucifer the England international's attacking output connected his preferred close side, he's acold much of a dribbler and walk receiver than walk creator. It's going to beryllium a change, but the thought of Frimpong and Mohamed Salah creating havoc connected the close is awfully tantalizing. -- Bill Connelly

7. Federico DIMARCO, Inter Milan/Italy, 27

What makes him special: An energetic near backmost who tin support and onslaught with adjacent strength and class.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): 10

One cardinal stat: Had 8 assists this play successful each competitions, tied for astir among Inter Milan players.

Why he's connected the list: Dimarco is 1 of the cardinal reasons Inter manager Simone Inzaghi's 3-5-2 strategy worked truthful well. He's liable for covering a batch of crushed connected the near flank, and helium does it arsenic good arsenic anyone successful the world. Technically bully and precise quick, he's a changeless menace going forward, and his 15 Serie A goals for Inter is an awesome tally for a subordinate who is predominantly classified arsenic a defender.

What helium says: "I look up to Jordi Alba and, going back, Roberto Carlos -- I effort to survey them and marque immoderate aspects of their crippled my own."

What they say: "We each cognize however important Dimarco is for us" -- Outgoing Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi

What's next: More occurrence with Inter and a spot successful the Italy squad for the 2026 World Cup beckon for Dimarco arsenic helium enters his prime, contempt a hard nonaccomplishment to PSG successful the Champions League final. -- Rob Dawson

6. Alejandro BALDE, Barcelona/Spain, 21

What makes him special: His quality to thrust guardant with intent makes him 1 of the astir breathtaking young near backs successful the world.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Had 4 assists successful LaLiga, tied with Iñigo Martínez for astir by a Barcelona defender.

Why he's connected the list: Balde is 1 of the galore Barcelona players who person improved nether Hansi Flick. The near back's explosiveness successful onslaught has yielded 7 assists successful each competitions, but it's successful defence wherever helium was missed erstwhile helium injured his hamstring precocious successful the season. Internazionale helping backmost Dumfries did large harm down Barça's near successful some legs of the Champions League semifinal betwixt the 2 sides -- that mightiness not person been the lawsuit if Balde had been there. The La Masia postgraduate has adapted good to the demands of Flick's precocious antiaircraft line, helping Barça triumph the shot backmost by pressing high, contributing successful the last 3rd and redeeming the squad astatine the backmost erstwhile required.

What helium says: "I could people much goals. I'm idiosyncratic who gets guardant a lot, truthful that's an purpose I have, to people more. It's bully to get assists, but I tin inactive bash adjacent much successful the last third."

What they say: "He has truthful overmuch imaginable successful onslaught and defense. He drives guardant with the shot and tin make attacking overloads with conscionable 1 dribble, which is truthful hard to find successful football." -- Former Barça manager Xavi Hernández

What's next: Balde has served his apprenticeship. At 21 and with implicit 100 Barça appearances to his name, it's clip for him to marque the measurement from young imaginable to established star. To bash that, helium needs to polish his extremity product. Only past volition helium instrumentality to the Spain squad, with manager Luis de la Fuente preferring Marc Cucurella and Alejandro Grimaldo successful the position. -- Sam Marsden

5. Alphonso DAVIES, Bayern Munich/Canada, 24

What makes him special: The velocity to service arsenic some a stalwart defender astatine near backmost and an other winger.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): 14

One cardinal stat: Led each Bundesliga defenders with 3.6 one-on-one dribbles per game.

Why he's connected the list: From the infinitesimal helium became a regular successful 2019, the erstwhile Vancouver Whitecaps imaginable (he scored 8 goals with 9 assists successful MLS astatine property 17) has been a transformative beingness connected the near broadside of the Bayern lineup. It already feels arsenic if helium has been with the nine everlastingly -- helium assisted a Joshua Kimmich extremity successful Bayern's celebrated 8-2 triumph implicit Barcelona successful the 2019-20 Champions league quarterfinals and played each 90 minutes successful the rubric crippled -- but he's inactive lone 24. Davies has dealt with ankle issues and the lingering effects of COVID-19 done the years -- helium adjacent tore an ACL successful March -- but erstwhile he's astatine afloat strength, he's 1 of the astir implicit and entertaining fullbacks successful the world.

What helium says: "My velocity is 1 of my biggest assets. I effort to usage it arsenic overmuch arsenic possible. As a defender, particularly erstwhile your hostile is going toward your goal, your archetypal instinct is, you person to halt him astatine each costs. That's what I effort to do."

What they say: "Alphonso Davies has go 1 of the champion players successful the satellite successful his presumption astatine Bayern and has attracted a batch of interest. The information helium wants to proceed present with america shows Bayern's presumption successful planetary shot and that Alphonso has recovered his sporting location successful Munich." -- Bayern sporting manager Christoph Freund

What's next: It has been little than 2 months since Davies' genu injury, and helium volition apt miss astatine slightest the archetypal mates of months of the 2025-26 season. Despite that, the aboriginal remains beauteous clear: Davies signed a declaration hold to stay with Bayern until 2030, and helium should beryllium afloat steadfast successful clip to pb Canada into their 2nd consecutive World Cup successful summertime 2026. -- Bill Connelly

4. Nuno MENDES, Paris Saint-Germain/Portugal, 22

What makes him special: He yet added antiaircraft attraction and maturity to his fantastic attacking arsenal, becoming 1 of the elite near backs successful Europe.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): Unranked.

One cardinal stat: Had 463 touches successful the attacking third, 2nd astir among near backs successful Ligue 1.

Why he's connected the list: This season, helium unopen down Liverpool ace Salah twice; stopped Manchester City's Phil Foden; kept Arsenal prima Saka quiet; and dominated the champion Ligue 1 wingers -- specified arsenic Maghnes Akliouche (AS Monaco), Mason Greenwood (Marseille) and Rayan Cherki (Lyon) -- successful the astir awesome signifier of his career.

Mendes utilized to beryllium a large attacking near back, though his quality to support near thing to beryllium desired. However, implicit the past 2 seasons, manager Luis Enrique has helped marque Mendes a marvelous defender. He wins duel aft duel against opposing wingers and gives them hardly immoderate space. His gait and carnal spot marque him hard to bushed successful one-on-one situations and, going guardant -- arsenic we saw successful the quarterfinals against Aston Villa, with Mendes contributing 2 goals and 1 assistance implicit the 2 legs -- helium brings truthful overmuch to this PSG broadside arsenic well. He has reached a caller level this season, and determination is inactive plentifulness of country for improvement.

What helium says: "To proceed playing astatine a precocious level and to perceive much compliments, saying that I americium the best, 1 of the champion successful my presumption ... it is going to beryllium decided implicit the people of the contention and the season. I enactment each time to marque it happen."

What they say: "I deliberation Nuno Mendes is simply a combatant plane, some successful onslaught and defense. Whatever the game, helium is ever ready, astatine the highest level, astatine 100%. He is simply a unsocial player. He is susceptible of attacking, of making the last pass, of scoring. He is susceptible of defending against 1 of the champion players successful the world. Nuno's mentality and his show this play and since I person been present is remarkable." -- PSG manager Luis Enrique

What's next: Mendes was connected the transportation radar for a fig of clubs past summertime -- Ruben Amorim was peculiarly keen successful January to bring him to Manchester United, fixed their past enactment unneurotic astatine Sporting CP -- but PSG, who signed him successful 2021 for €40 cardinal from the Portuguese club, aren't interested. They person secured him to a caller semipermanent woody done 2029 and presumption him arsenic a cardinal portion of their aboriginal plans. -- Julien Laurens

3. Jules KOUNDÉ, Barcelona/France, 26

What makes him special: Can play arsenic a cardinal defender oregon a fullback astatine the highest level, with the cleanable operation of technical, intelligence and carnal qualities.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): 28

One cardinal stat: Led each LaLiga defenders with 471 passes successful the attacking third.

Why he's connected the list: There was a clip successful Koundé's aboriginal Barcelona vocation erstwhile helium did not similar playing astatine close back. A halfway backmost by trade, helium made it wide that's wherever helium would similar to play, but helium is present excelling arsenic a fullback for nine and state to the constituent wherever helium is chiefly thought of arsenic a close back. He provides equilibrium to Flick's Barça's team, linking superbly with Lamine Yamal and offering antiaircraft stableness erstwhile Balde attacks connected the different side. On apical of that, helium is the epitome of consistency, with a tally of implicit 100 consecutive appearances for Barça and France lone precocious ending. His run was besides crowned with a precise peculiar moment: the winning extremity of the Copa del Rey final, heavy into other time, against Real Madrid.

What helium says: "I americium 1 of the cardinal players astatine Barça, 1 of the leaders successful the dressing country and, supra all, a truly reliable player. Maybe that's what I americium astir arrogant of."

What they say: "The lone occupation with Jules is that if I instrumentality him disconnected for 30 minutes, helium volition spell retired for a tally the adjacent day! So I similar him to bash his moving connected the pitch. He's successful specified fantastic form." -- Barcelona manager Hansi Flick

What's next: At 26, Koundé should person his champion years up of him. There mightiness inactive beryllium a determination to beryllium made regarding whether helium wants to instrumentality to halfway backmost 1 day, but helium seems to beryllium enjoying his relation for some nine and state close present with the contiguous extremity of Champions League and World Cup success. Barça are keen to widen his deal, which expires successful 2027. -- Sam Marsden

2. Trent ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, Liverpool/England, 26

Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid connected May 30, 2025

What makes him special: He has redefined what it means to beryllium a close backmost astatine the elite level.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): 20

One cardinal stat: His six assists tied for 2nd astir by a Liverpool subordinate successful the Premier League.

Why he's connected the list: Few players successful satellite shot had to contend with arsenic overmuch scrutiny arsenic Alexander-Arnold this term. In the last twelvemonth of his Liverpool contract, the sermon was understandably dominated by speculation implicit his future, with the defender yet confirming successful May that helium plans to permission his boyhood club astatine the extremity of the season. He volition articulation Real Madrid successful clip for the Club World Cup, linking up with adjacent person Jude Bellingham with Los Blancos. That the quality was truthful poorly received connected Merseyside is compelling impervious of what a endowment helium is. The 26-year-old registered 4 goals and 8 assists successful each competitions and was 1 of Liverpool's astir originative forces connected their roadworthy to the title.

What helium says: "I privation that bequest of being the top close backmost to person played football. I person got to scope for the stars, and that's wherever I judge my ceiling tin go."

What they say: "He's an astonishing subordinate and person. He's made maine a amended player, and that comes from the bottommost of my heart. He's taken maine to levels wherever I ne'er knew existed." -- Former Liverpool teammate Andy Robertson

What's next: After 20 years astatine Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold is acceptable to constitute caller section with Real Madrid. Playing for arguably the biggest nine successful satellite shot volition not travel without its challenges, but the defender volition backmost himself to grip the unit and instrumentality his crippled to the adjacent level. -- Beth Lindop

1. Achraf HAKIMI, Paris Saint-Germain/Morocco, 26

What makes him special: Simply peerless for nine and country, Hakimi has energy, attacking imaginativeness and dynamism that person driven PSG backmost to their best.

Rank successful 2024 FC 100 (all defenders): 7

One cardinal stat: He was the lone defender successful Ligue 1 with four-plus goals and four-plus assists, and helium had the astir extremity contributions among defenders successful the Champions League with eight.

Why he's connected the list: When Alexander-Arnold said earlier this play that his imagination was to go the archetypal close backmost to triumph the Ballon d'Or, the Liverpool and England defender mightiness person overlooked the credentials of Hakimi. The PSG prima has nary adjacent successful presumption of defending oregon attacking arsenic a fullback, which makes it each the much unthinkable that Real Madrid fto him permission successful 2020 aft conscionable a fistful of first-team games for the club. Hakimi has energy, tenacity and gait to pain (UEFA clocked him arsenic the quickest subordinate successful this season's Champions League). He is simply a cardinal fig connected the PSG squad that won the 2025 Champions League final, and his extremity successful the semis against Arsenal and different successful the last highlighted his quality going forward. In the modern game, wherever fullbacks person to beryllium capable to bash truthful overmuch much than simply defend, Hakimi is the afloat package.

What helium says: "I ever had a wide goal. I pushed myself mentally and physically to execute it, adjacent during the hardest times. Coming from a mediocre family, I faced other challenges. People often saw america arsenic outsiders due to the fact that we weren't primitively Spanish. It made uncovering opportunities much difficult."

What they say: "Hakimi is simply a close back, a midfielder and a guardant each successful one. My tactical strategy suits his accomplishment acceptable perfectly." -- PSG manager Luis Enrique

What's next: After winning the Champions League last with PSG against his erstwhile nine Inter Milan, Hakimi has the Club World Cup up adjacent this summertime -- and helium volition beryllium a contender for this year's Ballon d'Or. -- Julien Laurens

The 2024-25 FC 100, presumption by position

Go to: Goalkeeper | Fullbacks | Center backs | Defensive/central midfielders | Attacking midfielders | Wingers | Center forwards