The 25 best centre-backs in world football - ranked

A top central defender is like gold dust in the modern footballing climate. It's a role that not only requires exceptional mental and physical attributes, but the ability to lead and organise a defensive line.

There are so few who have mastered the role over the years; even fewer who are still playing. Picking the top 25, then, is quite the undertaking, although there are an abundance of elite central defenders currently plying their trade across Europe.

After plenty of debate, we've managed to come up with the definitive list. Please don't disagree, this is categorically accurate.

25. Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori has taken the long route to reach the top at a relatively young age.

Shipped out by Roma to Basel, the centre-back re-emerged with Bologna and helped them shock the rest of Italy by qualifying for the Champions League in 2023/24.

He then became a breakout star at Euro 2024 with some assured performances and followed that up with a switch to Arsenal. Capable of playing at centre-back and left-back, the Italian has a bright future indeed.

24. Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez's start at Manchester United was pretty tough and fans and pundits alike were quick to label him too short to succeed in the Premier League.

However, he has bounced back from criticism and 'the Butcher' is winning supporters over in defence with his combative tackling and excellent passing skills. He makes up for his lack of height with his South American grit.

It's just a shame about those persistent injuries.

23. Matthijs de Ligt

When Ajax looked to be storming towards the Champions League final in 2018/19, it was Matthijs de Ligt performing like a colossus at the back as a teenager who caught the eye.

The talent is undoubted and though the Dutchman's progress stalled at Juventus, his move to Bayern Munich helped him rediscover his potential.

Die Roten supporters were surprised to see De Ligt more or less shoved out of the exit door last summer, with Man Utd snapping him up to bolster their backline.

22. Nico Schlotterbeck

Nico Schlotterbeck cuts a pretty unassuming figure but he is slowly transforming into one of German football's most eye-catching central defenders.

The towering centre-back was an essential cog in Borussia Dortmund's Champions League final run in 2023/24, boasting the ability to fly into challenges and drive forward with the ball glued to his feet.

21. Edmond Tapsoba

Bayer Leverkusen's meteoric rise under Alonso has been aided by the impressive displays of Edmond Tapsoba.

The Burkina Faso international boasts the athleticism needed to thrive at the highest level and has vastly improved under the Spaniard's guidance, thriving as part of a back three.

While he's been previously linked with a move to one of Europe's grandest clubs, Tapsoba continues to dominate defences in Leverkusen.

20. Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven settled at Tottenham Hotspur ridiculously quickly following his move from Wolfsburg, with the Dutch centre-back largely impenetrable thanks to his ridiculous pace. He's the perfect defender to marshal Ange Postecoglou's ludicrously high-line.

Van de Ven has plenty of room to improve and climb this list in the years to come, but he's already operating at an impressive standard in the world's toughest division.

19. Jonathan Tah

A pillar of Leverkusen's immense 2023/24 side that saw the German outfit win the Bundesliga for the first time in their history and finish the season unbeaten domestically, Jonathan Tah almost jumped ship during the summer.

The defender had impressed so much at the BayArena that perennial talent poachers Bayern Munich were eager to sign him, with a move ultimately failing to materialise.

You know you're pretty good when Bayern come calling.

18. Min-jae Kim

Fans around Europe took notice of the indomitable Min-jae Kim as the South Korean led Napoli's defence in their 2022/23 Scudetto triumph.

Having secured a move to Bayern, the Bavarians have one of the world's best on their books. Under Vincent Kompany - a former centre-back who knows talent when he sees it - Kim can blossom into a truly elite central defender.

17. Josko Gvardiol

2022/23 was a productive season for Josko Gvardiol as he helped Croatia to the semi-final of the World Cup, won the DFB-Pokal and finished third in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.

A mammoth move to Manchester City followed and Gvardiol has thrived in English football since, albeit operating mainly as a left-back for the reigning Premier League champions.

However, Gvardiol made his name in the centre of defence and is still a classy customer when operating there.

16. Cristian Romero

Tottenham fans quickly fell in love with aggressive right-sided Argentina international Cristian Romero.

A fiery tackler who links up well in possession, Romero won Serie A's defender of the year award for his displays with Atalanta before joining Spurs.

Now a World Cup winner and two-time Copa America champion, Romero is key for Tottenham, even if there is room for improvement in the years to come.

15. Nathan Ake

Nathan Ake often performs a hybrid defensive role on the left for Man City and has boundless energy to make it work for Pep Guardiola. To play in such a system not only takes incredible technical ability but impressive tactical intelligence.

The Dutchman wasn't an immediate success at the Etihad but found form at the start of 2023. City fans can always count on Ake if a last-ditch tackle is ever required.

14. Marquinhos

Marquinhos arrived at Paris Saint-Germain as a teenager with much hype around his potential.

He's switched from central defence to defensive midfield and back again, becoming the linchpin as PSG dominate in France.

Now entering his peak years as a defender, Marquinhos is only improving with age and is a vital presence at international level with Brazil. His experience makes him a steady performer at the back for club and country.

13. Gleison Bremer

Gleison Bremer's growing influence at Torino culminated in the Brazilian winning the award for Serie A's best defender in 2021/22.

Juventus were suitably impressed and splashed out £45m for the defender. It was wise business from La Vecchia Signora, who have been pretty dodgy in the transfer market over recent years.

Signing Bremer was no misstep, however, with the Brazilian now a key member of the team.

12. Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate has often found himself in Virgil van Dijk's huge shadow at Anfield, but his development has been superb since making the move to Liverpool.

The defender has fantastic recovery speed and is great in one-v-one duels, attributes needed when playing in the Reds' high line. Bar the odd lapse in concentration, Konate is a defiant centre-back presence.

He will likely improve further in the coming years - a frightening proposition for Liverpool's rivals.

11. Manuel Akanji

Once not that highly-rated while at Borussia Dortmund, Manuel Akanji is one of the many, many players who have benefitted from working with Guardiola.

He's now a dependable performer at the Etihad Stadium in whatever position his manager picks him to play, whether that's centrally, out wide or even the odd foray into defensive midfield.

Having been signed by City for just £15m, he's been one of the most notable recent bargains in the Premier League.

10. David Alaba

When all is said and done, David Alaba will be recognised as one of the greatest players of his generation.

The Austrian broke through at Bayern Munich as a teenager and played much of his football at left-back due to the Bundesliga side's beefy options in central defence.

However, his incredible skill set makes him an ideal centre back - even if he isn't blessed with the height of some - and the fact he's played in some of the most successful club sides in history tells you just how important he is.

He continues to impress with Real Madrid and at international level with Austria, where he'll play anywhere from left-back to attacking midfield.

9. Eder Militao

Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane's exits from Real Madrid meant there were big boots to fill at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It was Eder Militao who initially stepped up and the Brazilian soon formed an excellent partnership with fellow new arrival David Alaba as Madrid won the La Liga and Champions League double in 2021/22.

He's developed into a speedy, powerful and reliable central defender, even if injuries continue to hamper his progress.

8. Ronald Araujo

During some pretty dark economic and playing days for Barcelona, the emergence of Ronald Araujo was one of their few bright moments.

The Uruguayan established himself under Ronald Koeman. While not the best with the ball at his feet, Araujo is always switched on at the back and likes to make the first move when winning the ball back.

His tactical awareness and presence in the air mark him out as a major force to contend with for the next decade.

7. John Stones

There was a time when John Stones looked firmly out of the picture at Man City, with the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and even Eric Garcia all ahead in the pecking order.

However, he won favour again with Guardiola and his versatility at right-back and in midfield means he's a key contributor for one of the most devastating club sides ever seen.

His ease in possession is a joy to watch and helped City to a brilliant 2022/23 treble.

6. Alessandro Bastoni

Alessandro Bastoni is an established presence in Inter's defence and enjoyed a brilliant 2020/21 campaign in their Serie A-title winning season. He won the title once again in 2023/24 as he continues to dazzle in Milan.

The Italy international impresses with the timing of his challenges and boasts immense calmness under pressure. He remains a hugely underappreciated talent.

He has big boots to fill on the international scene with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci long out of the picture, but in Bastoni there's a worthy successor for the Azzurri.

5. Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel Magalhaes was seen as the weak link in his partnership with William Saliba as Arsenal came close to the Premier League title in 2022/23.

However, that's no longer the case.

The Brazilian was immense the following campaign for the stubborn Gunners, instrumental in the Premier League's most stubborn defence as Arsenal finished runners-up once again.

He's nigh-on impossible to stop from set pieces, popping up with a fair few goals for Arsenal.

4. Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias made an incredible start to his career at Man City and has only improved with time.

In his debut campaign, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year, Manchester City Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season and the UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season.

The Portugal defender was a mainstay during the 2022/23 run-in as City completed a famous treble and was key again as they retained the Premier League title in 2023/24.

3. William Saliba

William Saliba has been a truly transformative figure in Arsenal's defence since returning from a few loans over in Ligue 1.

The Frenchman can match any Premier League attacker for pace and has already established a formidable partnership at the back with Gabriel.

Saliba remains one of the most graceful centre-backs you're likely to see and is firmly among the best in the world following an extraordinarily quick ascent in north London.

The scary thing is that he still has time to get even better.

2. Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is not a defender that opposition forwards relish coming up against.

With a gigantic frame and pace to match, the Netherlands international was a leading figure in a Liverpool side that became European and domestic champions in 2019 and 2020.

A few injuries and some dodgy performances affected his stock slightly around the world, but the Dutchman is back to his imperious best once again.

He's also a commanding leader at the back, donning the captain's armband for club and country.

1. Antonio Rudiger

Having earned a move to Real Madrid thanks to his stunning performances for Chelsea, Rudiger has developed into a truly world class centre-back under Carlo Ancelotti.

If you're a regular for Madrid, you know you're big time, and the German was an ever-present as Los Blancos won La Liga and the Champions League in 2023/24. He showed immense consistency as Madrid struggled with a central defensive injury crisis.

Rudiger may not be a player that opposition fans adore given his louder than life personality and tendency to cause mischief, but he's the world's best as things stand.

READ MORE ON THE BEST 25 PLAYERS FOR EVERY POSITION IN WORLD FOOTBALL