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Top 10 Centre-Backs in World Football Right Now: Ranked

At present, Virgil Van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger, and William Saliba all feature among the top 10 center-backs in global football.
Anna Ciao
By: Anna Ciao

In the realm of football, the role of a center-back is pivotal, serving as a cornerstone in any team's structure. These players anchor the defense, thwart opposing attacks, and contribute to their team's offensive buildup.

As Sir Alex Ferguson famously stated, "Attack wins games, defense wins titles," underscoring the significance of solid defending in achieving success. Among the plethora of talented defenders worldwide, here's a rundown of the top 10 central defenders currently gracing the football stage, listed in order of merit. Crafting this list involved considering various factors such as:

  • Performances throughout the 2023/24 season
  • Performances over the preceding three seasons
  • Trophies secured
  • Overall influence on both club and national teams

Top 10 Centre-Backs in World Football

Rank

Player

Club

1.

Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid

2.

William Saliba

Arsenal

3.

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

4.

John Stones

Manchester City

5.

Ruben Dias

Manchester City

6.

Gabriel

Arsenal

7.

Mats Hummels

Borussia Dortmund

8.

Alessandro Bastoni

Inter Milan

9.

Ronald Araujo

Barcelona

10.

Eder Militao

Real Madrid

10. Eder Militao

Real Madrid

Eder Militao faced adversity during the 2023/24 season, enduring a significant setback due to an ACL injury suffered in August 2023. However, his resilience shone through as he made a timely return to action, contributing to his team's success in the title race. The Brazilian international is poised to form a formidable partnership with another standout defender in the upcoming Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

Under Carlo Ancelotti's guidance, Militao's importance to the team has been evident, as he swiftly reclaimed his spot in the starting lineup upon regaining full fitness. Demonstrating remarkable anticipation and a knack for winning back possession, Militao has seamlessly integrated back into the side, featuring prominently with three consecutive 90-minute appearances at the time of writing.

9. Ronald Araujo

Barcelona

Barcelona may not be in the era of dominating world football with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol anchoring the defense, but they have a promising talent holding their backline together.

Over the past four years, Ronald Araujo has grown into his role in Catalonia, becoming an integral part of Xavi's team. However, injuries have been a hindrance to his progress, with the 25-year-old suffering from 12 setbacks during his time in Spain. Fortunately, Araujo has enjoyed a period of sustained fitness since September 2023, allowing the versatile defender to showcase his abilities and underline his importance to Barcelona's future success.

8. Alessandro Bastoni

Inter Milan

Transitioning away from long-standing stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci was always going to be a challenge for the defending European champions. Fortunately, Alessandro Bastoni emerged as a ready-made leader for the Italian backline.

The 25-year-old played a crucial role in Inter Milan's journey to the Champions League final in the 2022/23 season and has since continued to excel as they reclaimed the Serie A title. With his prime years still ahead of him, Bastoni has ample opportunity to further refine his skills. He could become the linchpin for a period of domestic dominance for the Nerazzurri, a feat they haven't achieved in years.

7. Mats Hummels

Borussia Dortmund

In 2024, Mats Hummels has experienced a resurgence, playing a pivotal role in Borussia Dortmund's journey to the Champions League final. The Bundesliga side will rely on the veteran defender to thwart the attacking threats of players like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham when they face Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium.

Despite being 35 years old, Hummels was named Man of the Match in both legs of Dortmund's semi-final clash in Europe's elite competition against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite his advancing age, he has been a stalwart presence at the back for Edin Terzic's team, showcasing his intelligence and positional awareness, particularly in continental competition.

6. Gabriel

Arsenal

It appeared that Jurrien Timber was brought in by Mikel Arteta in 2023 to facilitate Gabriel's transition into a rotational role. Arsenal commenced the season with Timber on the right and Ben White alongside William Saliba in the middle. However, a long-term injury to Timber forced Arsenal to revert to their previous successful partnership, which has proven effective once again.

In 2024, Arsenal has only conceded eight goals in the Premier League, with their center-back pairing playing a crucial role in this defensive solidity. While much praise has been directed towards Saliba, Gabriel deserves recognition as well. As the more aggressive member of the duo, the Brazilian complements Saliba's style effectively, demonstrating leadership and consistency throughout the season.

5. Ruben Dias

Manchester City

Ruben Dias had the rare privilege of being immediately integrated into Pep Guardiola's starting XI upon his arrival, and for good reason. The Portuguese ace was already considered one of the hottest prospects in his position during his time at Benfica.

It was only a matter of time before one of Europe's elite clubs snapped him up. Since joining Manchester City in 2020, despite the departures of players like Eric Garcia and Aymeric Laporte, Dias has remained a constant presence in the squad. Some argue that he should be ranked higher on the list, especially as he nears a fourth consecutive Premier League title, showcasing his defensive prowess at the heart of the Citizens' backline.

4. John Stones

Manchester City

John Stones' journey at Manchester City has been characterized by ups and downs, but the club's historic treble in the 2022/23 season marked a significant milestone for the English defender. Despite facing periods where he was out of favor and excluded from the team by Pep Guardiola, Stones remained committed to improvement.

He adapted to a new role where he transitions from central defense into midfield with the ball, showcasing his versatility and skill. Paired alongside Ruben Dias, another defensive stalwart, Stones has emerged as one of the premier players in his position. His contributions will be pivotal to England's aspirations of securing their first major trophy since 1966.

3. Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk's arrival at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp marked a transformative moment for the club. His influence was particularly evident during Liverpool's title-winning campaign in 2020, where he demonstrated near-impenetrable defense. Remarkably, he went 50 games without being dribbled past, showcasing his exceptional defensive prowess.

However, a setback in the form of injury during the 2020/21 season seemed to shake the 32-year-old's confidence. Upon his return, he initially struggled to regain his dominant form as Liverpool faced challenges on the field. Yet, Van Dijk's resurgence came to the forefront during the 2023/24 season, highlighted by his leadership in guiding a youthful Liverpool side to victory in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea. Notably, he sealed the win with a late stoppage-time goal, demonstrating his enduring impact.

Assuming the captain's armband appeared to rejuvenate the former Celtic and Southampton star, revitalizing his presence at the core of Liverpool's defensive line.

2. William Saliba

Arsenal

Arsenal's impressive defensive record since the start of the year has been acknowledged, and the integral role of William Saliba in the team has been emphasized. Despite not being the manager's initial preference at the beginning of the season, Saliba's importance to the club is undeniable.

It's remarkable to consider that the Frenchman has been with the club for less than two years yet has already established himself as a key figure. His consistent presence has made it feel as though he's been a fixture for much longer. With the responsibility of leading France's defense at Euro 2024, Saliba is poised to follow in the footsteps of Raphael Varane with his exceptional talent.

Illustrating his ascent in the footballing world, Saliba has earned the Man of the Match accolade at prestigious venues such as Old Trafford, the Etihad, and Anfield, all within the same campaign.

1. Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid

Antonio Rudiger claims the top spot on this list, courtesy of his stellar performances for Real Madrid during the 2023/24 season, which culminated in the club securing their 36th La Liga title. Despite injury setbacks sidelining Eder Militao and David Alaba for significant portions of the campaign, Rudiger has been a mainstay in the squad, featuring in over 40 matches across all competitions.

A seasoned campaigner with a Champions League triumph under his belt from his time at Chelsea, the 31-year-old German defender now adds a league title to his accolades as Real Madrid reclaimed the crown from their arch-rivals, Barcelona. Rudiger's contributions have been vital to this success, as he has been involved in nearly every league fixture, leading in blocks and clearances per game. Notably, he also boasts remarkable speed, ranking among the fastest players in the world in 2024.

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Anna Ciao
Written by: Anna Ciao
Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.

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