Choosing the best centre-backs in the world is a difficult task. Often, the best defenders do the least amount of work.
And that in its own right is a skill. Paolo Maldini is famously credited with claiming, “If I have to tackle, I have already made a mistake,” and much of defending these days is about anticipation and starting play. So we've struck a balance between the two spheres of a centre-back's role with our list.
VIDEO How Arsenal's 10 Men Nearly Pulled Off The Impossible Against Man City
How our experts decided the best centre-backs in the world
We wanted a well-rounded and reflective list of the top centre-backs on Earth, so went to our esteemed team of experts at FourFourTwo to compile their picks. We asked them to balance what defenders can offer both in and out of possession, taking into account on-the-ball prowess and passing, as well a player's tackling, interception and reading of the game.
Our experts returned with their individual top 10 lists, judging central defenders by their current form and ability, but taking into account historic achievements over the last few years. The team nominated 20 players altogether, whose scores were then compiled before we halved that list to bring you the top 10.
Along with centre-backs, we've ranked the best goalkeepers on Earth at current, while across the rest of defence, we've got the best right-backs in the world and the best left-backs in the world. We've also ranked the best defensive midfielders in the world, while these are the best central midfielders in the world and these are the best attacking midfielders in the world.
We also have lists of forwards: the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world can be found here. Let's crack into the centre-backs, though…
10. Nathan Ake (Manchester City)
When Manchester City parted with a whopping £41 million for recently-relegated defender Nathan Ake, heads began to turn. Four years on, the Netherlands international remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s super squad he has assembled and is one of the most unsung members of the Sky Blues side.
A natural playmaker and as composed as you are ever likely to see, the 29-year-old was unwanted by Chelsea and it is utterly baffling to wonder why. Another four-time Premier League winner, Ake is one of Europe’s best ball-playing centre-halves.
9. David Alaba (Real Madrid)
Capable of operating at both left-back and centre-back, David Alaba’s career at Bayern Munich saw him win ten German titles and two Champions League crowns before a move to Real Madrid came in 2021. Since then, his stock has risen even further, with the Austrian now trusted to marshal Carlo Ancelotti’s uber-talented backline.
The 31-year-old defender’s technical ability sees him stand out from the rest as his terrific career at the top level continues – though injuries this season mean that he wasn’t at Euro 2024 with Austria's squad.
8. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
One of the few Italy players to come out of a poor Euro 2024 with much credit, Bastoni has made a name for himself as a brilliantly capable modern centre-back who does his job at the back but still finds the time to get forward and join the attack.
FBRef’s numbers rank Bastoni in the top 1% of all centre-backs across Europe’s big five leagues for carrying the ball, receiving progressing passes, expected assists and chance-creating actions… and all while helping Inter Milan concede just 22 goals as they romped to the Serie A title last season.
7. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
One of the prime proponents of progressive passing out from the back, Marquinhos has had his injury troubles this season – and Paris Saint-Germain have notably looked like a much less effective team when he’s been absent.
Brazil, admittedly, have struggled whether Marquinhos has been in the side or not, but their issues have been much more at the other end of the field.
6. Gabriel (Arsenal)
One of the best signings made in the Premier League in the past five years, Gabriel has been a rock for an Arsenal defence that conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League last season and just seems to get better and better.
The Brazilian can count himself unlucky to have been limited to a single cameo at the Copa America as Eder Militao and Marquinhos took precedence, but he has shrugged it off to start the new league campaign in superb form, complementing his defensive performances with crucial set-piece goals against Tottenham and Manchester City.
5. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Now in his fifth season at Manchester City, where Dias has been one of Pep Guardiola’’s most dependable players since his £60 million move from Benfica in 2020.
The closest thing Pep has had to Vincent Kompany since the Belgian called it a day, Dias’ physical attributes and his reading of the game have seen him develop into one of Europe’s best defenders, with the 27-year-old excelling for both club and country.
4. John Stones (Manchester City)
The Barnsley-born defender has found it tough to hold down a regular place in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI at Manchester City in the last year or so – due to injury, competition and Pep’s love of tweaking even a winning system – but the fact that he played every minute of England’s Euro 2024 run to the final is a reminder of the 30-year-old’s talent.
What happens next at City will be interesting. Rodri’s season-ending injury opens the door for Stones to potentially turn his midfield cameos into a more permanent role, so all eyes will be on what Pep is cooking up, as Stones is more than capable of doing a job there.
3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
There he is, of course, as he always is. Liverpool have had their ups and downs over the past year, and van Dijk may not have quite the aura of absolute invincibility about him that he did a few years ago, but he is still one of the best centre-backs in the game today.
It is hard to imagine the success Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool would have had in modern history without the colossal impact Van Dijk has provided. Praised by Lionel Messi of all people for his abilities in both defence and attack, the Netherlands international oozes class whenever he takes to the pitch, amplifying his cool aura that shines through so naturally when defending even against the toughest opponents. He remains dominant off the ball and classy on it, and helped take the Netherlands to reach a major tournament semi-final for the first time in ten years at Euro 2024.
2. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid defender added a second Champions League title to his resume at the end of last season, further strengthening his case as the planet’s best centre-back.
If you were building a defender from scratch you’d want height, speed, the ability to ready the game and pass the ball out from the back, and these are all attributes that the German international possesses in spades. His Real Madrid team is packed with attacking talent, but few players in that squad are as important as he is.
1. William Saliba (Arsenal)
Saliba was made to wait for his opportunity at Arsenal – but after three years on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille, the centre-back has proven to be a key piece in the puzzle as the Gunners have turned from a club in transition to genuine Premier League title contenders.
As manager Mikel Arteta put it earlier this year, “I told him that I would not put him in because he wasn’t ready so he had to prove himself elsewhere. He was incredible and consistent and he succeeded in managing other problems. He came back and after one or two training sessions, in a new environment, we knew that, from now on, he could do it. Since, he has proved that brilliantly. His progression and his consistency are incredible. We are very happy to have him here.’
Saliba has also become just as important to France: his performances at Euro 2024 earned him a place in the competition’s team of the tournament.
