William Saliba (24 today ) is among the finest defenders on the planet See where the Arsenal superstar ranks

20 Best Defenders in World Football Right Now (Ranked)

 

 

Summary

 

While goalscorers might take all the plaudits, it’s often said defences win titles in the modern game.

 

Players from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the illustrious names to make this superstar list.

 

Three current England internationals feature on the list, which is the most of any nation.

 

A strong defender is vitally important to any successful football team. Sorting out the back-line is crucial, and having some serious defensive talent is a surefire way to build a team destined for silverware. Much focus is placed on attacking players, which is why any list of the best footballers in the world will always be dominated by that type of star.

 

However, we’ve highlighted the best defenders in the world right now, in order to give them their flowers for a change. From buccaneering full-backs to commanding centre-halves, the world game is laced with talented defenders in all shapes and sizes. Here are the best players who operate at the back in a role that has been unsung for too long.

 

Ranking factors

 

Given that trying to separate those on the list is such a difficult task, a number of factors will be taken into consideration as to where they end up in the rankings. These include:

 

The team they play for

 

Trophies won

 

How important they have been to their club’s success

 

World’s Best Defenders Ranked

 

Rank

 

Player

 

Club

 

Country

 

1.

 

Virgil van Dijk

 

Liverpool

 

Netherlands

 

2.

 

William Saliba

 

Arsenal

 

France

 

3.

 

Antonio Rudiger

 

Real Madrid

 

Germany

 

4.

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold

 

Liverpool

 

England

 

5.

 

Gabriel Magalhaes

 

Arsenal

 

Brazil

 

6.

 

Josko Gvardiol

 

Manchester City

 

Croatia

 

7.

 

Ibrahima Konate

 

Liverpool

 

France

 

8.

 

Pau Cubarsi

 

Barcelona

 

Spain

 

9.

 

Alessandro Bastoni

 

Inter Milan

 

Italy

 

10.

 

Ruben Dias

 

Manchester City

 

Portugal

 

11.

 

Dani Carvajal

 

Real Madrid

 

Spain

 

12.

 

Theo Hernandez

 

AC Milan

 

France

 

13.

 

Alphonso Davies

 

Bayern Munich

 

Canada

 

14.

 

Joshua Kimmich

 

Bayern Munich

 

Germany

 

15.

 

Ronaldo Araujo

 

Barcelona

 

Uruguay

 

16.

 

John Stones

 

Manchester City

 

England

 

17.

 

Eder Militao

 

Real Madrid

 

Brazil

 

18.

 

Achraf Hakimi

 

Paris Saint-Germain

 

Morocco

 

19.

 

Marquinhos

 

Paris Saint-Germain

 

Brazil

 

20.

 

Jurrien Timber

 

Arsenal

 

Netherlands

 

20Jurrien Timber

 

Arsenal and Netherlands

 

Jurrien Timber has an argument for being one of the most underrated players in the Premier League right now. Since joining Arsenal in the summer of 2023, the Dutchman has suffered a long-term knee injury before returning and looking even better than he did before the lengthy lay-off.

 

Playing left-back, right-back and centre-back for the Gunners, there’s not much the ex-Ajax star can’t do. He looks as comfortable stepping into midfield with the ball at his feet as he does locking up the Premier League’s best wingers.

 

19Marquinhos

 

PSG and Brazil

 



 

With the departure of Kylian Mbappe this summer, Paris Saint-Germain have undergone a massive shift, but if anyone can lead the club through the upheaval without any major hiccups, it’s Marquinhos. The Brazilian has been an incredible leader for the French club, and while he missed a large portion of the 2023/24 campaign due to injury, his impact on the pitch is undeniable.

 

Over 11 years with the Ligue 1 side, the centre-back has been nothing short of incredible, playing close to 450 games as they have won a ridiculous nine league titles since his arrival.

 

Marquinhos – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Copa Libertadores

 

2012

 

Ligue 1

 

2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024

 

Coupe de France

 

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024

 

Coupe de la Ligue

 

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020

 

Trophee des Champions

 

2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023

 

Copa America

 

2019

 

18Achraf Hakimi

 

PSG and Morocco

 

Achraf Hakimi has played for some incredible football teams over the years and that’s a testament to how good he is. The full-back is dynamite on the right-hand side and has been vital for Paris Saint-Germain since joining the club in 2021. There are few defenders on the planet as effective as the Moroccan at driving forward, and this allows him to weigh in with numerous goals and assists for both club and country.

 

In three years with the Ligue 1 champions, Hakimi has earned 35 goal contributions, a record that most midfielders would be happy with. The full-back turned 26 at the end of 2024 and arguably still has his peak left to reach, which could see him climb even further up this list in the next few seasons.

 

Achraf Hakimi – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Years

 

Champions League

 

2018

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2018

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2018

 

Serie A

 

2021

 

Ligue 1

 

2022, 2023, 2024

 

17Eder Militao

 

Real Madrid and Brazil

 

While he initially took his time making an impact at Real Madrid, the last couple of seasons have seen Eder Militao emerge as one of the best centre-backs on the planet. The former FC Porto man has been electric for the La Liga side and his influence on the pitch has been clear for anyone watching to see.

 

Whether it’s in the air, or on the ground, he’s been a nightmare for forwards to deal with over the last two years. A serious ACL injury on the opening day of the season ruled him out for the first eight months of the 2023/24 campaign, and another ACL tear will see him miss even more action in 2025. On his day, though, the Brazilian is incredible.

 

Eder Militao – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2022, 2024

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2023

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2023

 

La Liga

 

2020, 2022, 2024

 

Copa del Rey

 

2023

 

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

 

2024

 

Copa America

 

2019

 



 

Related

 

20 Best Midfielders in the World Ranked (2025)

 

2

 

16John Stones

 

Manchester City and England

 

John Stones has managed to completely revolutionise the idea of what a centre-back is capable of. Despite spending several years as a fairly reliable defender at City, he has now transformed into almost a new man, and he took charge of games for the side and emerged as one of the best players in England.

 

At times his future at the Etihad looked bleak, but that certainly isn’t the case these days. He’s now one of Guardiola’s most important players and whether it’s in the midfield where he spent time last year, or back in the defence, he’ll continue to serve as a game-changer for both club and country.

 

John Stones – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2023

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2024

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2024

 

Premier League

 

2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

 

FA Cup

 

2019, 2023

 

Carabao Cup

 

2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

 

15Ronald Araujo

 

Barcelona and Uruguay

 



 

Possessing the perfect blend of defensive solidity and intelligence, Ronald Araujo’s career may have been interrupted by a host of injuries, from a 69-day absence in the 2022/23 season to his current issue, which kept him out for several months. That said, on his day, there are very few defenders who can emulate his brilliance at the back.

 

At the tender age of 25, the 21-cap Uruguay international has been courted by Manchester United and the like for years – but has shown his dedication to his current La Liga employers, having racked up over 150 appearances for Barcelona since putting pen to paper in October 2020.

 

Ronald Araujo – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

La Liga

 

2023

 

Spanish Cup

 

2021

 

Spanish Super Cup

 

2023, 2024

 

14Joshua Kimmich

 

Bayern Munich and Germany

 

Willing to help Bayern Munich out from right-back to central midfield, there are very few deficiencies in Joshua Kimmich’s well-rounded tool kit. Labelled as a Phillip Lahm regen, what some do not appreciate about the diminutive German international is his dedication to performing on a week-by-week basis – an aspect that is, perhaps, hard to come by in the modern game.

 

Whether he could be making the jump to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the summer remains an unknown fact, but his versatility, combined with his concoction of technical and tactical expertise, would make the Rottweil-born gem a great fit for any team looking to add silverware to their trophy cabinet.

 

Joshua Kimmich – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2020

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2021

 

Bundesliga

 

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

 

German Cup

 

2016, 2019, 2020

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2021

 

German Super Cup

 

2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

 

Confederations Cup

 

2017

 

13Alphonso Davies

 

Bayern Munich and Canada

 

It feels as though Alphonso Davies has been around for almost a decade, despite the fact he only joined Bayern Munich in 2019, but that’s due to the massive impact he’s had in such a short time. One of the fastest players in world football, the Canadian regularly bursts up and down the left wing for his club and country.

 

He’s been a game-changer for Bayern since he arrived in the team and there are no left-backs in football quite on his level right now. His exploits for his country have already made him a legend in Canada too. At just 24 years old, he’s already accomplished so much and the sky really is the limit for Davies.

 

Alphonso Davies – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2020

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2021

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2021

 

Bundesliga

 

2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

 

German Cup

 

2019, 2020

 

12Theo Hernandez

 

AC Milan and France

 

While AC Milan are counting their lucky stars that they took a punt on Theo Hernandez’s signature in the summer of 2019, it’s his previous employers, Real Madrid, who will be kicking themselves for letting him go for such a paltry fee. Since moving from Spain to Italy, there are not many fans who cannot say he’s one of the best at doing what he does best.

 



 

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10 Greatest Footballers Who Played for Real Madrid and AC Milan [Ranked]

 

Quick enough to maraud forward with ease, while his high IQ allows him to marshal the back line from the left-back berth. Also, the Frenchman has every tool to play at the top level of the sport for the next decade or so, despite already being 27 years of age. Somehow capped by France on just 36 occasions, the bulky defender’s deliveries are what sees him stand tall above many on the continent.

 

Theo Hernandez – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2018

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2018

 

Serie A

 

2022

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2018

 

Nations League

 

2021

 

Spanish Super Cup

 

2018

 

11Dani Carvajal

 

Real Madrid and Spain

 

Having played for a star-studded Real Madrid for so long means that Dani Carvajal is often Los Blancos’ forgotten man. But it’s hard to discount how much of a serial winner he is. With experience and know-how pouring out of both ears, the veteran Spaniard is part of the furniture at the Santiago Bernabeu and will call time on his career as a certified legend thanks to his unwavering dedication.

 

It takes a special kind of talent to cement yourself as a mainstay at a club of such a size and stature of the La Liga behemoths – but Carvajal, now 33, has done it at a canter, winning six Champions League crowns in the process. He possesses all the makings of a modern defender: he’s intelligent, able to attack and is defensively sound, too. The only reason he’s not in the top 10 is because injuries are sadly taking their toll now.

 

Dani Carvajal – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024

 

European Championships

 

2024

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023

 

La Liga

 

2017, 2020, 2022, 2024

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2015, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2025

 

Copa del Rey

 

2014, 2023

 

Spanish Cup

 

2014, 2023

 

Spanish Super Cup

 

2018, 2020, 2022, 2024

 

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

 

2024

 

Nations League

 

2023

 

10Ruben Dias

 

Manchester City and Portugal

 

Ruben Dias has been a game-changer at Manchester City ever since he moved to the Etihad in 2019. You can count the number of bad games he’s had over the last five years on the one hand, and he’s been vital in every bit of the club’s success since then.

 

Dias was largely responsible for the Citizens having the best defence in England during their treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, and he continued that level of performance into the following season, as City secured a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Guardiola has built the best backline in world football, and it takes someone special to stand out among the plethora of talent that they have in the side, but that’s exactly what Dias has done.

 

Ruben Dias – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2023

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2024

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2024

 

Premier League

 

2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

 

FA Cup

 

2023

 

Carabao Cup

 

2021

 

Liga Portugal

 

2019

 

UEFA Nations League

 

2019

 

9​​​Alessandro Bastoni

 

Inter Milan and Italy

 

Simone Inzaghi crafted the best defence in Europe at Inter Milan last season, with the elegant Alessandro Bastoni at its epicentre. Always in control of his impossibly long limbs, the veteran 25-year-old keeps the back door bolted while also cantering forward.

 

Relishing the freedom afforded to him by the dizzying positional interchange Inzaghi encourages, Bastoni has supplemented his undiluted defensive work ethic with a career-high tally of four direct goal involvements. The rampaging centre-back has provided as many assists as Inter’s talismanic striker Lautaro Martinez. Bastoni’s unique skill set helped the Nerazzurri romp to the Serie A title, wrapping up the club’s 20th Scudetto in April 2024 with a victory over fierce rivals AC Milan.

 

Alessandro Bastoni – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Serie A

 

2021, 2024

 

European Championship

 

2021

 

Supercoppa Italiana

 

2021, 2022, 2023

 

Coppa Italia

 

2022, 2023

 

8Pau Cubarsi

 

Barcelona and Spain

 

To be an 18-year-old regularly playing for Barcelona, one of the biggest clubs in world football, is the truest testament to what Pau Cubarsi can go on to achieve. And, when he plays, the young Spaniard does not stand out like a sore thumb like most of the youngsters being sprung into senior proceedings. Already a five-cap Spain international, where Estanyol-born Cubarsi could be in a decade is unthinkable.

 

Seemingly following in the footsteps of Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos, Barcelona and Spain have a gem at their disposal – it’s now about regulating his progression from boy to man as he continues to make waves across Europe. A Ballon d’Or may feel unlikely given his position, but the glittering centre-back has a high chance of bucking the trend.

 

Pau Cubarsi – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Olympic Gold Medal

 

2024

 

Spanish Super Cup

 

2024

 



 

Related

 

25 Best Young Players in World Football (Ranked)

 

3

 

7Ibrahima Konate

 

Liverpool and France

 

Ibrahima Konate’s partner in crime, Virgil van Dijk, will always be the headline-grabber thanks to the Dutchman’s imposing nature, but no football fan can overlook what the Frenchman has given to the Merseysiders. Still just 25 years of age, Konate has years aplenty left in the bank and could, upon Van Dijk’s eventual departure, continue to carry the torch.

 

Unfortunately, his stint at Liverpool – which began in the summer of 2021 when he arrived from RB Leipzig – has been marred by injury but, on his day, there’s no doubting that the Paris-born monster is among the sport’s greatest at the back. Equally calm as he is aggressive, all in a timely manner, there are not many strikers in world football who would fancy a battle with the man in question.

 

Ibrahima Konate – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

FA Cup

 

2022

 

League Cup

 

2022, 2024

 

English Super Cup

 

2023

 

6Josko Gvardiol

 

Manchester City and Croatia

 

What a signing Josko Gvardiol has been for Manchester City. The youngster was exceptional for RB Leipzig in the 2022/23 campaign, as well as bossing it with Croatia at the 2022 World Cup, and he became one of the most highly sought-after defenders in world football. It was Pep Guardiola’s side who won a hotly contested race.

 



 

Related

 

15 Best Left-Backs in the Premier League Right Now

 

2

 

Gvardiol’s integration into City’s treble-winning backline was gradual. Guardiola admitted that he didn’t want to overload the 23-year-old with too many complex tactical instructions during his debut campaign and described his new arrival as “a little bit shy”. Gvardiol emphatically rediscovered his confidence during the season’s run-in with a prolific burst of scoring form, offering hope of solving City’s long-standing left-back issue.

 

Josko Gvardiol – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2024

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2024

 

Premier League

 

2024

 

German Cup

 

2022, 2023

 

Croatian Football League

 

2020, 2021

 

Croatian Cup

 

2021

 

5Gabriel

 

Arsenal and Brazil

 

Gabriel Magalhaes went 14 months without making what Opta defines as an error which led to an opponent’s shot – let alone a goal – between February 2023 and April 2024, despite playing almost every available minute across that period. Arsenal’s enigmatic Brazilian seems to have matured over the last 18 months, channelling his innate aggression to win the ball back at the right time rather than every time.

 

A settled personal life off the pitch and an ever-improving grasp of the English language has helped Gabriel establish himself as one of the Premier League’s best defenders. The fact that he, with the aid of Nicolas Jover’s genius, offers a potent threat for Arsenal in both boxes and his ability from set pieces is a bonus.

 

Gabriel – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Prva HNL

 

2018

 

Croatian Cup

 

2018

 

Community Shield

 

2023

 

4Trent Alexander-Arnold

 

Liverpool and England

 

A lot of criticism has been aimed at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive abilities over the years, which means he’s actually become somewhat underrated. Make no mistake about it, though, he’s still one of the best defenders on the planet. Few players have ever revolutionised a position in the manner in which he has done at right-back.

 

The role changed significantly due to his performances there and that’s a testament to how special a talent he is. He’s deceptively strong defensively and more than exceptional going forward. Liverpool have experienced some incredible highs over the years, but there’s no chance they’d have been quite as successful without the boyhood supporter at the back.

 

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2019

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2020

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2020

 

Premier League

 

2020

 

FA Cup

 

2022

 

Carabao Cup

 

2022, 2024

 

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: With 64 assists in the Premier League across his career, no defender has more in the competition’s history.

 

3Antonio Rudiger

 

Real Madrid and Germany

 

Antonio Rudiger was regarded as one of the very best defenders in the world during his time at Chelsea and, after a period of adaptation during his debut campaign at Real Madrid, the punchy German has only improved. His combination of strength and speed set him apart from the majority of players in football.

 

Last season, injuries hit Madrid’s defence hard, cranking up Rudiger’s importance to Carlo Ancelotti’s side and, of course, he thrived under the mounting pressure. Relishing every physical battle he encountered, Rudiger’s unwavering form underpinned Madrid’s charge to the La Liga title and Champions League triumph in 2023/24.

 

Antonio Rudiger – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2021, 2024

 

Europa League

 

2019

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2022, 2023

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2022, 2023

 

FA Cup

 

2018

 

Copa del Rey

 

2023

 

Spanish Cup

 

2023

 

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

 

2024

 

Confederations Cup

 

2017

 

2William Saliba

 

Arsenal and France

 

After several years out on loan, William Saliba finally broke into the Arsenal first team in the 2022/23 season, and no party involved has looked back since. The Frenchman almost immediately became one of the best defenders in England and, over the last two years, he’s blossomed into one of the best defenders on the planet.

 

With blistering pace and the strength to out-muscle almost anyone, Saliba hasn’t faced a forward yet who had his number. He was able to keep Erling Haaland quiet on multiple occasions during the 2023/24 season and this year, he’s set to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s campaign once again. The Gunners face an uphill battle trying to secure the Premier League title, but with the terrifically talented defender on their books, they’ll feel confident they can get the job done.

 

William Saliba – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Community Shield

 

2020, 2023

 

1Virgil van Dijk

 

Liverpool and Netherlands

 

Virgil van Dijk may have turned 33 in the summer, but he is still inarguably the best defender in the world. You’d be hard-pressed to find any centre-back who transformed a side’s fortunes in the manner in which he did when he joined Liverpool, and it genuinely appeared for a time that he was on the verge of winning the Ballon d’Or.

 

A long-term injury sustained in October 2020 knocked the Dutch international out of his stride like no striker could. After a couple of seasons below his lofty standards, Van Dijk played a huge role in guiding Liverpool back to their best in the 2023/24 season. The imperious centre-back stole the spotlight in February 2024 by captaining a youthful side to League Cup success over Chelsea, a game in which he scored the winning goal. Under Arne Slot, he continues to be one of Liverpool’s most important figures.

 

Virgil van Dijk – Career Achievements

 

Trophies Won

 

Year

 

Champions League

 

2019

 

FIFA Club World Cup

 

2020

 

UEFA Super Cup

 

2020

 

Premier League

 

2020

 

FA Cup

 

2022

 

Carabao Cup

 

2022, 2024

 

Scottish Premiership

 

2014, 2015

 

Scottish League Cup

 

2015