The best defenders in the world right now, according to statistics, are Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel Magalhaes, Alessandro Bastoni, Achraf Hakimi and William Saliba. The article highlights their achievement and current records.
You know how conceding many goals would be detrimental to your team’s success; that’s where quality defenders come in.
Over the past decades, we’ve watched some of the best defenders exert command in their backline, dictating for the rest of the players to score decisive goals.
In our pubs, match centres, and homes, we’ve sat in front of our TV screens (although some are documentaries) to watch iconic names like Alessandro Nesta, Franz Beckenbauer, and Bobby Moore dominate the game.
But who are the best legs in this position? From Rúben Dias, Sergio Ramos, and Virgil van Dijk to the next gens like Alphonso Davies, Interesting Football takes a look at the best defenders in the world right now.
21. Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan, Italy)
Federico Dimarco is arguably one of the best players at Inter Milan over the last couple of seasons. The Italian soccer player has registered his name on the world list of best defenders year after year. Without a doubt, he is one of the key players at the club with his defensive and offensive prowess.
Most importantly, he is known for his defensive approach to the game and consistency.
20. John Stones (Manchester City, England)
John Stones has been a longstanding player in the English Premier League and has continued to rank on the top list. The English footballer is known for his level of ball possession and tactical approach to the game.
19. Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal, France)
Theo Hernandez is one of the most decent defenders in world football right now. The Frenchman was a key player for PSG and AC Milan before making the switch to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
He won the Serie A with Milan and played a significant role in the team. He is known for his confidence, pace, and physical presence, which makes it difficult for opponents to thrive in his position.
Theo Hernandez has been playing in advanced roles. He is sometimes allowed to play more offensively and has been largely successful.
18. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea FC, Spain)
Marc Cucurella continued with his Euro-winning mentality at Chelsea. The Spaniard has continued to gather the numbers this season under Enzo Maresca.
This season, he has been involved in almost every game for the Blues. Chelsea have been struggling in the English Premier League over the last two seasons even as the club registered new players.
But gradually, the team is taking shape, and key players like Marc Cucurella have been behind the team's surge towards recovery.
Chelsea's stability would largely depend on the consistency of its top players, including the Spaniard, in the long run.
17. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid, England)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of the most outstanding players in the world since he broke into the first team in 2016. He has successfully established himself as one of the world’s best full-backs.
But this season, his defensive and offensive attributes have attracted criticism at Real Madrid. However, his role in the full-back position has been helpful to the team, even though some would prefer he play in the midfield.
16. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Spain)
One of the biggest names in world football is Dani Carvajal, who rose to the occasion as Spain lifted the European Football Championship.
The Real Madrid captain was one of the senior players in the national team as they went on to win the title while creating more records.
Dani Carvajal has been one of the mainstays in the Real Madrid squad. He established himself as a modern defender whose contributions are in the defensive and offensive positions.
15. Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool FC, France)
It is no surprise Ibrahima Konate is included in the list, which is largely due to his consistency under the new Liverpool boss.
He has played a key role this season even as Liverpool led the Premier League table. He has formed a strong defensive partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
14. Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid, Germany)
Antonio Rüdiger arrived at Real Madrid in 2022 and quickly established himself as one of the most preferred options in the defence. The German footballer has consistently played a key role in the defence for Los Blancos.
So far, he has won the Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in his first season at the Bernabéu and is currently helping the team in the Champions League as he looks set to lift the trophy with two different clubs.
This season, Antonio Rüdiger has slotted seamlessly into Carlo Ancelotti’s plans at Real Madrid.
13. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, Canada)
Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies can deliver as a winger and in his left-back position. The 22-year-old's five-star performance against Barcelona in the 2020 Champions League remains one of the highest points of his career.
He is considered one of the best defenders in football due to his creativity, dribbling, and pace.
Since 2019, he has made a big impact at Bayern Munich and transformed into one of the most valuable players in Europe.
12. Jurrien Timber (Arsenal FC, Netherlands)
Jurrien Timber ranks in the top 10 best right-back defenders in the world amid the surge in his form at Arsenal. The Dutchman had a difficult first season at the club; he's since adapted to the system.
Timber adds some stability and flexibility to the team's defence. He is also applauded for his solidity and consistency in the team amid injury setbacks.
11. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain)
Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi is another name that cannot be forgotten on the list. He has been one of the regulars in the first team.
Pau Cubarsi is currently one of the best talents in world football and continued to stand tall in his position.
10. Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal)
Ruben Dias has evolved into one of the best defenders in the English Premier League. The Portuguese instantly impacted Manchester City, winning the Premier League Player of the Season in his first season.
Fast forward to 2023, and Rúben Dias is ranked among the best defenders in the world due to his defensive prowess and consistency.
This season, he has been a decisive factor in the defence for the Citizens as Pep Guardiola’s men press forward for more titles.
9. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia)
Josko Gvardiol is arguably one of the best players at Manchester City who immediately established himself under Pep Guardiola.
He is currently one of the best signings by Pep Guardiola lately. The Croatian international joined the Manchester-based club from RB Leipzig.
One of the high points of his career was during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he played a significant role throughout the competition with Croatia.
At the club level, he played an integral role as Manchester City went on to win the historic treble.
8. Jules Kounde (Barcelona, France)
Jules Kounde evolved from his time at Sevilla to become one of the most promising and reliable central defenders in the world. He is versatile and has been deployed at right-back.
7. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Nuno Mendes, what potential does he have? The Portuguese defender is one of the best players in the left-back position for Paris Saint-Germain. The French giants were attracted by his impressive statistics at Sporting CP.
He has been part of the team since 2022. The club’s top hierarchy signed the youngster as they looked to the future.
6. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
Marquinhos is one of the long-standing players at Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian centre-back has been part of the team since 2013.
Marquinhos is known for putting out quality displays, and his ability to play right-back or defensive midfielder makes him rank among the best defenders in world football.
5. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal FC, Brazil)
Another name that cannot be ignored on the top list is the Arsenal man Gabriel Magalhaes, who has continued to top the charts.
Gabriel Magalhaes has been one of the most consistent players at Arsenal, forming a defensive partnership with William Saliba, who also makes the list.
The Brazilian is known for his aggressive style of play. While taking the position as a defensive stalwart, he is shown to be offensive occasionally.
4. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan, Italy)
Alessandro Bastoni is one of the best centre-backs and a key member of the Inter Milan squad in the Italian Serie A. The Italian has proven to be a reliable player for the Nerazzurri in the current campaign.
Alessandro Bastoni is a player on the rise. He is highly talented and continues to gain more experience.
This season, he has made several appearances for Inter Milan. His performance has drawn interest from top European clubs.
3. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi has been on the rise for quite a while. The right-back showed his class at the last World Cup in Qatar, where he played a pivotal role in the defence for the Moroccan Men’s National Football team as they finished fourth in the tournament.
He has also been a consistent figure at Paris Saint-Germain since he arrived in 2021. He is a unique player who could play either left back, right, or as a winger.
Hakimi is a modern fullback whose capability goes beyond the defensive side but is effective in the offensive role.
2. William Saliba (Arsenal FC, France)
William Saliba has been transformed to be one of the best defenders in the world. The Frenchman has established himself as one of the key members of the Arsenal defence. He has been known for his versatility and physicality.
Statistics show that William Saliba has a success rate in one-on-one duels as well as playing offensively. That said, he is a defensive-minded player who is also reliable.
1. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool FC, Netherlands)
Van Dijk and Liverpool have endured a troubled season. The Dutchman has featured several times and has played more minutes in all competitions. His underwhelming form has undoubtedly changed the dynamics in the defence for the Reds.