Football championships are won by defence both historically and currently. History has shown that a solid centre-back partnership is the cornerstone of any successful team, even though offensive prowess frequently garners the most attention. The ability to stop opposition attacks and maintain control of the defensive third is just as important as scoring goals, whether it’s the unbreakable walls of former greats like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić at Manchester United, Carles Puyol and Gerard Piqué at Barcelona, or Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane at Real Madrid.
In order to provide an unbiased and comprehensive study, I carefully analysed a number of important aspects while evaluating the top 15 centre-back combinations in the globe in 2025. The most evident and initial metric was goals given up. Regardless of the system they play in, a great defensive pair should reduce the number of goals their side allows. Teams with a strong defence typically let up fewer goals per game, which has a direct effect on their league position and general performance.
I considered their team’s standing in the league table in addition to their defensive stats. A team’s defensive structure is mostly determined by its center-backs, and those who continuously lead teams to the top of their leagues should be given extra credit. Even though their individual stats are great, a centre-back duo that helps a team contend for the championship or secure a top-four finish is far more valuable than one that plays for a team in the middle of the table or faces relegation.
The league’s difficulty was another important consideration. Defenders face varying degrees of difficulty in different leagues. For instance, playing in the Premier League requires you to deal with fast-paced, high-intensity attacks every week, as opponents are always pushing and counterattacking. Center-backs in leagues like Serie A, on the other hand, must be extremely disciplined and positionally aware due to their tactical and defensive mindset. Conversely, La Liga demands that defenders be outstanding in possession and able to handle technically proficient attackers. Taking these distinctions into account, I evaluated performances appropriately; performing well in a physically challenging league, such as the Premier League or Bundesliga, is more significant than doing well in a league with less competition overall.
I also took into account the unique qualities of each defence, including leadership, pace, ball-playing skill, aerial supremacy, and tactical knowledge. The most successful collaborations are based on how well two skilled defenders work together, not merely how well they compliment one another. One enforcer who is physically strong and another who is skilled at reading the game, making interceptions, and starting assaults are frequently the ideal combination.
I have evaluated the top 15 centre-back combinations in world football (2025) taking all of these factors into account. Due to their teams’ success, reliability, and capacity to perform well under duress in their respective leagues, these two have demonstrated their superior defensive skills.
15. David Hancko and Gernot Trauner (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
Feyenoord now has a solid central defence thanks to Hancko and Trauner. Their collaboration has been crucial to preserving the team’s defensive stability in both home and international contests.
This collaboration has allowed them to qualify for the new Uefa Champions League format, defeating European powerhouses like Ac Milan and even Bayern Munich.
These defensive alliances have proved crucial to the victories of their individual clubs, demonstrating the value of unity, tactical awareness, and resiliency in contemporary football defences.
14. André Ramalho and Olivier Boscagli (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)
After defeating Juventus, they qualified for the round of 16 in addition to being the top team in their league.
Boscagli and Ramalho have been essential members of PSV’s defensive lineup. Their defensive prowess and synchronisation have been key factors in the team’s victories in the UCL and Eredivisie.
13. Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United FC,
Although Manchester United hasn’t been playing well since the start of the 2024–25 season, their performance as a team, particularly against elite teams, deserves recognition.
The defence of Manchester United has been strengthened by Martínez and de Ligt’s reunion. United’s defensive tactics have benefited greatly from their past experience working together and their complimentary playing styles.
Although Manchester United hasn’t been playing well since the start of the 2024–25 season, their performance as a team, particularly against elite teams, deserves recognition.
12. Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
The defensive power of Bayer Leverkusen has been largely attributed to Tah and Tapsoba. Their collaboration has been resilient and stable, which has greatly influenced the team’s Bundesliga results.
Bayern was believed to be in the running for the defender, but Tah has been strongly linked to a move to Barcelona.
According to the news, Tah’s decision to move to Barcelona after his Leverkusen contract expires in the summer is considerably more likely.
11. Clément Lenglet and José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
established a solid defensive partnership for Atletico Madrid. Atlético’s reputation for having a strong defence has been upheld in large part due to their combined experience and defensive solidity.
The most thrilling aspect of this collaboration and piece must be Lenglet’s return to form with Atletico Madrid.
10. Federico Gatti and Gleison Bremer (Juventus FC, Italy)
With their strong performances, Gatti and Bremer have strengthened Juventus’ centre defence.
Their collaboration has been essential to Juventus’ defensive tactics and has helped the squad win Serie A. Even so, they lost in the first round of the UEFA Champions League knockout round.
9. Dean Huijsen and Illya Zabarnyi (AFC Bournemouth, England)
For Bournemouth, Huijsen and Zabarnyi have shown promise as a defensive duo. Their youthful vitality and defensive prowess have been essential in improving the team’s Premier League results.
Next season, Bayern is thinking about starting Upamecano and Huijsen in central defence!
In fact, Bayern is keeping tabs on Dean Huijsen’s circumstances and contacted him in January to enquire about the conditions of his €60 million release clause.
8. Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Upamecano and Kim have emerged as the mainstays of Bayern’s defence under coach Vincent Kompany’s tutelage. Their remarkable passing accuracy and combined duel success rates have been crucial to Bayern’s domestic and European campaigns.
Bayern is presently concentrating on Dayot Upamecano’s contract extension, according to Fabrizio. Upamecano is anticipated to sign a new deal as the negotiations are going extremely well.
7. Murillo and Nikola Milenković (Nottingham Forest, England)
Milenković and Murillo’s collaboration has revolutionised Nottingham Forest’s defence. With just 19 goals allowed this season, Forest has an outstanding defensive record thanks in large part to Milenković’s leadership and aerial ability and Murillo’s defensive savvy.
As a team, Nottingham Forest is performing better than anyone could have predicted. Amazing!
6. Antonio Rüdiger and Asencio (Real Madrid, Spain)
Asencio’s breakthrough has been made possible by injuries to Madrid’s defence (Militao and David Alaba), which has greatly aided Real Madrid’s discovery. He has been likened to Real Madrid legend Ramos. He can therefore slot in early and flawlessly alongside the more seasoned Rudiger. Their collaboration has been crucial to preserving the team’s defensive stability in every competition.
5. Alessandro Bastoni and Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan, Italy)
In addition to his defensive prowess, Bastoni has contributed five assists this season. For Inter Milan, Bastoni and de Vrij have formed a strong defensive partnership. Their understanding and cooperation have been essential to Inter’s defensive tactics, which have helped them win in both Serie A and the European Championship.
4. Marquinhos and Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
PSG’s centre defence has been strengthened by Marquinhos’ extensive experience and the young skill of 23-year-old Pacho. PSG has changed both offensively and defensively since Pacho came from Frankfurt. In terms of defensive performance, their partnership has been essential to PSG’s domestic supremacy and lengthy runs in European competitions.
3. Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool FC, England)
Van Dijk’s leadership and Konaté’s athleticism have strengthened Liverpool’s defence.
Premier League’s top aerial duel win rates this season (70+ contested):
Ibrahima Konaté came in at 78.1%, James Tarkowski at 76.4%, Virgil van Dijk at 73.4%, Nikola Milenkovic at 70.4%, and Max Kilman at 68.6%.
Their collaboration has been essential to maintaining Liverpool’s defensive tenacity, which has made them one of the Premier League’s hardest defences to penetrate.
2. Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba (Arsenal FC, England)
The only centre back in the Premier League this season who hasn’t made a mistake that resulted in a goal is the best. This defensive partner is the finest in the Premier League and the second best in the world. If Arsenal’s attack was as good as their defence, they might have been the top team in the Premier League.
At the core of Arsenal’s defence is a strong relationship between Gabriel and Saliba.
They have maintained a solid defensive record by combining their toughness and poise, which has helped Arsenal perform competitively in both domestic and European games.
1. Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona, Spain)
It’s funny that they named them the best at keeping offside traps.
Despite playing against top players like Mbappe and Victor Osimhen, 18-year-old Pau Cubarsí has yet to be dribbled past in his Champions League career.
