A truly exceptional centre defender is a rare and invaluable asset in today’s game. The role requires a special combination of physical strength, cerebral acuity, and the ability to command a whole backline with accuracy. This is a challenging job that very few players have ever fully mastered, and even fewer still play at the highest level.
It’s not simple to choose the top 20 centre backs in the game right now. There is an abundance of defensive skill in the current game, but selecting the finest ones demands serious thought.
We’ve put together the definitive list of top centre halves after innumerable discussions and in-depth analysis of performances. You may disagree, but we’re not backing down since this is the undisputed ranking of the best.
20. Matthijs De Ligt
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19. Nathan Ake |
18. Murillo |
17. Amir Rrahmani
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16. Dayi Upamecano |
15. Federico Gatti |
14. Cristiano Romero |
13. Raul Asensio |
12. Jonathan Tah |
11. Lisandro Martinez |
10. William Saliba
Arsenal’s defence is now among the best in the Premier League thanks to William Saliba’s quick ascent. With her poise, composure, and lightning-fast reflexes, Saliba is capable of facing any assailant on the planet. Although there is intense rivalry for awards, Saliba’s name is unquestionably among the top defenders in the game because of his relationship with Gabriel Magalhães, which is the foundation of Arsenal’s title aspirations.
9. Marquinhos
Marquinhos has continuously shown his class as a defensive mainstay at PSG and as a juvenile prodigy at Roma. The Brazilian is intelligent and versatile, playing both defensive midfield and centre back. In his peak, Marquinhos is the backbone of PSG’s defence and a global leader for Brazil, solidifying his status as one of the finest.
8. Bastoni, Alessandro
Perhaps the most underappreciated defender in football is Alessandro Bastoni. A pivotal player in Inter Milan’s 2021 and 2024 Serie A championship victories, Bastoni is composed under duress and has perfect timing while facing difficulties. He is a suitable successor to the great Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci as Italy’s defensive torchbearer, and it’s time the world recognised him for what he is.
7. Huijsen, Dean
With Bournemouth, Dean Huijsen is causing a stir in the Premier League at the age of just 19. He consistently puts on strong performances, garnering an impressive 7.2 rating every game. This young prodigy is already drawing interest from major clubs, like as Real Madrid, and his future appears to be quite bright.
6. Rüdiger, Antonio
At Real Madrid, Antonio Rüdiger’s ascent to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary. Under Carlo Ancelotti, the German centre-back has achieved new heights after thriving at Chelsea. A pillar of Madrid’s defence, Rüdiger’s reliability was essential during a season marred by injuries, and his unwavering will has earned him a reputation as one of the game’s most renowned defenders.
5. Cubarsí Pau