Center-backs don’t often take on the headline-grabbing duties of helping their teams win titles, but they are undoubtedly some of the most important players on any elite football team. The role of the center-back has changed dramatically in recent decades; gone are the days when big defenders would rush forward to clear the ball as soon as it came to them. Today, centre-backs are not only asked to defend in the traditional way, but also to bring the ball out from the back, join the attack, and be comfortable holding the ball under pressure. After his heroics in the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool fans declared that Virgil van Dijk was the best centre-back in the world. But is he truly the best? Here are the 10 world best center backs in football right now, as determined by Wintips.
Ranking! 10 best center backs in the world of football
10. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool and Netherlands)
For many seasons, Virgil van Dijk was considered the gold standard for his generation of centre-backs. However, after a serious injury, the Dutchman struggled to find the form that made him an €84,650,000 player who truly deserved his price tag. But in the 2023/2024 season, VVD showed enough character to be included in the list of the 10 best centre-backs in the world.
A leading asset in defense and a menace in attack, Van Dijk is the second-best player in the current Premier League season when it comes to aerial duels won. He has been a regular in the top 10 for total aerial duels won in previous PL seasons.
9. Sven Botman (Newcastle United and Netherlands)
He is perhaps the most surprising inclusion in this top 10 center-back list, as such lists are usually reserved for players from top clubs. However, who can say that Newcastle United hasn’t become one of those clubs? Neither City nor Chelsea has pushed forward so quickly against lesser opposition, and Botman is one of the main reasons why NUFC has excelled.
Despite being just 23, Botman already has a title-winning season in a top-five league behind him. However, he did so in a PSG-dominated league. Lille’s trophy was won largely due to their solid defense. In the 2020/21 title-winning season, Botman also had the third-most touches of the ball in Ligue 1! He was fifth for progressed distance! The Ajax football school graduate has complemented his block-like physique with a good education and the hardships of being under pressure when he was younger. The sky is the limit, and he still has a long way to go.
8. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain & Brazil)
Marquinhos may not be a name that comes to mind often in 2023, especially due to some unfortunate international setbacks. However, looking at his career, there is no denying that he has been a great and consistent player over the years. Despite his difficult moments, Marquinhos has proven his class. He has had an impressive season, finishing fourth in Europe’s major leagues for distance covered, while also leading the way in his league. The Brazilian is not only a solid defender but also a vital cog in the attacking phase. He is currently ranked fourth in the league for passes into the final third, demonstrating his important role in both defense and attack.
With a long and successful career, Marquinhos has won eight Ligue 1 titles with PSG, 12 French domestic cups, and a Copa America with Brazil. At just 29 years old, he is already one of the best center-backs in the world, proving that he has plenty of potential to develop and conquer even bigger challenges in his career.
7. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona & Uruguay)
It seems that Barcelona’s rebirth is largely down to the club’s structure and DNA matching that of Gavi and Pedri. But Ronald Araujo is the key player who prevented the ship from sinking. The Uruguayan center-back, aged 24, arrived at the club’s B team in 2018 and has now made 124 appearances for the Blaugrana. The Uruguayan has ranked seventh in La Liga for three consecutive seasons in terms of aerial duels won.
Aside from the physicality that has distinguished him since arriving in Catalonia, Araujo has also developed other aspects of his game. Worthy of wearing a Barca shirt, he is ranked in the top 10 for pass completion in La Liga. This is now a must-have stat for any player regarded as a top center-back.
6. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid and Germany)
Antonio Rudiger has had a remarkable career transition, especially since joining Real Madrid. Before moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, he had already established himself at Chelsea. However, adapting to a new environment in La Liga has helped Rudiger develop further. Long regarded as one of the top center-backs in the game, Rudiger had no trouble adapting to the demands of different leagues, and he has significantly improved since joining Real Madrid. He is currently fourth in the league in terms of distance progressed, an impressive achievement.
Despite being a new arrival at Real Madrid, Rudiger has proven himself to be one of the most consistent and reliable players in the team’s defensive system, especially during transition periods. He has become an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, particularly in filling the right-back position – a key requirement for the Italian tactician. Rudiger’s solidity and strong defensive ability make him a player that opponents fear facing. Despite playing in a team full of technical stars, Rudiger stands out as a true warrior on the field.
5. Cristian Romero (Tottenham and Argentina)
For a long time, Argentina seemed to be missing a world-class center-back. When they finally got one, the nation, full of attacking talent, won the World Cup. Of course, Romero does not get all the credit, not even in defense, but his impact has been huge. Still only 25 and a World Cup winner, Romero heads into the 2023/24 season in a new partnership with a 'newcomer' who has taken Spurs to the top of the table. This follows after losing their best player ever.
Romero is what you'd expect from an Argentinian, let alone a defender. He's combative, passionate, and eager to get involved, but he combines these qualities with the tactics he learned in Italy.
In the 2020/2021 season with Atalanta, he was the second player with the most interceptions in the top five leagues! Last year, he held the same position in the interception rankings!
4. Min-Jae Kim (Bayern Munich and South Korea)
Kvaradona and Victor Osimhen have been making headlines since Napoli’s long-awaited Scudetto campaign, and Min-Jae Kim has since moved to one of Europe’s biggest clubs – Bayern Munich! During that Serie A title-winning campaign, Kim made the fourth most clearances in the league. A strong and completely dedicated defender of his own goal, Kim is also an attacking powerhouse. In his final year at Napoli, he led the league in touches and was second in progressive ball-carrying distance! He was also third in passes into the final third.
While he is currently in the top five in the Bundesliga for the same metric, he is also sixth in progressive passes. He is also the sixth most successful aerial duelist, having conquered Italy. With him, Bayern has acquired one of the most complete center-backs in the world.
3. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter & Italy)
Inter Milan has reached the Champions League final, something that no one saw coming. However, looking back, this success would not have been possible without the important role of the Bastoni-Barella duo, the Italian players who have become a solid backbone of the team under the leadership of Simone Inzaghi. Alessandro Bastoni, a left-footed center-back, is just 24 years old but has already shown remarkable maturity as the leader of Inter's defense. He has not only contributed greatly to protecting the goal but also shown excellent character while leading the team, embodying the spirit of a European champion.
Bastoni is a modern center-back, playing an important role in both defense and attack. He is in the top 5 players for distance carried forward in Serie A, showing outstanding movement and the ability to launch attacks. In addition, he is also in the top 7 players in the season for the number of touches, which reflects Bastoni's active participation in building the team's play. With excellent technical qualities and defensive ability, Bastoni is one of the top central backs today, fully embodying the class of his predecessor but still constantly improving.
2. Ruben Dias (Manchester City & Portugal)
While Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne have received much of the praise, along with Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s dominance starts at the back, where Ruben Dias has been instrumental. In the current Premier League campaign, and his second in England, Dias has proven his worth not only in defending but also in starting attacks. He is the 10th player with the most passes into the final third, an impressive statistic that shows his versatility. Dias is also in the top 10 in the Premier League for pass completion rate, proving that he is not only a solid center-back but also capable of getting involved in the team’s attacking play.
At just 26, Dias has captaincy experience at Benfica, where he won several trophies, and continues to enjoy success at Manchester City, having earned important trophies. Despite being a center-back, he stands out for his consistency in blocking and tackling. Dias is one of City's most reliable leaders, maintaining a solid defense and contributing significantly to the team's overall success.
1. John Stones (Manchester City and England)
Few would have believed it a few seasons ago, but what John Stones achieved in the 2022/23 season has cemented his status as the best center-back in the world. Calling Stones a modern center-back is an understatement, given that Pep Guardiola has assigned him a unique role. Stones plays as a defensive midfielder when his team has the ball and drops back as a regular center-back when defending. Many analysts believe this was the key tactical difference in the treble-winning season, with the addition of Erling Haaland also playing a significant role.
Stones ranks seventh in the top five leagues for pass completion rate! Moreover, he’s not a CB who pushes the ball to the goalkeeper. He’s almost like a 'space explorer' (a term coined for Thomas Muller), but he plays in central midfield. This unexpected player development has added to his existing aerial threat, as he was ranked first in Europe for winning aerial duels in the 2021/2022 season!
Conclusion
With a combination of individual talent and leadership, Alessandro Bastoni has proven himself to be one of the world best center backs in football today. Despite being only 24 years old, he has shown maturity and determination in every move, contributing significantly to Inter Milan's success in the Champions League. Bastoni's versatility in playing style, solid defensive ability, and attacking participation have made him an important pillar of the team. With his technical qualities and stability, Bastoni will continue to be one of the top central defenders in the future, bringing confidence to Inter and the Italian national team.
See more: Top 10 worst defenders in the Premier league history
