This article will tell you about the top 10 best defenders in the world right now.
It’s safe to assume that the job of the defender has evolved in recent years. While preventing the opposition from scoring remains the position’s key concept, influencing play by pinging the ball out from the back is popular.
We are unquestionably living in the era of the ball-playing defender, but inverted full-backs are becoming increasingly popular as managers seek tactical ways to get their teams to score goals and win matches.
Building a list of the world’s finest defenders is a difficult task because different sorts of players contribute different qualities to the game, but we’ve based our top 10 on long-term success as well as their general current level of competence while ignoring any blips in form.
10. Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
After a dismal period at Real Madrid, Theo Hernandez has been a revelation for AC Milan since arriving at the San Siro in 2019.
His attacking abilities are reflected in his 49-goal contributions from 145 appearances for Milan, and he is perhaps the most exciting left-back in world football because of his brilliant dribbles.
Hernandez has established himself as France’s first-choice left-back ahead of brother Lucas, and he even scored in the 2022 World Cup semi-final triumph over Qatar. He’s a real baller.
9. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Trent Alexander-Arnold enters the 2023-2024 season coming off the most difficult season of his career, which can be ascribed in part to Liverpool’s downturn in form, but that’s no reason to dismiss him.
The 24-year-old hasn’t exactly beaten Gareth Southgate at the international level, but his incredible range of passing and crossing has more than made his mark at club level.
He has been chastised for his defensive abilities, but his offensive contributions make him the modern-day full-back.
In less than 300 games for Liverpool, he has more than 70 assists and 16 goals, and his trophy cupboard is brimming with individual and team trophies.
8. Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
Eder Militao is certainly not the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a top-ten player, but he is a class act who has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s domestic and continental triumphs in recent years.
The 25-year-old has had to compete for a starting spot with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba – more on those two later – but his smart defensive intellect and turn of the foot make him a tough centre-back for forwards to confront.
Also Read: Top 10 greatest defenders of all time
Militao was part of Brazil’s Copa America-winning squad in 2019 and, critically, has age on his side to progress further on this list, albeit an ACL injury looks set to derail his current campaign.
7. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
Chelsea have looked vulnerable at the back since losing Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer to Real Madrid, and the 30-year-old has settled in like a duck to water at the Bernabeu.
The beauty of Rudiger is that he excels on both sides of the ball. He is at ease on the ball and drags the rest of the squad up the pitch; he has a nasty shot, seldom gets beat in one-on-one situations, and has the speed to catch runners in behind.
At the time of writing, a lack of international honours and league titles count against the Germany star, despite being an important component of Chelsea’s successful 2020/21 Champions League campaign.
6. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
The world’s best right-back? Certainly, without a doubt. Achraf Hakimi, 24, has previously played for four of Europe’s best clubs and won numerous trophies, including a Champions League, Serie A, and Ligue 1 crown.
Hakimi is a scary proposition for opposition full-backs, with pace to burn and an eye for goal, but he got an opportunity to prove his defensive talents during Morocco’s historic run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year.
5. John Stones (Manchester City)
John Stones emerged as a vital component of Manchester City’s treble-winning squad in 2022-2023.
Due to injuries and competition, the England international went from being a rotation option to one of Pep Guardiola’s first names on the team sheet thanks to his poise on the ball and ability to step into midfield.
Stones, 29, is one of the most decorated English players in the Premier League, having won five league titles and being named to the 2023 Champions League Team of the Season for his brilliant performance in the final.
4. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Manchester City spent more than £60 million and signed Nicolas Otamendi to get Ruben Dias from Benfica in the summer of 2020, but he has been a fantastic addition.
In his first season at the Etihad Stadium, he was voted Premier League Player of the Season as City conceded the fewest goals on the way to a comfortable title success, adding to trophies earned with Benfica and Portugal.
Dias appears to be an old-school centre-back in defensive circumstances, using his large body to outmuscle opponents, but it is in possession that he truly shines, thanks to his pinpoint passing and poise on the ball. A true gentleman.
3. Marquinhos (PSG)
When you think of PSG players in recent years, you think of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. Marquinhos has the oomph of his superstar teammates, but he’s an important gear in the machine and the team’s leader.
Since joining the French capital club in 2013, the 76-cap Brazil international has won 20 major trophies, including an Olympic Gold Medal and the 2019 Copa America with his country.
To gain a spot in one of the continent’s top teams, you have to be a bit special on the ball, but Marquinhos does the basics of defending to perfection, making him an incredibly dependable figure.
2. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk hasn’t been at his best for a time now, and it’s somewhat unjust that he will always be judged on his previously incredible standards. But the second half of 2023 has seen him return to his old form gradually.
The Dutchman was the final piece in Jurgen Klopp’s puzzle as Liverpool won the Premier League in 2020, as well as the Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup.
Also Read: Top 10 Highest Goalscorers In The World In 2023
The Reds’ poor 2022-2023 season can be ascribed in part to Van Dijk having his roughest season in a long time, but class survives, and he will be hailed as one of the Premier League’s best ever when he hangs up his boots.
1. David Alaba (Real Madrid)
The ‘Honours’ section of David Alaba’s Wikipedia page is absurdly extensive, demonstrating that he is the entire package.
After winning 10 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, the nine-time Austrian Footballer of the Year chose a free move to Real Madrid in 2021, where he played a key role in the club’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs that season.
If that wasn’t enough to persuade you that Alaba is the real deal, consider that he began his career as a left-back capable of playing further up in midfield before successfully transitioning into a ball-playing center-back.
