Top 10 Best Centre Backs in World Football in 2025

Top 10 Best Centre Backs in World Football in 2025

When choosing the best player on a football team, people’s first thoughts will always immediately start with the forwards, then move their way back through the midfield to the defence. This entire ideology leads back to the Ballon d’Or. The award over time has just become a popularity contest, usually between Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo and who achieves more and most importantly, who scores the most goals.

Most likely, this means that we rarely see any defenders or midfielders for that matter win the accolade for the world’s best player in recent years. However, many teams aren’t led to success through the attack alone, with an abundance of squads focusing on a top defence to build strong foundations before improving up the field.

Defenders, specifically centre backs, arguably play one of if not the most important role on the pitch, whether that be a composed player who can marshal and command the back line, or a centre half which is good on the ball and can be the key in starting an attacking transition.

So, in this piece, Football Park will be guiding you through the top 10 best centre backs in world football in 2025. Our ranking factors will be based on a combination of the importance of the player within their team and the success of their team.

10. Dean Huijsen – Real Madrid

The 20-year-old starts this list, and it has been a hugely successful past 15 months for the Spaniard. Huijsen started last season with a move to Bournemouth from Juventus after a somewhat successful loan with Roma the season prior. At first the expectations for Huijsen were low, although he showed a lot of promise.

Fast forward 12 months and he played a pivotal role in the Cherries back line, as he helped them to their highest Premier League points total, and equalled their best league position. Following this brilliant individual campaign, he had many teams lining him up for a big summer move. Enter Real Madrid. Los Blancos decided to pull the trigger on Huijsen’s £50m release clause, beating the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea to his signature.

He is a highly talented, two-footed ball-playing centre back, something rare to see in modern football. His attributes fit in perfectly with the way Xabi Alonso wants his team to play football, someone who isn’t afraid to get some touches on the ball either, as he managed 304 touches in his first three La Liga appearances - only Cesc Fabregas managed more in the same three-match period. He is also very composed when doing so, helping build up calculated attacks and dominate the ball.

304 - Dean Huijsen has made 304 touches in LaLiga 2025/26, a record surpassed by only one player after his first three matches in the competition since the 2005/06 season: Cesc Fàbregas with FC Barcelona in 2011 (311). Starring. pic.twitter.com/RdWMEtb8oY

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 3, 2025

9. Ruben Dias – Manchester City

Next up is Manchester City’s Ruben Dias. There is no doubt that the Portuguese centre half hasn’t performed at his peak for an extended period of time now, however, his ability cannot be dismissed. As they say, “form is temporary, class is permanent.” Now, this might be cliché, however, it is true.

Just 12 months ago or slightly longer, Dias would have certainly been in the top five in this list, and even now he is still the sixth highest value centre back in the world, according to transfermarkt. Despite his dip in form over recent months, it has also been a case of the entire team not playing to their ability so we can’t mark him down too much.

Furthermore, his importance in that Citizens back line is undeniable. For instance, he helped them win the treble just two years ago, which then led to Super Cup and Club World Cup titles too. When Pep Guardiola is able to get that team firing again, expect Dias to be one of those players excelling in their roles.

Ruben Dias is a very intelligent defender who stands out for his high level of anticipation skills. The effectiveness of individual defensive actions strongly depends on being in the right place at the right time: @rubendias

via @mfbnTV @slawekmorawskipic.twitter.com/9ihUfrAFDf

— Mindfootballness (@mfbnvideos) February 17, 2025

8. Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona

Like Huijsen, Pau Cubarsi’s rise to success is something special. Coming up through La Masia at around the same time as Lamine Yamal, it has also taken him just as little time to make an incredible impact on the team.

At just 18 years old, to already be getting words of praise by the likes of Virgil van Dijk, someone who Cubarsi may well have idolised at some point is credit to his talent and hard work. His rapid rise almost makes the youngster untouchable at the moment in terms of a transfer. He is already the most expensive centre back in terms of market value, at a mouth-watering €80m.

Hansi Flick has even said “What Cubarsi is doing is just as crazy as Lamine Yamal,” and there is no doubt that he will only add to his domestic treble from last season and Olympic Gold Medal as he looks to add the Champions League and World Cup winners' medals to his collection.

🚨⭐️ Virgil van Dijk: “Pau Cubarsí is just exceptional. I think he has enormous talent, a special player”.

“At just 18 years old and playing at this level, it's already impressive."

"He also looks for long passes, he's good at that too”, told @martinezferran. pic.twitter.com/94bTISoSts

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 21, 2025

7. Ibrahima Konate – Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk has had many centre back partnerships during his time at Liverpool, but Konate seems to be the one who he sees the most success with. Since the Frenchman’s arrival at Merseyside in 2021, he has helped both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot immensely whenever asked to fill the gap in the defence that he soon made his own.

Konate’s strong physique is an important trait for a Premier League centre back to have, especially when tasked to go head-to-head with someone like Erling Haaland. During last season’s title-winning campaign, his partner in crime van Dijk called the now 26-year-old “outstanding,” and although he has had an underwhelming start to the campaign on an individual front, there is no doubting his quality when he is on his a-game.

Ibrahima Konaté has the best aerial duel success rate of any defender to contest 10+ aerial duels in the Premier League this season (90%).

Is he becoming just as important to Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk? 🤔

— Squawka (@Squawka) September 26, 2024

6. Gabriel Magalhaes – Arsenal

The Brazilian forms one half of the Premier League’s most stubborn and resilient centre back partnerships, with the other (spoilers!) half to follow shortly. Over the last few seasons, Gabriel has seriously excelled alongside William Saliba in Arsenal’s defence, and it has made them one of the hardest duos for even some of the world’s best attacks to break through.

As an example, they have faced Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, only conceding once – a horrible one-off mistake – through 180 mintues of football. They are both so commanding and stubborn in their own right, just loving every clean sheet they collect. It has kept continuing into this season, with the only goal they have conceded in 270 minutes of football so far coming from an incredible free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.

One thing that is still missing from the pair's portfolio is a major honour to show for their efforts. This has largely come down to key players going forward struggling from injuries or not finding consistency, because Gabriel is certainly doing his job and more. He even contributes his fair share in the final third, posing an enormous threat in the box, scoring many crucial goals from set-pieces.

🇧🇷Gabriel 24/25 - Video thread
Perhaps the most underrated CB in the world, especially among neutrals and rival fans.

1⃣ Box defending
2⃣ Long passing
3⃣ Aggressive defending
4⃣ Progressive passing
5⃣ Goals & Chances

1⃣ Box defending 👇pic.twitter.com/PAkF7ndQ4s

— 🇳🇴 kimmoFC (@kimmoFC) June 2, 2025

5. Marquinhos – Paris Saint-Germain

A leader both on and off the pitch. Marquinhos has been ever-present within PSG’s back line since 2013, starting as a teenager and now standing tallest whenever his team needs him, showing his commanding presence through his leadership within the defence.

He has been PSG’s only player remaining in the starting line up throughout their large-scale rebuild over the past few seasons, yet he has never showed signs of a willingness or desire to leave and has always had faith in what the higher ups are trying to achieve. Last season, the Brazilian led from the front, helped his youthful and energetic teammates stay composed in the important moments, which led to his and PSG’s historic first Champions League win over Inter Milan in May.

His impact on the team and consistency of showing his quality in all-important moments is what lands him so high up on this list, and his ever-present nature in the team which has dominated France so much in the past decade.

Marquinhos made at least 20 more clearances than any other player in the #UCL in 2024/25.

A ball magnet in the box. 🧲 pic.twitter.com/sfJ8vIzrc8

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 1, 2025

4. Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid

Entering our top four now and taking this spot is another Real Madrid player – Antonio Rudiger. Known most for his antics, whether it is him running with his knees up high, or he has his tongue out trying to cause a distraction, he is nothing short of chaotic.

This is just one of his ways in getting a small win against an opponent, and Rudiger is one of the best when it comes to mind games. Combine this with his stubborn and brick wall defensive style, it makes him an absolute beast on his day.

Following his move to the Bernabeu from Chelsea in 2022, he has been a key figure in the back line for Los Blancos. He has had a significant impact so far in Madrid, winning La Liga and his second Champions League title in just his second season there too.

🗣️ Rudiger: "If I score more goals, they can keep slapping me, don't worry. But they will score, so I will definitely get back at them." 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/eey8aHeREt

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 17, 2024

3. Alessandro Bastoni – Inter

The first and only Italian on this list, we have Alessandro Bastoni. The Inter Milan centre half has certainly gone under the radar for his defensive quality. His intelligence in the way he can read the game while deployed in a three-back or back four is what makes him so good.

On top of that, his ball playing ability is second to none, and his awareness of the game is something that follows similar traits to that of both Leonardo Bonucci and Paolo Maldini respectively.

Bastoni has just been plying his trade quietly in Milan, not taking the headlines, but still being that linchpin that has helped Inter win multiple domestic titles over the past five years, as well as guiding the Nerazzurri to two Champions League finals.

🗣️ Micah Richards: Bastoni? "He has everything in his game, in his reading of the play, and in how he covers the areas of the field, it is perfect." pic.twitter.com/7v4yImxIRV

— Nerazzurri Society (@nerazzurriSoci_) June 25, 2024

2. William Saliba – Arsenal

William Saliba plays the second half in his partnership with Gabriel. The pair pose a dangerous centre back pairing that very few players in the world would be able to take on and win. His partnership with his Brazilian counterpart is world-class to say the least, and the best pairing we have seen from the Gunners since the Invincibles duo of Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure.

Arsenal’s defensive recruitments simply out match their attacking talent by a country mile, and it has seriously held back the portfolio of the Frenchman. This is the main factor holding him back from the top spot in this list. Real Madrid have come calling before, but Arsenal won the battle and convinced him stay.

But I think it is safe to say that if they call again, Saliba will be off in order to be able to retire with a serious trophy cabinet. The 24-year-old still has a lot of time ahead of him, but the elite partnership he has built at the back cannot leave Arsenal without achieving a serious major piece of silverware.

The Gabriel-William Saliba partnership is so strong that they deserve to win a Premier League 🧱

(w/ @Culturecams, @LyesBouzidi10) pic.twitter.com/UCxP4rtS24

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2025

1. Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk ages like fine wine in the centre of Liverpool’s defence. Commanding, stubborn, and scary are all perfect words to describe the Dutchman’s defensive style. With all the special attacking talent constantly emerging, with the rapid pace and nimbleness, it has become very difficult for modern centre backs to master and gain the correct knowledge to know how to stop them – an art that van Dijk has mastered to perfection, however.

His confidence on the pitch is limitless, as he simply backs himself to the brink that the forward will not get past him. It might sound cocky or over-confident, but we have to remember this was the man who was dribbled past just once in 56 games for both club and country back in 2018/19.

The 34-year-old is also a monster at commanding the penalty area at both ends of the pitch. Whether it is winning an aerial duel to get the ball out of danger or it is coming up with a clutch goal, you can always be assured that he will almost always win the duel he is tasked with.

The way he coped with the then record fee for a defender at £75m in 2017 has been immense. He has matured superbly as time has gone on, helping the Reds win their sixth Champions League title, their first two Premier League titles, and multiple other domestic trophies, and there is simply no one near him right now in terms of defensive quality, leadership and success.

Matip out for the entire campaign, Robertson missing 22 games, Trent 21...

Van Dijk has held the whole thing together.

Won 83% of his tackles, 84% of his aerial duels (the best record in Europe)...

The best defender in the world this season! pic.twitter.com/Yre0Ug7iXP

— Dougie Critchley (@DougieCritchley) March 21, 2024