Ranking of the best 15 center backs in world football (2025)

The role of the central defender has changed over time, with top defenders now not only world class in aerial combat and tackling, but also in their ability to keep the ball at their feet.

The new generation of centre-backs are essential to a team’s build-up play, and in some cases can make more passes than most midfielders, but who are the best players in the world at the back at the moment?

ranking factors

To rank the center backs in order, we considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well the player is performing

• Importance to the team – How much influence do you have on the team?

• Role – How unique is their skill set?

• Reputation – what others say about you

15

Willian Pacho

PSG and Ecuador

Willian Pacho has gone from strength to strength since joining PSG from Frankfurt in 2024 and now appears to be a regular at the Parc des Princes.

The Ecuadorian international is only 23 years old and is said to be the next player after Marquinhos that is “the wall that no one saw coming.”

PSG’s €40 million fee for Pacho looks like smart business, with the player’s market value already rising to €65 million.

14

Antonio Rudiger

real madrid and germany

Antonio Rudiger has gone from strength to strength since joining Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2022, and there are even rumors that he could return to Stamford Bridge.

Over the past 18 months, Rudiger has been praised by Carlo Ancelotti and Mesut Ozil, who said the German was “playing his best” and in his “prime years”.

However, he has missed the majority of the 2025/26 season so far due to a hamstring injury, causing him to drop down the rankings.

13

Eder Militão

real madrid and brazil

Real Madrid’s Eder Militao has been left off the list due to a serious injury in recent years. The Brazilian was hailed as the ‘best in the world’ at the back by manager Carlo Ancelotti in 2023 and has won multiple honors at the Bernabéu since 2019.

At 27 years old, Militao still has many high-level years ahead of him, and will strive to stay healthy in the coming seasons.

12

Dayo Upamecano

bayern munich and france

Dayot Upamecano, who partnered Kim Min-jae at the Allianz Arena, has transformed into Bayern Munich’s Mr. Reliable under coach Vincent Kompany.

Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund said that in 2025, the Frenchman “has become a leader” who will “play strongly and consistently at a high level”. At 26 years old, Upamecano appears to be in his prime.

11

If Guardiol

man city and croatia

Josko Gvardiol plays as a centre-back and sometimes left-back for Man City and Croatia.

Gvardiol, who played as a centre-back in his home country’s Nations League, became a key player under manager Josep Guardiola at the end of the 2024-25 season, with City winning five of their six Premier League games with the 23-year-old at the heart of their defence.

10

Good morning, Alexander.

naples and italy

With a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of 45 million euros, he is topped by Napoli’s Italian international Alessandro Bongiorno.

The 25-year-old is “exceptionally talented in one-on-one situations” and was key for Napoli under Antonio Conte, who won the Serie A title in the 24/25 season. Bongiorno could move up this list in the next few years if his rapid rise continues.

9

dean heisen

real madrid and spain

Dean Huyssen was one of the most sought-after defenders in the 2025 summer transfer window, with Real Madrid winning the race to sign the Spaniard from AFC Bournemouth.

Desired across Europe, Huyssen became a star player in the Premier League after leaving Juventus, with Thiago Pinto even saying that he would be the best central defender in the world within two years.

8

marquinhos

PSG and Brazil

Paris Saint-Germain icon Marquinhos is leading a new generation of stars at the Parc des Princes under manager Luis Enrique, and continues to maintain his own extremely high level.

Marquinhos, now 31, continues to be a regular in PSG’s young side, becoming the first player in the club’s history to start 100 games for PSG in the Champions League.

7

Ruben Diaz

manchester city and portugal

Ruben Dias will soon be entering his fifth year as a Man City player and remains a regular under manager Josep Guardiola, with Transfermarkt putting a star value of €65 million on the Portugal international.

Rated as good as Virgil van Dijk by Jamie Carragher 12 months ago, Dias’ form has fallen slightly at the Etihad in 2024/25, but his quality is undeniable.

6

mark gehi

crystal palace and england

Marc Guehi is becoming one of the most sought-after centre-backs in world football after his move from Crystal Palace to Liverpool failed in the summer of 2025.

Guehi, who is currently a regular in the England squad at Selhurst Park, is due to become a free agent in 2026 and has been linked with big clubs in Europe.

This shows how well Gehi have performed under manager Oliver Glasner, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield with Palace in 2025.