Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world

Who's the best centre-back in the world? We're sure you've got a picture in your head when we ask that question.

With Euro 2024 around the corner, we asked our team of football experts to assess which central defenders have the edge these days, taking ability, form and historic achievements all into account. There are plenty of different types of centre-back – from ball-players to wide centre-backs – and they're all under consideration.

Tell us @FourFourTwo how many of our list you agree with – there are other lists that we've compiled in other positions, too.

Along with centre-backs, we've ranked the best goalkeepers on Earth at current, while in defence, along with the best right-backs in the world and the best left-backs in the world.

There are all kinds of midfielders – and we've sifted through the best defensive midfielders in the world, these are the best central midfielders in the world and these are the best attacking midfielders in the world. 

We also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world.

Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world: 10. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona and Uruguay)

A typically bullish and aggressive South American, Ronald Araujo stands on the shoulders of giants and remains as one of Barcelona’s key men season after season. Extremely quick off the mark, the 25-year-old has quite the career ahead of him, despite already being a Spanish league and cup winner.

His nuisance for sniffing out danger earmarks him as one of the best young centre-back in Europe and Hansi Flick would be silly not to carve his team around the talented Uruguay international heading into next season.

9. Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal and Brazil)

A standout performer for Arsenal once again this season, Mikel Arteta’s sewing together of Gabriel and William Saliba makes them one of Europe’s best up-and-coming partnerships. The 26-year-old will soon be entering into his fifth season at the Emirates and his expansive defensive attributes make him one of the Premier League’s best in many metrics – and a valued member of Brazil's Copa America squad.

The Gunners are one of the most progressive teams when it comes to building from the back and the former Lille man has vision like a hawk, as well as being an attacking menace from set-pieces. A real joy to watch, week in, week out.

8. David Alaba (Real Madrid and Austria)

Capable of operating at both left-back and centre-back, David Alaba’s career at Bayern Munich saw him win ten German titles and two Champions League crowns before a move to Real Madrid came in 2021. Since then, his stock has risen even further, with the Austrian now trusted to marshal Carlo Ancelotti’s uber-talented backline.

The 31-year-old defender’s technical ability sees him stand out from the rest as his terrific career at the top level continues – though injuries this season mean that he won't be at Euro 2024 with Austria's squad. 

7. Nathan Ake (Manchester City and the Netherlands)

When Manchester City parted with a whopping £41million for recently-relegated defender Nathan Ake, heads began to turn. Four years on, the Netherlands international remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s super squad he has assembled and is one of the most unsung members of the Sky Blues side.

A natural playmaker and as composed as you are ever likely to see, the 29-year-old was unwanted by Chelsea and it is utterly baffling to wonder why. Another four-time Premier League winner, Ake is one of Europe’s best ball-playing centre-halves.

6. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil)

With nine domestic league titles to his name at PSG, Marquinhos’ continued influence at the Parc des Princes sees him make our list once again. At 30, the Brazilian international exudes calmness whilst making the art of defending look as easy as it can be.

With Copa America the summer task for Dorival Junior’s side to navigate through, Brazil are once again looking to joust Argentina from their perch and having the PSG in their backline will hugely help their endeavours. Into his 11th year in Paris, his influence has helped Luis Enrique’s side to silverware year after year.

5. John Stones (Manchester City and England)

A Barnsley boy turned superstar, John Stones’ status as a cult hero at the Etihad Stadium is more prominent than his Sheffield accent. Pep Guardiola has helped develop and nurture the talented Englishman into one of his finest projects, with his midfield cameos again helping City to yet another Premier League title this season.

It is hard to see how England will not succeed without the 30-year-old at the heart of their defence this summer, as the quest for international glory rolls around once more in Germany.

4. Ruben Dias (Manchester City and Portugal)

If you are looking for a tall, athletic defender who reads the game to perfection and can start attacks in a split-second, look no further than Manchester City star Ruben Dias. A now four-time Premier League winner, the 27-year-old remains one of the Sky Blues most prized assets in defence. 

Expected to feature heavily for the Selecao at Euro 2024 this summer, Portugal are quietly going under the radar after an unbeaten qualifying campaign, where Dias featured in all but one of their 10 outings. City parted with £60 million for the defender back in 2020 and that fee now looks more shrewd than ever.

3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool and the Netherlands)

It is hard to imagine the success Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool would have had in modern history without the colossal impact Virgil van Dijk has provided. A Premier League and UEFA Champions League winner, the 32-year-old remains of the world’s best in his position and a loyal member of the Reds backline. 

Praised by Lionel Messi of all people for his abilities in both defence and attack, the Netherlands international oozes class whenever he takes to the pitch, amplifying his cool aura that shines through so naturally when defending even against the toughest opponents. A genius.

2. William Saliba (Arsenal and France)

Not many could have foreseen the progress seen by William Saliba over the past two years but the France Euro 2024 squad member has become a stalwart in an ever-improving Arsenal side under Mikel Arteta.

He and partner Gabriel go together like chalk and cheese and despite his relatively young age of just 23, the centre-back is making waves around Europe. Another impressive campaign at the Emirates saw the Gunners keep 18 clean sheets, the best in the Premier League, with the former Saint-Etienne man playing every single moment in the division. Coincidence? We think not…

1. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid and Germany)

Tall, lightning quick and passionate in every sense of the word, Antonio Rudiger continues to solidify himself as one of the world’s best defenders. Having risen to stardom during Chelsea’s 2021 UEFA Champions League success, the 31-year-old now has a chance to add yet another European crown to his name along with his fellow Real Madrid team-mates. 

Stong in the air, a master of reading the game and dictating so from the back, Rudiger has come a long way since his humble begins in the German 3rd tier, with his best years arguably still ahead of him. He'll be integral for Germany this summer.