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While it doesn't get much of the attention, the center-back is an increasingly important position in world football, especially as top teams now look to attack more and more, leaving them in need of reliable players they can count on at the back.
Unsurprisingly, the top defences in world football usually always have some of the best center-backs. A good center-back should be elite in the air and a strong physical presence, able to contain physical opposing strikers.
Similarly, he also needs the recovery speed and athleticism to contain increasingly nimble opposition front men. In addition, the ability to play out from the back is also very important, with more top sides looking to control the position battle. With these criteria in mind, let’s take a look at the top 5 center backs in world football:
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#5 Diego Godin
Diego Godin has been one of the most fearsome defenders in world football in recent years, boasting an incredible defensive record for club and country. He spearheads a fantastic Athletico Madrid defense, renowned for their ability to nullify prolific attacks and keeping clean sheets.
The Uruguayan has been the main man at the back for Atletico for 9 seasons now, giving the club some of its most successful ever campaigns. He has also been stellar for his country, registering an impressive 126 appearances for Uruguay.
Given his elite size and physicality, Godin is able to comfortably match up with almost any opposing forward. Whilst he is definitely strong physically and in the air, he is somewhat weak playing the ball out from the back. At 33, he isn’t getting any quicker either. He’s had a very stellar career but this is the last year I expect him on the list.
#4 Aymeric Laporte
Enjoying his first full season in the Premier League this year, Aymeric Laporte should be a shoo-in for the PFA Team of the Year. He has been absolutely fantastic for Manchester City, a stalwart in another fantastic campaign for the Citizens.
Having spent the better part of 6 seasons with Athletic Bilbao, Pep Guardiola decided to make him City’s record signing at the time. He has fit in absolutely perfectly in Pep’s system and is arguably the best ball-playing center-back in world football right now.
In addition to his elite passing ability, he also has a fantastic physical frame. He is able to stand up to the challenge of almost all opposing attackers, whilst also possessing a very reasonable pace. Laporte has unfortunately been absent from the French squad due to disagreements with Didier Deschamps, but on current form, he won’t remain out for long.
#3 Raphael Varane
Having won both the Champions League with Real Madrid and World Cup with France, 2018 was a fantastic year for Raphael Varane. After patiently waiting for Pepe to move on, he has formed one half of an excellent CB duo with Sergio Ramos.
Varane is essentially the perfect modern center-back and has everything you look for at the position. He stands at a very strong 1.91m and is more than capable of dealing with opposing strikers.
He is also a very adept passer and is more than capable of playing great through balls from the back. An elite athlete for the position, he also has the recovery speed to bail his teammates out of trouble. Whilst he has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, losing Varane would be a disaster for Los Blancos.
#2 Virgil van Dijk
After moving from Southampton just over a year ago, van Dijk has been a revelation at the heart of the Liverpool defense. He has almost single-handedly turned the unit into one of the best defenses in world football.
Despite a ton of injuries at the back this season, Virgil’s presence has ensured The Reds remain at the top. He is one of the more physically imposing defenders in the world, standing an impressive 1.93m tall.
Just like Varane, he also possesses elite athleticism for the position. In addition to his physical presence and strong heading ability, he has the recovery speed necessary to make quality last ditch tackles.
At just 27 years of age, van Dijk appears to have a lot left in the tank for both Liverpool and the Netherlands. If he can start piling up the domestic and international trophies, he could well claim the top spot on this list.
#1 Sergio Ramos
Given his incredible list of career accomplishments, no other man is right for the top spot besides Sergio Ramos. He has been the main man at the back for both Real Madrid and Spain since 2005, having had a phenomenal career in the 14 years since.
Ramos has been in the FIFPro World XI 9 times, and UEFA Team of the Year 8 times, both records for a defender. He has over 600 appearances for Real Madrid, also showing a goal threat with 84 goals to his name.
As the quintessential modern center-back, he has everything that you look for in the position. He has a phenomenal ability in the air, able to outjump opposing center-forwards and providing a great threat from corners.
His ability to play out from the back is among the world’s best, as is his elite athleticism and recovery speed for the position. Ramos’ list of accomplishments is incredible, featuring 4 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues and a Fifa World Cup with Spain. Combine this with his elite level of sustained play and he rightfully sits atop this list.
