Top 10 Greatest Centre Backs In Football O All-Time
10. Kim Min-Jae
Kim Min-Jae
Kim Min-Jae, signed from Fenerbahce in the summer to replace Chelsea-bound Kalidou Koulibaly, has started his Napoli career with unerring consistency. The 25-year-old is a strong reader of the game and intercepts passes into opposition strikers. He's comfortable bringing the ball out from the back to Napoli's attacking stars.
These adjectives describe Cristian Romero's football style, but they don't tell the whole story. Romero is a typical Argie, constantly winding up opponents, but he's also an exceptional defender who's helped Tottenham in the past year. The 24-year-old is quick, strong, and comfortable with both air and ground balls.
William Saliba has fit right into Arsenal's defense and is performing almost faultlessly in 2022-23. The Ligue 1 young player of the year is aggressive in defense but calm on the ball. Watch his weaker-footed goal against Bournemouth in August.
Eder Militao continues to impress despite sharing responsibilities with Antonio Rudiger. Strong and agile, the Brazilian complements David Alaba at the heart of Real Madrid's defense.Militao won the Champions League and La Liga last season with Real Madrid. He's rarely caught out by balls in behind, and if he is, his recovery runs allow him to defend the ball again.
Dayot Upamecano has been Julian Nagelsmann's first-choice center-back this season. Athletically and physically unsurpassable, Upamecano's tactical awareness and decision making improve game by game. The 23-year-old Frenchman could dominate strikers for years.
Antonio Rudiger has adapted well to life in a Champions League-winning team's central defense. Rudiger is Carlo Ancelotti's preferred partner for David Alaba in Real Madrid's defense. Rudiger is a lightning-quick stopper who reads the game well and carries the ball forward with relentless intent.
Virgil van Dijk, once the world's best center back, has struggled this season. Liverpool still rely on him in some of the biggest games in world football.
Van Dijk's pace, intelligence, and ability to command the defense made Liverpool unstoppable when he joined in 2018. Van Dijk may not be performing well now, but he will in time.
Ruben Dias' Manchester City teammate has scored a baffling number of goals, stealing the spotlight. The Portuguese defender is a formidably unbeatable presence in City's defense, providing the steel and security that allows City's entertainers to attack.
With Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar allowed free reign at the top of the pitch, PSG has relied on captain Marquinhos to quell attacks through the huge holes left behind. The Brazilian defender has been dominant since inheriting Thiago Silva's armband. Marquinhos is a rock for the French champions. His positioning, physicality, and passing ability are superb.
David Alaba is one of the best centre-backs, left-backs, midfielders, and left-wingers in the world. Give him gloves and he'd probably keep a clean sheet, too. The Austrian was a mainstay in Real's La Liga and Champions League-winning backline last season, and he's started the new season strong.