Defenders may not always get the same recognition as their attacking counterparts, but they are an integral part of any successful soccer team. In this article, we will be counting down the top 10 best defenders in the world for 2023.
These players have proven themselves as some of the best at their position, with impressive performances for their clubs and national teams. So if you’re a fan of defense and want to know who the best of the best are, keep reading to find out more!
Top 10 Best Football Defenders in The World 2023
Defenders are classified into four types: center-back, sweeper, full-back, and wing-back. In most modern formations, the full-back and center-back positions are vital. The sweeper and wing-back positions are more specialized for specific formations according to the manager’s play style and adaption.
Center-backs are well-known for their ability to win aerial duels. Now, Let’s dive deep into our list of Top 10 Best Defenders In The World 2023.
1. Ruben Dias
Top in the list among the Best Defenders In The World 2023 is Dias was selected FWA Footballer of the Year, Manchester City Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and Champions League Defender of the Season in a season that cemented his position as the best central defender in English football. Today, he stands first among the list of best defenders in the world of all time.
Ruben Dias Stats In The Premier League:
| Games | 32 |
| Clean Sheets | 15 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.1 |
| Inputs P/P | 0.8 |
| Clearances P/P | 2.8 |
| Touches | 93.4 |
Ruben Dias swept the awards season of 2020/21, taking up the Football Writers’ Association and Premier League Player of the Season honors following a stellar first season at Manchester City.
The 24-year-old went on to discuss the significance of wanting to reach the very top and seek the next challenge, relating the phrase to his move to Manchester City and his constant ambition to hit new heights under Pep Guardiola.
According to Ruben Dias, “I believe I am in a good mood. It’s one of those settings where you shouldn’t go if you’re there to act. If you’re there because you want the challenge and to be the best, go for it!”
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be there, particularly in the team where I am.”
Ruben Dias gained several individual honors during his debut season in English football, owing to the quality of his performances, which were mostly shared with John Stones at the heart of the City defense.
Before the start of the season, he was named to City’s captaincy, and he has continued to be a striker’s worst nightmare throughout the Sky Blues’ first 11 Premier League games to earn the position of Best Defenders In The World 2023.
2. Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a best central defenders for Serie A club Juventus as well as the Italy national team, he is second Best Defenders In The World 2023 as per our research. Stay tuned and don’t miss out on Sportmob’s top facts about Leonardo Bonucci.
Leo Bonucci Stats In Series A:
| Games | 26 |
| Clean Sheets | 2 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.3 |
| Inputs P/P | 0.7 |
| Clearances P/P | 2.5 |
| Touches | 66.8 |
Bonucci is well-known for his technical abilities on the pitch, as well as his ability to begin an attack from the back with long passes.
Bonucci is an Inter Milan product who began his professional career there and quickly established himself as a valuable player. This article contains transfer market statistics for Leonardo Bonucci.
You may be interested in Leonardo Bonucci’s personal life in addition to his professional career and details. The footballer from Italy is married.
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Martina Maccari, a former model and blogger, is Leonardo Bonucci’s wife. She gave birth to Leonardo Bonucci’s children, and the couple and their children had a wonderful life together.
3. Marquinhos
Marquinhos, the captain of Paris Saint-Germain, played the entire 90-minute match against Olympique Lyonnais. The Brazilian international won five of eight duels blocked two shots and intercepted two passes.
Marquinhos Stats In League 1:
| Games | 25 |
| Clean Sheets | 13 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.1 |
| Inputs P/P | 0.1 |
| Clearances P/P | 2.9 |
| Touches | 78.7 |
Late Football Club expert Alain Roche complimented the 27-year-performance, old’s believing that Marquinhos is possibly PSG’s best defender in history.
“What about the data on admitted flaws?” It demonstrates a multitude of things, including intelligence in its location. It is finished. He is full of life, explosiveness, and speed, and he is not hesitant to make contact and duel. He is well aware that his speed will allow him to catch up to everyone. He has excellent timing and anticipation, and he is never on the ground, so he is always in a favorable position. “He’s fantastic, and he scores as well; it’s breathtaking,” Roche added.
“It emanates tranquillity.” There are defenders who make attackers fearful, but he makes the attacker impotent. You get the sensation that the assailant in front of him has no idea what to do. When attackers run into him, you can tell how much respect they have for him. He always lifts them up without any conflict or sticking. He is, in my opinion, Paris Saint-best Germain’s defender since the club’s inception. This guy can do it all.”
Les Parisiens will rely on Marquinhos as they prepare to play Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 next month in the hopes of making a deep run.
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4. David Alaba
It’s been a five-year process, but Pep Guardiola’s forecast that Bayern Munich all-rounder David Alaba can become one of the world’s top center-backs may have come true.
David Alaba Stats In Bundesliga:
| Games | 32 |
| Clean Sheets | 7 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.3 |
| Inputs P/P | 1.2 |
| Clearances P/P | 1.8 |
| Touches | 80.9 |
“He’s a great talent,” current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remarked of Alaba midway through his three-season tenure as record champions between 2013 and 2016. “He can play in every situation. He’s among best defenders in epl 2023. He’s speedy, good in the build-up, and always focused. He has the potential to be one of the top center-backs in the world. He’s a fantastic gift for Bayern.”
Few players are as adaptable, much alone as adept in such a wide range of positions, as Alaba, who has enough layers to satisfy an army of six-year-olds in a game of pass the parcel.
Joining Bayern Munich as a talented midfielder at the age of 15, the Austrian handyman was remade as one of the world’s finest left-backs by Louis van Gaal in 2010, via a loan spell at Hoffenheim.
Under Guardiola, he played as a central midfielder, winger, and left-sided center-half; Carlo Ancelotti followed in Bayern’s footsteps by deploying the Austrian in a central defensive role, and Niko Kovac shifted his trusted left-back inside for the trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 10 of the 2019/20 season out of necessity rather than design.
First-choice sentries Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernandez were both out with long-term ailments at the time.
5. Stefan Savic
On Wednesday night, the Atletico Madrid defender was unrecognizable from the shy youngster who moved to the Etihad Stadium in 2011.
Eric Garcia Stats In The EURO:
| Games | 33 |
| Clean Sheets | 16 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.3 |
| Inputs P/P | 1.2 |
| Clearances P/P | 3.1 |
| Touches | 62.4 |
Stefan Savic had few friends at Manchester City long before his contentious performance for Atletico Madrid in their two-leg Champions League quarter-final clash.
The contrast between the bashful, fresh-faced 20-year-old who arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2011 and the growling, frightening leader of this week could not be starker.
When Savic joined City from Partizan Belgrade more than a decade ago, there was an unusual inkling of the player he would become, but nothing compared to the frightening henchman who now leads the Spanish champions.
6. Eder Militao
Although Milito is a huge and strong defender, he is highly athletic for his posture, which he displays in his jumping, making him very firm in the air, but also for his mobility, which is quite good for a big defender like him.
Eder Militao Stats In Laliga:
| Games | 14 |
| Clean Sheets | 6 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.4 |
| Inputs P/P | 1.4 |
| Clearances P/P | 2.9 |
| Touches | 67.4 |
Milito is an example of a modern defender; in addition to his defensive talents, he has the speed to play with a lot of space in his back, allowing him to reclaim possession during a counterattack.
Milito is asked to contribute to Sao Paulo’s offensive game because he primarily plays as a right back.
Milito was still battling to divide his energy in the appropriate way to contribute both defensively and offensively when he joined the first team.
But he improved his on-the-ball movement significantly and has transformed into a true threat on the right flank with his rushes and crosses.
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7. Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane returned to Manchester United’s defense for tonight’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid and helped his team earn a critical point.
Raphael Varane Stats In Laliga:
| Games | 31 |
| Clean Sheets | 12 |
| Interceptions P/P | 1.2 |
| Inputs P/P | 0.7 |
| Clearances P/P | 3.5 |
| Touches | 66.5 |
There was much debate before the game as to whether manager Ralf Rangnick would reinstate Varane, who has won the competition four times with Real Madrid.
To the starting lineup and, if so, who would make way for Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire?
Rangnick surprised everyone by selecting all three, with Lindelof operating as a right back in possession and pushing back inside when defending.
And, despite the fact that the experiment appeared to backfire after Atletico Madrid took the lead in the seventh minute.
Varane and his teammates did not concede again.
8. Pau Torres
Torres has evolved into one of the top defenders in La Liga, as well as a regular starter for Spain. Because of his talent, the 25-year-old will be in the center of a transfer tug-of-war when the window reopens.
Pau Torres Stats In Laliga:
| Games | 33 |
| Clean Sheets | 10 |
| Interceptions P/P | 0.7 |
| Inputs P/P | 0.5 |
| Clearances P/P | 3.3 |
| Touches | 71.9 |
Torres has spent his whole career at Villarreal, including at the junior level, with the exception of a loan spell at Malaga during the 2018/19 season.
Torres fits the mold of the now-traditional ball-playing Spanish center-back, similar in possession to Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos.
Though he lacks the aggressiveness of a Ramos, his talent on the ball is undeniable as he assists Unai Emery’s side in building play from the back.
What he does have going for him physically is his height (6ft 4), which allows him to dominate strikers aerially. Even with his tall frame, he displays a graceful demeanor when advancing from the defense.
9. John Stones
The 27-year-old assisted City in winning the Premier League and reaching their first Champions League final, earning him his first England call-up since 2019 for World Cup qualifiers in March.
John Stones Stats In Premier League:
| Games | 22 |
| Clean Sheets | 14 |
| Interceptions P/P | 0.8 |
| Inputs P/P | 1.0 |
| Clearances P/P | 2.5 |
| Touches | 86.9 |
Stones has made the most of his second chance with England, playing with such poise and maturity that he enters the final as one of the tournament’s top defenders.
Stones was unflappable in a back four alongside Harry Maguire or Tyrone Mings, or in a three-man defense as England held five consecutive clean sheets to begin the tournament until conceding in the semi-final against Denmark.
Stones is the only player to have played in all six games for England, breaking a record previously held by World Cup winner Bobby Moore, whose best run for the team was four consecutive clean sheets.
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10. Milan Skriniar
According to Italian media, Milan Skriniar has solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s top defenders after adjusting to life in a back three.
Milan Skriniar Stats In Series A:
| Games | 32 |
| Clean Sheets | 12 |
| Interceptions P/P | 0.9 |
| Inputs P/P | 1.5 |
| Clearances P/P | 2.7 |
| Touches | 78.5 |
According to Calciomercato.com, the Inter center-back is among the top ten players whose transfer valuations have increased the most this season, currently worth €55 million after starting the season at €50 million.
Skriniar appeared to be on his way to Tottenham Hotspur last summer after falling below Diego Godin in Antonio Conte’s defensive pecking order.
However, the 26-year-old has since reclaimed his place in Inter’s starting lineup and was rewarded for his efforts on Thursday by being named Slovakia’s player of the season for the second year in a row.
According to CM, Skriniar has re-established himself as one of the finest man-markers in Serie A this season, but he has also improved his game after learning to play in a three-man defense.
“If he was a back-four specialist before, he has now acquired a complete level of maturity,” they contended.
Skriniar joined Inter from Sampdoria for €34 million in 2017, but the defender is clearly worth significantly more now.
More Best Defenders in The World 2023
To Name 10 more best defenders to take our list to Top 20 Best Defenders in The World 2023 is as follows:
- Ruben Dias
- Leonardo Bonucci
- Marquinhos
- David Alaba
- Stefan Savic
- Eder Militao
- Raphael Varane
- Pau Torres
- John Stones
- Milan Skriniar
- Gerard Pique
- Sergio Ramos
- Giorgio Chiellini
- Cristian Romero
- Virgil Van Dijk
- Alessandro Bastoni
- Thiago Silva
- Matthijs de Ligt
- Juan Foyth
- Eric Garcia
Conclusion
That concludes the Top 10 Best Defenders in the World in 2023. So, here is our unique ranking of the world’s finest football defenders right now.
We hope you enjoyed our selection of best defenders in the world in 2023. Also, please share your thoughts on this list in the comments section below.
Best Defenders In The World 2023 Infographic
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