In the midst of so many talented players in football, it is very difficult to choose the best defenders in the world in 2024. The big European leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga are home to some of the most talented center-backs and full-backs, who have the ability to stop time with their exquisite defensive skills and attacking prowess. Players like Kyle Walker, Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger, and Alessandro Bastoni have already listed themselves in the elite league of legendary defenders.
Many young players such as William Saliba and Josko Gvardiol are taking aggressive yet calculated steps forward to be at the top with their dazzling performances. Some of these stars have already won almost everything in club football including domestic leagues and UEFA Champions League. Still, they are dreaming of achieving more success in order to place themselves in the same league as the best defenders.
Ranking factors
With the youngsters going toe-to-toe with the veterans in all competitions, it is a difficult task to make a list of the top 10 best soccer defenders in 2024. However, we have focused on some of the necessary factors to choose our top 10 in this regard. In our ranking, the main areas are as follows:
- Number of trophies won
- Ranking of their teams
- Influence on team’s success
- Consistency
Also read: Top 10 Greatest Defenders of All Time: Legends of the game
List of Best Defenders in 2024 (top 10)
| Player name | Nationality | Age | Club | Appearances | Clean Sheets |
| 1. Virgil van Dijk | Netherlands | 33 | Liverpool | 19 | 10 |
| 2. Antonio Rudiger | Germany | 31 | Real Madrid | 20 | 8 |
| 3. William Saliba | France | 23 | Arsenal | 20 | 8 |
| 4. Ruben Dias | Portugal | 27 | Manchester City | 18 | 6 |
| 5. Josko Gvardiol | Croatia | 22 | Manchester City | 24 | 6 |
| 6. Alphonso Davies | Canada | 24 | Bayern Munich | 16 | 9 |
| 7. Trent Alexander-Arnold | England | 26 | Liverpool | 19 | 11 |
| 8. Alessandro Bastoni | Italy | 25 | Inter Milan | 20 | 9 |
| 9. Kyle Walker | England | 34 | Manchester City | 12 | 3 |
| 10. Gabriel Magalhaes | Brazil | 26 | Arsenal | 16 | 6 |
10. Gabriel Magalhaes
One of the best signings in the history of Arsenal, Gabriel has become a rampaging football defender in recent years. The Gunners have been defensively rock solid after the Brazilian center-back joined them in 2020. He is just getting better and better at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League last season, thanks to a balanced defensive performance of Gabriel.
The 26-year-old Brazilian complimented his revolutionary performances after scoring against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur this season. His long legs and defensive awareness have kept the attackers at bay. Gabriel has everything in his tank to become one of the greatest defenders in the history of soccer.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 55 | 16 |
| Goals | 4 | 2 |
| Clean Sheet | 24 | 6 |
| Trophies Won | FA Community Shield | – |
9. Kyle Walker
The second on the list of the greatest soccer defenders is Kyke Walker of Manchester City. The English full-back has revolutionized the idea of defense under Pep Guardiola. The veteran soccer player is extremely fast and has the ability to exploit the opponents by using the space in a controlled way. He is one of the key figures in Manchester City and played a crucial role in the club’s recent successful campaigns where they won multiple Premier League, EFL Cup and FA Cup titles.
It looks like his age is working like a fine wine as he is getting better by every passing season. The way he is operating on the right flank, he will probably stay at the highest level for a few more years.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 54 | 12 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Clean Sheet | 17 | 3 |
| Trophies Won | Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Club World Cup | – |
8. Alessandro Bastoni
Alessandro Bastoni is probably the main reason behind Italy’s defensive supremacy across all competition. Even Inter Milan has been a defensive powerhouse since Bastoni became the leader of their backline. The 25-year old is a complete package of defensive art and is difficult to beat in aerial and ground battles.
He is the undisputed king of defense in Italy, demonstrating supreme work ethic. However, he is not only content in supplementing power to the epicenter of Inter Milan backline, but also a constant threat to opponents during corners and indirect free-kicks. His undiluted defensive workload has helped Inter to win their 20th Serie A title this year. Bastoni will surely establish himself one of the greatest defenders ever in football.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 46 | 20 |
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Clean Sheet | 24 | 9 |
| Trophies Won | Serie A, Supercoppa Italiana | – |
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold
It is no surprise that Trent Alexander-Arnold has caught the attention of Real Madrid recently. The Spanish club, who is looking for a top-rated right-back in the transfer market, has set their sights on the Liverpool defender. The Reds’ recent domestic and European successes have come when the English international was in full swing. Due to a lack of defensive awareness, he has drawn criticism recently, but it doesn’t change the fact that he still remains the best in the business.
The young defender has already scored more than 5 goals in club football through clinical free-kicks. On his watch, Liverpool has been less vulnerable defensively on the right wing.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 44 | 19 |
| Goals | 4 | 1 |
| Clean Sheet | 15 | 11 |
| Trophies Won | EFL Cup | – |
6. Alphonso Davies
Given the recent stats, Alphonso Davies is one of the most highly talented players in the world right now. Despite coming to Bayern Munich in 2019, the Canadian defender has massively impacted the German club’s journey in recent years. His speed, acceleration and strength make him highly functional in both defense and attack.
The attacking and defensive exploits of Davies have also taken the results of Canada to new heights in international football. Davies has made sure that he will stay as one of the best defenders in the world in the upcoming years as well.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 57 | 16 |
| Goals | 4 | 0 |
| Clean Sheet | 18 | 9 |
| Trophies Won | None | – |
5. Josko Gvardiol
The Manchester City full-back is our next pick on this legendary list. After making waves in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, the Croatian defender signed with Manchester City in 2024. Since then, he has been dropping incredible performances regularly.
Gvardiol was instrumental in bolstering City backline, contributing significantly in the club’s treble winning campaign. His versatility has allowed Pep Guardiola to implement brilliant tactical ideas into the games. His ability to play in the positions of center-back and right-back has made him one of the most sought-after defenders across Europe.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 49 | 24 |
| Goals | 5 | 4 |
| Clean Sheet | 15 | 6 |
| Trophies Won | Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Club World Cup | – |
4. Ruben Dias
If you are looking for a complete center-back, who is at the highest level of the defensive role, then Manchester City’s Ruben Dias is the perfect answer for you. The Portuguese defender has been a mainstay for Pep Guardiola’s team for the last couple of years. Since his arrival in 2019, he has changed the defensive dynamic of the club, putting in game-changing performances week in and week out.
Dias has formed a solid defensive partnership with the likes of John Stones and Nathan Ake, and has guided Manchester City to the Premier League glory for four consecutive years. Despite being crowded with so many stars, the Portuguese defender has built a legacy of his own as a Cityzen.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 51 | 18 |
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Clean Sheet | 18 | 6 |
| Trophies Won | Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Club World Cup | – |
3. William Saliba
William Saliba has been a brand-new discovery in football in recent years. His inclusion into Arsenal squad in 2022 after several loan spells in different clubs has witnessed a meteoric rise of the player’s career. The last two years of the French defender has been nothing short of a dream. Despite being only 23-years-old, Saliba has become one of the top defenders in a competitive tournament like the Premier League.
Saliba has mastered the art of defense with the help of his blistering pace and stamina. Even the best striker of the English top flight, Erling Haaland has faced difficulties to go past the Arsenal center-back at times. With Saliba at the back, the Gunners almost won the Premier League title last year.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 61 | 20 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Clean Sheet | 29 | 8 |
| Trophies Won | FA Community Shield | – |
2. Antonio Rudiger
It was a difficult task to choose Antonio Rudiger as one of the best defenders in the world currently. The German center-back already stole the limelight during his stint with Chelsea. After winning the Champions League with the Blues, he joined the La Liga champions Real Madrid. Despite going through a period of adaptation and transition, Rudiger’s career graph has only been upward in recent years.
Rudiger led the Madrid defense when most of his defensive partners at the club were sidelined by injuries. The glorified center-back, partnered with his experience, speed, agility and physical strength stood like a wall in front of Madrid penalty box, resulting in the club’s successful campaign in the 2023-24 season that saw them winning La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 59 | 20 |
| Goals | 2 | 2 |
| Clean Sheet | 25 | 8 |
| Trophies Won | La Liga, UEFA Champions League | – |
1. Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk tops our list of the top 10 best defenders in the world in 2024. The Liverpool showman is the perfect example of how a player’s performance can change the fate of a club. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool won Premier League and Champions League titles, and was able to engage in a see-saw battle against a star-studded Manchester City for the last couple of years, thanks to some solid performances of the former Southampton star.
After van Dijk arrived at Anfield in 2018, he transformed himself into one of the best defenders in the world by not strengthening the backline of the Reds, but also contributing with several important goals. The Netherlands stopper was also on the verge of winning the Ballon d’Or title once. Currently, under Arne Slot, van Dijk will look to secure his “best defender in the world” tag in coming years.
| Stats | Season 2023/24 | Season 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 59 | 19 |
| Goals | 6 | 2 |
| Clean Sheet | 17 | 10 |
| Trophies Won | EFL Cup | – |
FAQ’s
Q1. Which football team has the best defense?
A. Manchester City has the best defense in the world currently. Players like Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol have built a formidable defensive line at the Premier League club.
Q2. What is the best defense in soccer?
A. The best defense in soccer must have two center-backs and two full-backs to cover the whole backline. Currently, Manchester City has the best defense in soccer.
Q3. Who is currently ranked as the best defender in the world?
A. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is currently ranked as the best defender in the world.
Q4. Who is considered the best defender of all time?
A. Paolo Maldini is arguably considered the best defender of all-time in football.