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Top 25 Centre Backs in Football in the 21st Century

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Centre backs are probably the most intimidating breed of football players in existence.

Imagine a large, aggressive dude whose main goal is to take the ball off you, regardless of whether he gets a piece of you in the process or not. Crazy bunch.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top 25 centre backs in football in the 21st century. Similar to all the previous top 25 articles, this list will look at the top 5 centre backs from each of the top 5 European football leagues.

Top 5 Bundesliga centre backs in the 21st century

5. Daniel Van Buyten

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Among the long list of centre backs in Bayern Munich’s history, very few compare to ‘Big Dan’ in terms of sheer size.

Standing at just under 6ft 6, van Buyten excelled at using his strength, and ability in the air to stop opposition attacks.

The crowning achievements in his career included 4 Bundesliga titles and a Champions League.

4. Neven Subotić

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Probably one of the most underrated centre backs in recent Bundesliga history.

Interfering with Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga is no easy feat. However, in the early 2010s, Borussia Dortmund managed to do just that. And Neven Subotić was an integral part of the defensive unit that made that possible.

Standing at 6ft 4, Subotić was a great stopper who was consistent throughout his Bundesliga career. The highlights of his time with Borussia Dortmund included back to back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012.

3. Mats Hummels

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Mats Hummels is one of the most graceful footballers around, despite his size.

From the centre back position, he often displayed great confidence and control, regularly carrying the ball into the midfield. His composure and technique have even drawn comparisons with the great Franz Beckenbauer.

Hummels is also the second half (Alongside Neven Subotić) of the centre back pair that helped Borussia Dortmund to their 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga titles. In addition to that, Hummels added 3 more Bundesliga titles to his collection while playing for Bayern Munich.

2. Lúcio

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Lúcio is potentially one the most physically overwhelming defenders of all time. His no nonsense approach to defending and aggressions surely gave nightmares to a fair number of attackers.

While playing for Bayern Munich, he had incredible ball carrying ability and would frequently go on long, surging runs into the opposition’s half. In fact, because of this part of his game, he was given the nickname ‘O Cavalo’ (The horse).

In addition to having a successful club career in Germany (where he won three Bundesliga titles), Lúcio was also part of the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 2002 World Cup.

1. Jérôme Boateng

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There are very few defenders that can claim to have had more successful and dominant careers than Jérôme Boateng.

Despite being labelled as defensively error prone in his youth, Boateng has managed to put together a consistently solid career over the past decade or so.

In addition to the numerous Bundesliga titles that he has picked up in his career (8 in total), he was also part of two treble winning Bayern Munich teams (in 2013 and 2020), as well as a starter in the German squad that won the 2014 world cup.

Top 5 Ligue 1 centre backs in the 21st century

5. Cris

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After having a rather unsuccessful start to his European footballing career with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, Cris found considerable success with Lyon in the early 2000s.

While in France, he displayed impressive leadership, and gained a reputation for being a rough, vocal centre back. He was even given the nickname ‘the policeman’ due to how commanding he was on the pitch.

During his time playing for Lyon, he won 4 consecutive Ligue 1 titles and was also chosen as part of the Ligue 1 team of the season 3 times.

4. Marquinhos

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One of the best ball playing centre backs to grace Ligue 1. Despite being a relatively small centre back, he more than makes up for it with his technical ability, reaction time and his confidence on the ball.

It seems as though Marquinhos was always an established veteran while playing for PSG, but many seem to forget that he only transferred to the club at 19 years of age.

Since joining PSG, he has won 6 Ligue 1 titles and counting.

3. Souleymane Diawara

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There are very few players that can say that they won two Ligue 1 titles, while playing for two different clubs, in the past 20 years and neither of those clubs were Lyon or PSG.

However, seeing as he has done just that with Marseille and Bordeaux, Diawara is one of the few that can say just that.

The Senegalese defender was one of the best defenders around on his day. In addition to being an incredible tackler, he also had a knack for arriving in the box at just the right time and scoring powerful headers.

Along with his two Ligue 1 medals, he was also named in the Ligue 1 team of the season twice in 2009 and 2010.

2. Vitorino Hilton

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Without a doubt, one of the most underrated centre backs in Ligue 1 history. Hilton was a force to be reckoned with while in his prime.

He could do just about everything that you could ask for in a centre back. Hilton was strong in the tackle, had an astute understanding of the game, and was even had a bit of pace in his locker.

During his time in France, he won two Ligue 1 title and was selected in the team of the year 4 times.

1. Thiago Silva

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One of the best Brazilian defenders of all time, without a doubt. And that really is saying something.

If you had to choose the most important player to play for PSG since the Qatari take over in 2011, some people would understandably choose Zlatan Ibrahimović.

However, in my eyes, it is none other than Thiago Silva.

He embodied all of the characteristics that you would want in a defender in ways that very few are able to emulate.

For PSG, he displayed strong leadership skills, playmaking ability, defensive prowess and incredible tactical awareness.

During his 8-year spell in France, he won 7 Ligue 1 titles and was selected in the team of the year 7 times. Crazy numbers.

If you’d like to see a snapshot of his playing ability, take look at this highlight reel.

Top 5 Serie A centre backs in the 21st century

5. Marco Materazzi

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Marco Materazzi was an aggressive, well-disciplined and tenacious centre back in his day. As part of the legendary Italian defence that won the 2006 world cup, you would expect no less.

Although he was primarily used as a stopper, he was also an aerial threat and would often score important goals.

With Inter Milan, Materazzi won 5 Serie A titles and a Champions League title.

4. Fabio Cannavaro

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Fabio Cannavaro’s technical ability, ball playing skills and leadership are impressive on their own. However, the fact that he captained Italy to their fourth World Cup victory in 2006 and won the Ballon d’or as a centre back undoubtedly solidified his legend status.

Despite only standing at 5 ft 9, Cannavaro was one of the most commanding centre backs of his generation. His work rate, tactical intelligence, jumping ability and pace allowed him to excel in a position that is typically reserved for much larger men.

Unfortunately, due to the infamous ‘Calciopolo’ scandal in 2006, Juventus were stripped of their 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles.

As a result of this Cannavaro technically does not hold any Serie A titles to his name.

3. Alessandro Nesta

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Yet another exceptionally talented centre back from the golden age of Italian defenders.

Nesta was well known for his composure on the ball, his ability to read the game, and his explosive acceleration, despite being a larger player.

During his career, he won 3 Serie A titles (1 with Lazio and 2 with AC Milan), as well as 2 Champions League titles.

2. Giorgio Chiellini

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Chiellini is regarded as one of the most disciplined, hard working and physical defenders of his generation. In his prime, he was able to combine all of the above characteristics with an astute tactical understanding of the game.

In the past, many have regarded his playstyle as somewhat of a throwback to the golden age of Italian defenders from the 90s.

During his time at Juventus, he has done nothing but showcase his world class talent season after season.

Further to that, Chiellini won no less that 9 Serie A title, as well as numerous additional awards.

1. Paolo Maldini

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It shouldn’t surprise many that Paolo Maldini is at the top of this list. After all, he is in serious contention for the title of the greatest defender of all time.

In addition to potentially being the greatest centre backs of all time, he is also considered by many as one of the greatest left backs of all time.

I’ve previously referred to him as Italian superman, and that really isn’t far from the truth when you consider that he won 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions league titles with AC Milan.

In his prime, Maldini was making tackles like this on a weekly basis.

Top 5 La Liga centre backs in the 21st century

5. Diego Godin

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Breaking the trend of La Liga dominance that Real Madrid and Barcelona set was never going to be easy. However, Atletico Madrid made it possible in 2014 by becoming the only team not named Barcelona or Real Madrid to win La Liga since 2004.

One of the standout performers in the Atletico team was none other than the captain, Diego Godin.

While in La Liga he displayed immense physicality and tactical intelligence and formed one of the strongest centre back partnerships in recent years with Miranda

4. Roberto Ayala

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An often forgotten La Liga legend.

Before the Barcelona and Real Madrid domination in La Liga since the mid-2000s, Valencia were one of the top competitors around.

In the early 2000s, Valencia were renowned for their airtight defence and Ayala was one of the main reasons for that.

His speed and defensive skills made him one of the most accomplished defenders around and allowed him to help his team to 2 La Liga titles.

3. Gerard Pique

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Gerard Pique can be quite a polarizing figure, but there’s no denying his footballing ability. In his prime, he was one of the most technically gifted defenders, potentially, of all time.

In his youth, Pique used to play as a striker and it really does show. His frequent ventures into the oppositions half often ended up with him putting his name on the scoresheet.

At Barcelona, he has won 8 La Liga titles, 3 Champions League titles and several individual accolades.

2. Carles Puyol

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Quite possibly Barcelona’s greatest ever captain. Carles Puyol was amazing to watch during his playing career.

Often playing with his hair in his face, he would put up incredible performance very regularly. His hairstyle even earned him the nickname ‘Captain Caveman’.

Despite this, his defensive awareness, courage and leadership were unrivalled.

Over his Barcelona career, he won six La Liga titles, 3 Champions League titles and the World Cup. An absolute rock in defence.

1. Sergio Ramos

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Probably one of the greatest defenders ever? Not many players can say that they’ve literally won every trophy that was available to them. Sergio Ramos can. Amongst his several accolades, 4 Champions league titles, 5 La Liga titles and a World Cup sit at the top of the list.

Even further to that, not many defenders can say that they are prolific goal scorers. Seeing as Ramos is currently 19th on the Real Madrid all-time top goal scorers list, he can say that too

Before becoming a centre back, Ramos was already one of the best players in the world as a right back. Since making the transition, he seems to just be getting better and better with age. His speed, aggression, ball playing ability and leadership are all exemplary. He truly is a generational talent

How many centre backs do you know that can do this??

Top 5 English Premier League centre backs in the 21st century

Honorable mention: Virgil van Dijk

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The greatest player in the world at one point, in my opinion. I don’t think anybody expected van Dijk to turn into the player that he did at Liverpool.

He often displayed promising performances while playing for Celtic and then for Southampton, but he really has taken it to another level at Merseyside.

His graceful playstyle allows him to glide through the midfield and play inch perfect balls to attackers on a weekly basis.

Since joining Liverpool, he has won the premier league and the champions league, as well the best UEFA player of the year award in 2019.

5. Vincent Kompany

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The greatest captain in Manchester City History.

Many may not be aware, but Kompany was already a City player before the Abu Dhabi takeover; he was truly there from the very beginning of their recent successful period

While playing at the Etihad, he proved himself to be a one of the hardest men to run past. In addition to this, he won 4 premier league titles.

4. Sol Campbell

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Tottenham fans may label him as ‘Judas’, but there is no denying the shear talent of Sol Campbell over his career. Even further to that, he was probably the standout centre back in Arsenal’s 2003/2004 invincible season.

His athleticism and positional awareness allowed him to excel back in the day. While at the London club, he won 2 premier league trophies in total.

3. Nemanja Vidic

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Undoubtedly one of the scariest players in Premier League history. Nemanja Vidic tormented attackers for close to a decade at Manchester United.

A ferocious stopper that enjoyed every success available to him at Old Trafford and frequently left his blood (literally), sweat and tears on the pitch.

During his time in Manchester, Vidic won 5 Premier League titles and a Champions League title.

2. John Terry

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One of the greatest stoppers in Premier League and football history. Chelsea were one the best defensive units in the world when he was at the heart of their defence.

His crowning achievement from a defensive perspective was helping Chelsea concede only 15 goals in the 2004/2005 Premier League season.

Although he did lack technical ability, he more than made up for it with his tactical intelligence and defensive timing.

While playing in London, he won 4 Premier League titles and the Champions League.

1. Rio Ferdinand

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Hands down the best defender that I have watched in the Premier League in his prime.

If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t think that Ferdinand was English, based on his style of play. The way that he controlled the ball and read the game in the mid to late 2000s was like nothing that any other English centre back at the time.

One of the greatest ball playing defenders that could pick a pass just as well if not better than most midfielders.

During his 9-year spell at Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand won 6 Premier League titles and a Champions League title.

The UEFA Champions League Twitter account sums up how solid he was pretty well in this clip.

Summary

In summary, the top 25 centre backs in the 21st century are as follows:

Bundesliga

  • Daniel Van Buyten
  • Neven Subotić
  • Mats Hummels
  • Lúcio
  • Jérôme Boateng

Ligue 1

  • Cris
  • Marquinhos
  • Souleymane Diawara
  • Vitorino Hilton
  • Thiago Silva

Serie A

  • Marco Matterazi
  • Fabio Cannavaro
  • Alessandro Nesta
  • Giorgio Chiellini
  • Paolo Maldini

La Liga

  • Diego Godin
  • Roberto Ayala
  • Gerard Pique
  • Carles Puyol
  • Sergio Ramos

English Premier League

  • Vincent Kompany
  • Sol Campbell
  • Nemanja Vidic
  • John Terry
  • Rio Ferdinand

If you’re interested in a detailed breakdown of the role of a centre back, as well as all the different types of centre backs, be sure to take a look at this article.

For more top 25 style articles on football positions, be sure to take a look at the following articles:

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