In modern football, defenders are no longer just stoppers, they’re playmakers, leaders, and the heartbeat of every top team. From hard-tackling centre-backs to full-backs who redefine creativity, the art of defending continues to evolve.
- 10. Jurrien Timber — Arsenal
- 9 — Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
- 8 — Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid)
- 7 — Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
- 6. Nuno Mendes — Paris Saint-Germain
- 5. Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal
- 4. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
- 3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- 2. Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain
- 1. William Saliba — Arsenal
In a season defined by tactical evolution and defensive excellence, 2025 has reminded the world that great defenders still win great titles. From PSG’s Champions League triumph to Arsenal’s Premier League charge, this new generation of defenders are not only stopping goals they’re shaping football’s identity.
After careful analysis of form, consistency, and overall impact, here’s Softfootball’s definitive top 10 defenders in the world right now.
10. Jurrien Timber — Arsenal
Despite spending much of last season recovering from injury, Jurrien Timber’s influence on Arsenal’s structure is already evident.
Timber’s 2024–25 season at Arsenal showed flashes of the versatility and recovery speed that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after full-backs and centre-back hybrids. When fit, Timber provided Arsenal with pace out wide and clean defensive transitions from back to front.
Why he’s here: Timber’s combination of athleticism and ball-carriage potential gives managers tactical flexibility , a useful trait in 2025 when teams demand defenders who can start attacks.
9 — Jules Koundé (Barcelona)
Koundé remained Barcelona’s go-to option for matching up against quick attackers and for carrying the ball out from the back. His per-90 defensive metrics (tackles, interceptions, recoveries) in recent matches underline a reliable defensive output while maintaining excellent passing accuracy for Barca.
Whether he’s marshalling central areas or slotting in at right-back, Koundé’s discipline and game intelligence make him a stabilising force.
Why he’s here: Versatility (centre-back/right-back), pace and composure on the ball, Koundé is a modern defender who fits both possession and counter-pressing systems
8 — Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid)
Huijsen arrived in the spotlight in 2025 after an excellent breakout run which prompted Real Madrid to sign him a high-value move completed in mid-2025. During his 2024–25 breakthrough he made over 30 senior appearances for Bournemouth and drew interest from Europe’s elite, leading to Real Madrid activating his release clause.
Huijsen’s calm presence belies his age, he reads danger early, distributes cleanly, and has already impressed in his first Champions League appearances. Madrid may have found their long-term leader at the back.
Why he’s here: Height, aerial dominance and composure on the ball marked him out as one of the most exciting defensive prospects of 2025; Madrid’s purchase confirms he’s a name to watch.
7 — Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Experience, leadership, and reliability — three words that define Marquinhos. The PSG captain has once again shown his class, guiding the Parisians to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in 2025, followed by the UEFA Super Cup triumph over Tottenham.
Through tactical shifts and managerial changes, Marquinhos remains PSG’s defensive heartbeat. His reading of the game, composure under pressure, and communication with teammates elevate him above mere statistics.
Why he’s here: The veteran’s game intelligence and positional discipline make him the backbone of PSG’s defence, a steadying presence that still ranks among the best in Europe in 2025.
6. Nuno Mendes — Paris Saint-Germain
If Marquinhos is PSG’s brain, Nuno Mendes is their energy. The Portuguese full-back was electric in 2025 blending speed, technique, and defensive tenacity to devastating effect.
His overlapping runs gave PSG constant width during their Champions League campaign, while his defensive awareness helped neutralise top wingers in crunch knockout ties. Still only 23, Mendes is already among the best left-backs in the world, with the temperament and ability to dominate the flank for years to come.
Why he’s here: Mendes is one of those premium modern full-backs who balance end-product with reliable defensive contributions, precisely the profile managers prize in 2025.
5. Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal
Arsenal’s defensive revival owes much to the no-nonsense brilliance of Gabriel Magalhães. The Brazilian has formed a near-perfect partnership with William Saliba combining physical strength with positional discipline. Gabriel’s aerial dominance and leadership in one-on-one duels provide the steel that complements Arsenal’s possession game.
Few defenders are as reliable or as relentless in the Premier League. He may not always make headlines, but Arsenal’s rise simply doesn’t happen without Gabriel.
Interestingly, to add to Gabriel’s incredible run of form this year Softfootball understands that the defender was named Arsenal’s player of the month for October, this was confirmed in an exclusive video statement via the team’s official X handle. They posted:
Why he’s here: A no-nonsense, physical centre-back who wins his battles and helps keep Arsenal competitive at the top in 2025.
4. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Elegant, composed, and technically gifted Bastoni has redefined what it means to be a ball-playing centre-back. His left-footed passing range and calmness in tight spaces allow Inter Milan to dictate games from the back.
He was a key part of Simone Inzaghi’s defensive system last season that saw them reach the 2025 UCL final, Bastoni also brings defensive intelligence and leadership that belie his age. His influence stretches beyond defence; he initiates attacks, breaks lines, and plays with the poise of an experienced playmaker.
Why he’s here: Ball-playing ability plus consistent defensive decisions put Bastoni firmly in the elite bracket for 2025.
3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Still the benchmark for world-class defending. Van Dijk’s combination of aerial dominance, timing, and authority remains unmatched. The Dutchman captains Liverpool with trademark composure, and even as he enters his 30s, his performances continue to set the standard for elite centre-backs.
A Champions League and Premier League winner, Van Dijk’s mere presence reshapes how teams attack Liverpool. He’s not just a defender, he’s an embodiment of calm control and intelligent positioning.
2. Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain
The Moroccan right-back had one of the finest seasons of his career, helping PSG lift both the Champions League and Super Cup in 2025. Hakimi’s balance between attacking invention and defensive discipline was central to PSG’s triumphs ,especially after Mbappé’s departure.
With key goals, assists, and tireless runs, Hakimi has evolved into a complete defender: pace, intelligence, work rate, and precision all rolled into one.
Why he’s here: A full-back who consistently influences matches at both ends; in 2025 his attacking numbers and defensive solidity made him one of the most complete wide defenders in world football.
1. William Saliba — Arsenal
William Saliba has become Arsenal’s cornerstone, commanding their backline with maturity beyond his years. His positioning, anticipation, and control under pressure are near flawless, while his calm distribution allows Arsenal to play out confidently from the back.
Saliba has transformed Arsenal’s defence into a fortress, his partnership with Gabriel forming the base of one of Europe’s most organised teams, setting a new record of most consecutive cleansheet in Arsenal’s history with 8. Whether in the Premier League or Europe, his consistency, composure, and maturity set him apart.
Why he’s #1 : Saliba combined peak form, consistency and the kind of defensive control that turns fragile backlines into champions’ backbones in 2025, he’s the most natural choice for the top spot.
From Saliba’s authority to Hakimi’s dynamism and Van Dijk’s timeless control, these ten defenders represent the perfect blend of old-school grit and modern precision.
Their collective brilliance reminds us that while goals win games, fearless defence still wins titles. 2025 has given us many stories, but one truth stands firm, the art of defending is alive, evolving, and more beautiful than ever.
