The best defenders in the world: Achraf Hakimi, Gabriel, Achraf Hakimi ranked in top-10 list

The role that defenders play has changed over the years, with centre-backs at elite clubs now tasked with playing as well on the ball as they do off of it.

Meanwhile, there are more variations of full-back than ever, with some pushing forward on overlapping runs while others move inside to resemble midfielders or even centre-backs in their roles.

These different roles for defenders makes it difficult to compare them directly; clean sheets may be the main metric of measurement for some players while offensive contributions or pass completion may be more important for others.

As a result, it would be best to compare those in the backline in a more holistic way, considering their impact on the team and how effective they are at their given tasks.

With this in mind, Sports Mole ranks the top 10 best defenders in the world.

TOP 10 BEST DEFENDERS IN THE WORLD

10. Riccardo Calafiori (ITA)

Years active: 6 (2020 - present)

Teams: Roma, Genoa (loan), Basel, Bologna, Arsenal

Notable trophies won: Premier League, Community Shield

Riccardo Calafiori has established himself as one of the world's best defenders in 2026 due to his elite tactical intelligence and rare versatility, comfortably dominating matches whether deployed as a central defender or more predominantly as an inverted left-back.

After playing his part in Arsenal’s 2025-26 Premier League title triumph, Calafiori’s exceptional technical ability continues to redefine modern defensive play. He serves as a crucial progressive force, frequently stepping directly into central midfield or attacking positions to dictate possession, break opposition lines, and create vital overlapping overloads.

Now one of the most effective left-backs in the Premier League, Calafiori’s form at the start of the 2026-27 campaign was rewarded with Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for August.

Combined with his robust aerial presence and old-school Italian tackling technique, the 24-year-old is a uniquely complete modern-day defender for both club and country.

9. Josko Gvardiol (CRO)

Years active: 7 (2019 - present)

Teams: Dinamo Zagreb, RB Leipzig, Manchester City

Notable trophies won: Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Community Shield

Joako Gvardiol is of a similar mould to Calafiori as he has excelled as either a marauding left-back or ball-playing central defender at Manchester City, establishing himself as one the best around in his position.

Known for his elite technical composition, physical dominance and tactical versatility, the Croatia international recovered from a five-month leg fracture suffered at the start of 2026 and he is now a first-team regular under new Man City boss Enzo Maresca.

While his defensive contributions remain a priority, Gvardiol also has an eye for a goal, netting 12 Premier League goals across the last three seasons, while he has already registered one goal and two assists in his first five league matches this term.

Gvardiol has the strength, skill and tactical nous to perform consistently at the highest level and it regarded as an important, reliable asset with potential to grow in a Citizens side vying on multiple fronts.

8. Alessandro Bastoni (ITA)

Years active: 10 (2016 - present)

Teams: Atalanta, Parma, Inter Milan

Notable trophies won: Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, European Championships

Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni has long been considered one of the best centre-backs in the world, and his combination of immense physicality and technical ability helps him stand out from the crowd.

The Nerazzurri have reached the Champions League final in two of the last four seasons, thanks in no small part to the Italian's excellent long passing and marauding runs down the left flank.

In 2024-25, Bastoni featured as part of a back three alongside Francesco Acerbi - and Yann Aurel Bisseck on the right - and his pace made up for the former's declining speed.

One of the biggest compliments for the defender is that comparisons have been made between himself and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, and the Reds have previously been credited with interest in the centre-half as a potential successor to the Dutchman.

The Inter star has already won Serie A three times and the Coppa Italia twice, and he will be expecting to compete for titles going forward given that he is 27 years old and approaching the prime age for his position.

7. Marc Guehi (ENG)

Years active: 7 (2019 - present)

Teams: Chelsea, Swansea City (loan), Crystal Palace, Manchester City

Notable trophies won: FA Cup, EFL Cup

Marc Guehi has long been considered one of the best central defenders in the Premier League and he decided to take the next step in his career by leaving Crystal Palace for Manchester City in the January transfer window.

The 25-year-old England international, known for his leadership, ball-playing ability and defensive nous, led the Eagles to their first-ever major trophy when they beat Man City to lift the 2025 FA Cup, and he then helped his new side win the 2025-26 FA Cup.

He has since seamlessly slotted into Man City's backline and is yet to lose any of his 20 Premier League matches for the Sky Blues (W17 D3), highlighting his importance at the Etihad Stadium.

Guehi, who has also shown his ability to drift into midfield under new boss Maresca, is arguably England's strongest centre-back for Thomas Tuchel and he is growing into one of the best defenders in the world courtesy of his consistent performances at the highest level.

6. Pau Cubarsi (ESP)

Years active: 3 (2023 - present)

Teams: Barcelona

Notable trophies won: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Olympic Gold Medal, World Cup

Part of a slew of recent La Masia academy graduates, centre-back Pau Cubarsi has been a strong performer in a rejuvenated Barcelona side under head coach Hansi Flick.

The 2026 Golden Boy contender has gained experience of playing an extremely demanding high line, and has quickly become a key component at the heart of Barcelona's defence.

Although he is still just 19 years of age, Cubarsi can now be regarded as a world-class defender, with his claim to be one of the world's very best enhanced by his superb performances for 2026 World Cup winners Spain over the summer.

Cubarsi was named the World Cup's Young Player of the Tournament, while he is also a two-time La Liga champions with Barcelona, as well as an Olympic Gold medallist and UEFA Nations League runner-up with La Roja.

5. Willian Pacho (ECU)

Years active: 7 (2019 - present)

Teams: Independiente, Royal Antwerp, Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain

Notable trophies won: Champions League, Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions

When Paris Saint-Germain opted for their new approach of building an XI that was more focused on winning than signing big-name players, the club brought in Willian Pacho from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could rise to £39m.

The Ecuadorian international played a standout role in Les Parisiens' excellent 2024-25 campaign, and his performances on the way to winning the Champions League caught the eye.

PSG's forwards such as Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola often take the headlines, but Pacho is now considered a hugely important defensive asset, with the left-footed centre-back known to be quick off the mark and positionally aware to make recovering the ball look simple.

At 24 years of age, Pacho has already helped PSG win back-to-back Champions League titles as well as five domestic honours, including two Ligue 1 titles.

4. Gabriel Magalhaes (BRA)

Years active: 10 (2016 - present)

Teams: Avai FC, Lille, Troyes, Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal

Notable trophies won: Premier League

The other half of Europe's best defence at club level, Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes is a powerhouse in both boxes who has been essential to the success of Mikel Arteta's side in recent seasons.

The Brazil international is known for his aerial prowess, but it is his all-round defensive contributions that marks him as one of the best in his position.

Gabriel is often the one in Arteta's backline who organises the team, maintaining the offside line and guiding others through tense situations that would have otherwise ended with the Gunners conceding.

The aggressive and strong 28-year-old is entering the prime years of his career and will hope to inspire the Gunners to Champions League glory after missing the decisive penalty kick in the 2025-26 final defeat to PSG.

3. William Saliba (FRA)

Years active: 8 (2018 - present)

Teams: Saint-Etienne, OGC Nice, Marseille, Arsenal

Notable trophies won: Premier League

Arsenal's William Saliba was signed as a teenager with high expectations placed on his young shoulders, but he was sent on loan to gain some experience before joining up with the first team in 2022-23.

Now 25, the Gunners centre-back has been part of an extremely resilient defence under Arteta, most commonly partnering with Gabriel.

The French international is known for his pace and grace on the ball, qualities that every top-level centre-half needs in their locker in the modern era.

In 2024-25, the Londoners once again boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding just 34 goals across their 38 fixtures, seven fewer than champions Liverpool.

The Gunners were also defensively excellent during the 2025-26 campaign, winning the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final.

2. Nuno Mendes (POR)

Years active: 6 (2020 - present)

Teams: Sporting Lisbon, Paris Saint-Germain

Notable trophies won: Champions League, Ligue 1, UEFA Super Cup, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, UEFA Nations League, Primeira Liga

Nuno Mendes initially arrived from Sporting Lisbon on loan in 2021, but PSG triggered the optional buy-clause in the deal for £34m.

The left-back made the Ligue 1 team of the year in his debut season with Les Parisiens, before picking up the Young Player of the Year prize in 2022-23 during his first campaign as a permanent member of the squad.

Unfortunately for the Portuguese international, he suffered a major hamstring injury that required surgery in 2023, and after missing 10 months of action, he returned in February 2024, hoping to pick up where he left off.

Mendes closed out that season by helping his side to the semi-finals of the Champions League as well as winning the league title and the Coupe de France.

In 2024-25, the left-back staked his claim as the best in the world in his position by lifting the trophy in UEFA's premier club competition, scoring in both legs of the quarter-final against Aston Villa and knocking out both Arsenal and Liverpool in the process.

The defender subsequently starred yet again in the Champions League in 2025-26, scoring two and assisting two goals as PSG progressed to the final for the second straight year and ultimately lifted the trophy once more.

1. Achraf Hakimi (MOR)

Years active: 10 (2016 - present)

Teams: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain

Notable trophies won: Champions League, Ligue 1, Serie A, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, German Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana

Former Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi has cost his various clubs approximately £100m in transfer fees throughout his career so far, and it is clear to see why.

Another member of PSG's all-conquering squad, the right-back contributed heavily to their clean sweep of trophies both domestic and continental.

With 11 goals and 16 assists across 55 club appearances in 2024-25 and three goals and nine assists in 32 appearances in 2025-26, the Moroccan international is an attacking force, but his impressive recovery pace allows him to get back and contribute effectively to the rearguard.

The 27-year-old has accumulated a remarkable 19 major trophies in four different countries and will back himself to inspire PSG to more glory in the new campaign.