Football NewsGiveMeSportUnverified source· 25 Sept 2026
The 25 Best Defenders in World Football Right Now
Defences win titles, and this ranked list names the 25 best defenders in the game today.
W. Saliba
player
Format
Ranked list of 25
Included
William Saliba
Included
Virgil van Dijk
Clubs
Real Madrid, PSG, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City
England
Three internationals
What happened. GiveMeSport published a ranked list of the 25 best defenders in world football right now, with Arsenal's William Saliba and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk among the names.
- Real Madrid and PSG feature strongly across the ranking.
- Only three England internationals make the 25.
- The list argues defences, not just goalscorers, win titles.
The ranking fuels debate over who is currently the world's best defender.
In this story
V. van DijkMore to read
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20 Best Defenders in the Premier League Right Now [Ranked]
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