The Great Debate: Who is the best defender in the world? | OneFootball

It’s pretty easy to narrow down the world’s best goalkeeper debate to two or three names.

Same goes for the world’s best midfielder, and when we talk about the world’s best forward, it’s pretty much a straight shoot-out between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But picking the world’s best defender? That’s a little trickier.

Our writers have their say …

Lewis Ambrose

A three-time Champions League winner and a world champion all at the age of 25, it’s Raphaël Varane.

The Frenchman may well be the fastest top-level centre-back around but doesn’t rely on his pace to read the game and smartly intercept dangerous attacks.

Excellent in the air, strong on the ground, accomplished on the ball. There’s no real flaw in Varane’s game and that’s what sets him apart from the rest.

Elliott Bretland

Sergio Ramos, for me. I think Juventus’ centre-backs work brilliantly as a unit but as an out-and-out defender I have to go for the Real Madrid skipper.

He exudes confidence, he’s strong, he’s a battler, his timing and positioning is impeccable and while it does irk me (it really, really irks me), his use of the dark arts is impressive.

The Spaniard is unbeatable on his day and the best centre-back in the world.

Dan Burke

I’m gonna go for Diego Godín. In a world that’s becoming obsessed with ball-playing defenders, Godín is an old-fashioned, no nonsense centre-half and I love him for it.

He’s not dirty and he makes up for a slight lack of pace with his almost telepathic sense of positioning. You won’t see the Uruguayan making too many tackles because he doesn’t have to, and I suspect Atlético Madrid wouldn’t be nearly as well organised as they are were it not for this guy marshalling things at the back.

Phil Costa

The best defender in the world is Raphaël Varane.

As Elliott mentioned, there are brilliant defensive units across Europe and maybe better ‘defenders’ on an individual level, but in terms of well rounded attributes the Frenchman is comfortably ahead.

His spring is immense, his positioning is what you’d find in a defender ten years his senior and when he hits full stride – there isn’t a forward in world football he can’t catch.

Alex Mott

The best defender in the world has to play for the best defensive team in the game. So the only answer to this question is Diego Godín.

The Atlético Madrid stalwart is that rarest of things in 2018: a centre back whose first thought is to stop the ball going into the back of the net.

He may not be able to play that raking pass or dribble past five opponents to start an attack, but if it’s pure defending you’re after, the Uruguayan is comfortably the best around.