With there being many debates as to who the world's best defender is, here are the top 10 centre-backs in the game, a list that sees the world's most expensive defender claim top spot, while Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos failed to make the top three.
Tired of reading? Click through the gallery above to see the 10 best centre-backs in the world, according to FourFourTwo.
FourFourTwo's 10 best centre-backs in the world is somewhat dominated by defenders who ply their trade in the Premier League, with four of the 10 slots belonging to players from Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
At the summit is Reds star Virgil van Dijk, who became the world's most expensive defender following his £75 million (R1.4 billion) transfer from Southampton to the Merseysiders in January 2018.
Despite having not featured at an international tournament or won a major trophy outside of Scotland, the towering Dutchman possesses all the traits – ability to play with the ball at his feet, aerial prowess, strength, speed and leadership qualities – to be considered among the best, but it is the 27-year-old's eye-catching performances since arriving at Anfield that has seen him become a dominant force across the globe.
Van Dijk's arrival at Liverpool has given them a huge boost in their bid to clinch silverware, with the Dutchman finishing with a UEFA Champions League runner's up medal in his debut campaign with Jurgen Klopp's side, in addition to playing a vital role in their hunt for Premier League and UCL success in this campaign.
Second on the podium is Real defender Raphael Varane. Los Blancos' underwhelming 2018/19 campaign has seemingly not managed to alter Varane's reputation in the game. In fact, the 25-year-old played an integral part in the heart of France's defence as they claimed the big prize at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Commanding in the air and on the ground, highly-rated African defender Kalidou Koulibaly completes the podium.
Since signing Napoli in July 2014, the Senegal international has gone on to cement his spot as one of the world's best defenders, subsequently attracting reported interest from the likes of Juventus and Manchester United.
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Despite leading Los Blancos to three successive Champions League titles, Ramos ranks in at fourth position on FourFourTwo's list, one spot above City's Aymeric Laporte – click through the gallery above see the top 10!
Who do you consider to be the greatest defender in the world at the moment? Have your say in the comments section below.
