In research published earlier today, CIES revealed the top 10 center-backs across the world. The ranking is based on minutes played, matches, sporting level, and results. Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji comes on top of the ranking with a rating of 93.2, while his Portuguese teammate Ruben Diaz takes the 2nd position.
Top* centre backs 🌐 in 2⃣0⃣2⃣3⃣
🥇 #ManuelAkanji 🇨🇭 (#ManCity)
🥈 #RubenDias 🇵🇹 (#ManCity)
🥉 #AntonioRudiger 🇩🇪 (#RealMadrid)
* As per minutes ✖️ matches' sporting level ✖️ results
More ⚽️ stats on the @CIES_Football website 👉 https://t.co/P0Ohpx4eDz pic.twitter.com/MTvX1TQlbu— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) December 22, 2023
City’s defensive pair won four trophies in 2023, including the Champions League and the Premier League titles. They will have the chance to end the calendar year with another piece of silverware as Manchester City faces Fluminense in the Club World Cup final later today. The English Premier League has two other representatives on the list. Besides the two City defenders, Gabriel Magalaes from Arsenal and Fabian Schar from Newcastle feature within the top 10.
LaLiga also has four defenders within the top 10. Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger is in 3rd place, with the other three footballers plying their trade in Spain being Jules Kounde, Robin Le Normand, and Mario Hermoso. Serie A current leaders Inter are represented by Francesco Acerbi, while the only player performing outside of Europe and finding a place among the top 10 central defenders for 2023 is Palmeiras’ Gustavo Gomez.