The secret behind any team's success is a rock solid backline and when having players at the back you can rely can be the difference between winning the league, getting top four or even staying in the division. The best defenders in the world right now have to have a balance of stopping attacks while also being confident with ball at their feet.

While many look to attackers as the catalyst behind major success, it's at the other end of the pitch where a team can succeed or fail. Just ask Jose Mourinho who has spent his managerial career focusing on keeping teams at bay.

Based on clean sheets, duel success rates, and performances for their team, here are the 10 best defenders in world football on current form.

10. Bremer (Juventus)

The Brazilian powerhouse has quietly become the most dominant pure defender in Serie A. Bremer's aerial duel success rate sits at an astonishing 74% this season, and he has started the 2026/27 campaign by anchoring a Juventus backline that has conceded just three goals in their opening six matches.

9. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

With only four games played in the league, Alphonso Davies has already bagged himself two assists from left back which is one less than he did for the whole of last season.

Bayern Munich are always going to have a lot of the ball so having a fullback who can bomb forward on the overlap while hold up tricky wingers is a must. He is in blistering form with an elite 93% pass accuracy and helped his team keep two clean sheets.

8. Leonardo Balerdi (AS Roma)

Roma have only conceded three goals so far this season sitting top of the table and Leonardo Balerdi has been a major factor in that.

Leading the league with average match rating for a defender and only conceding one goal in games he's started, the Marseille loanee is making a great case to be resigned if Roma end up winning the league. The Argentine's breakout year has made him a target for sides looking for a versatile centre back.

7. Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City)

Since joining, Josko Gvardiol has shown he can be a presence in both boxes for Manchester City.

This season has been no different, bagging the winner on the opening day before also setting up the winner in the Manchester Derby to give himself one goal and two assists. He's also been key on the defensive side dominating 68% of his ground duels and completing over 90% of his passes.

6. Alvaro Carreras (Real Madrid)

Jose Mourinho's arrival has given Alvaro Carreras consistent game time across the back line and he hasn't let him down.

Scoring against Rayo Vallecano while also being a reliable performer at left back and centre back, Carreras has shown he can do the dirty work for the star players. He's also tidy with the ball with 91% pass accuracy and 87% tackle success.

5. Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

Each season Borussia Dortmund are often chasing Bayern Munich for the title so picking up as many points as they can is non negotiable.

Nico Schlotterbeck has already shown he is top centre back in the world keeping the Black and Yellow tight at the back this season with two clean sheets already. Individually he is also elite with 49 duels already won and an average rating of 7.99.

4. Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Unfortunately for Borussia Dortmund they are always going to be overshadowed by a Bayern player when it comes to dominance.

Dayot Upmamecano has been dominant since the draw at Schalke keeping back to back clean sheets then also scoring 1 goal. He is silky at the back with 92% pass success rate and over 50 duels won in just 4 league games.

3. Marc Guehi (Manchester City)

Marc Guehi has been Enzo Maresca's key man when it comes to building from the back.

With a goal on opening day before then keeping two clean sheets out of the next four games conceding no more than one goal. His pinpoint passing at 96% and also 100% tackle success rate has made him the first name on the team sheet in the Blues back line.

2. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)

Arsenal's success has been built on their dominating backline made up of Gabriel Magalhaes' aerial presence and physicality.

Gabriel has already made 39 clearances this season, helping his side rack up three clean sheets in five games with 92% pass accuracy to top it off. Brighton disaster aside, the Brazilian has shown he can still run the back 4 without William Saliba fit.

1. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)

Barcelona hold a perfect record of seven wins in the league already this season and are looking unstoppable. As is the La Masia way everyone needs to be able to be comfortable with the ball and 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi is no exception.

Cubarsi has the highest line breaking pass rate for any defender in Europe while also showing so much experience from a young age. The sky is the limit for this future star who has already won a World Cup and could add to that collection by the end of this season.