The 50 Best-Paid Center-Backs in Football – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
Top-class center-backs are just as valuable as elite forwards. Defenders who combine physicality, tactical awareness, and ball-playing ability are in high demand, leading clubs to offer massive salaries to secure their services. Here are the 50 highest-paid center-backs in the world.
50. Radu Drăgușin – £84,532.50 per week / £4,395,690 per year
A commanding center-back for Tottenham Hotspur, recognized for his defensive resilience. His wages showcase his impact at the club.
49. Alessio Romagnoli – £84,836.80 per week / £4,411,500 per year
A composed defender for Lazio, known for his leadership at the back.
48. Benoît Badiashile – £89,505.00 per week / £4,654,260 per year
A physically imposing defender for Chelsea, excelling in aerial duels and defensive positioning.
47. Sven Botman – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A modern defender for Newcastle United, combining strength and technical ability to great effect.
46. Joachim Andersen – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A composed ball-playing center-back for Crystal Palace, capable of initiating attacks from deep.
45. Levi Colwill – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A young and promising defender for Chelsea, with a bright future ahead.
44. Tyrone Mings – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A dominant center-back for Aston Villa, known for his aggressive defending and leadership.
43. Gabriel Magalhães – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A key figure in Arsenal’s defensive setup, reliable and strong in duels.
42. James Tarkowski – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A tough and uncompromising defender for Everton, excelling in aerial battles.
41. Max Kilman – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A composed center-back for West Ham United, showing consistency in the heart of defense.
40. Pau Torres – £99,450.00 per week / £5,171,400 per year
A technically gifted center-back for Aston Villa, excelling in distribution and anticipation.
39. Nikola Milenković – £104,422.50 per week / £5,429,970 per year
A strong and aggressive defender for Fiorentina, highly effective in one-on-one situations.
38. Willi Orbán – £107,885 per week / £5,610,000 per year
A leader at the back for RB Leipzig, combining physicality with excellent positioning.
37. Lukas Klostermann – £107,885 per week / £5,610,000 per year
A versatile and pacey defender for RB Leipzig, capable of playing across the backline.
36. Diego Carlos – £109,029 per week / £5,669,500 per year
A tough and experienced defender for Fenerbahçe, providing solidity at the back.
35. Leny Yoro – £114,368 per week / £5,947,110 per year
A young and talented center-back for Manchester United, showcasing great composure for his age.
34. Stefan de Vrij – £115,077 per week / £5,984,000 per year
A tactical and intelligent defender for Inter Milan, excelling in reading the game.
33. Lisandro Martínez – £119,340 per week / £6,205,680 per year
A tenacious and aggressive defender for Manchester United, known for his ball-playing abilities.
32. Tosin Adarabioyo – £119,340 per week / £6,205,680 per year
A composed and technically skilled center-back for Fulham, thriving in defensive setups.
31. Victor Lindelöf – £119,340 per week / £6,205,680 per year
A dependable and versatile defender for Manchester United, excelling in positional awareness.
30. Milan Skriniar – £122,596 per week / £6,375,000 per year
A strong and aggressive center-back for Fenerbahçe, known for his defensive dominance.
29. Matthias Ginter – £123,413 per week / £6,417,500 per year
A reliable and composed defender for SC Freiburg, a crucial presence in the backline.
28. Presnel Kimpembe – £125,538 per week / £6,528,000 per year
A commanding defender for Paris Saint-Germain, known for his physicality and defensive discipline.
27. Roger Ibañez – £138,943 per week / £7,225,000 per year
A quick and strong center-back for Al-Ahli, excelling in recovery defending.
26. Andreas Christensen – £147,115 per week / £7,650,000 per year
A calm and composed center-back for FC Barcelona, excelling in tactical awareness.
25. Bremer – £151,365 per week / £7,871,000 per year
A physically dominant defender for Juventus, excelling in duels and aerial battles.
24. Iñigo Martínez – £153,327 per week / £7,973,000 per year
A strong and experienced center-back for FC Barcelona, known for his composure and leadership.
23. Nathan Aké – £159,120 per week / £8,274,200 per year
A versatile defender for Manchester City, comfortable in both center-back and full-back roles.
22. Dayot Upamecano – £163,462 per week / £8,500,000 per year
A physically dominant center-back for Bayern Munich, excelling in high-pressure situations.
21. Niklas Süle – £163,462 per week / £8,500,000 per year
A commanding defender for Borussia Dortmund, known for his strength and aerial ability.
20. Merih Demiral – £163,462 per week / £8,500,000 per year
A tough and aggressive defender for Al-Ahli, excelling in man-marking.
19. Ronald Araújo – £163,462 per week / £8,500,000 per year
A fast and aggressive defender for FC Barcelona, providing a strong presence in the backline.
18. Cristian Romero – £163,462 per week / £8,500,000 per year
A fearless and aggressive center-back for Tottenham Hotspur, excelling in interceptions and tackles.
17. Rúben Dias – £178,010 per week / £9,250,000 per year
A defensive leader for Manchester City, known for his tactical awareness and composure.
16. Manuel Akanji – £178,010 per week / £9,250,000 per year
A reliable and technically skilled center-back for Manchester City, excelling in ball distribution.
15. Alessandro Bastoni – £178,212 per week / £9,260,000 per year
A ball-playing defender for Inter Milan, excelling in progressive passing and defensive positioning.
14. William Saliba – £189,455 per week / £9,850,000 per year
A young and composed defender for Arsenal, already making a huge impact at the highest level.
13. Harry Maguire – £189,455 per week / £9,850,000 per year
A strong and dominant center-back for Manchester United, providing experience and leadership.
12. Matthijs de Ligt – £194,928 per week / £10,140,000 per year
A top-class center-back for Bayern Munich, known for his intelligence and anticipation.
11. Min-jae Kim – £200,154 per week / £10,420,000 per year
A physically imposing and disciplined center-back for Bayern Munich, excelling in duels.
10. Wesley Fofana – £204,780 per week / £10,660,000 per year
A quick and aggressive center-back for Chelsea, with a strong ability to read the game.
9. Mohamed Simakan – £225,616 per week / £11,731,500 per year
A dynamic and athletic defender for RB Leipzig, playing a key role in their backline.
8. Virgil van Dijk – £236,630 per week / £12,300,000 per year
A world-class center-back for Liverpool, dominating aerial duels and defensive organization.
7. Antonio Rüdiger – £259,462 per week / £13,487,500 per year
A physically dominant defender for Real Madrid, excelling in aggressive tackles and positioning.
6. Éder Militão – £259,462 per week / £13,487,500 per year
A top-class center-back for Real Madrid, combining speed and strength in defensive situations.
5. John Stones – £270,648 per week / £14,050,000 per year
A technically gifted defender for Manchester City, excelling in possession-based football.
4. Marquinhos – £301,308 per week / £15,630,000 per year
A versatile and intelligent defender for Paris Saint-Germain, leading their defensive unit.
3. David Alaba – £360,216 per week / £18,735,000 per year
An elite and versatile defender for Real Madrid, excelling both centrally and at full-back.
2. Aymeric Laporte – £400,481 per week / £20,825,000 per year
A ball-playing defender for Al-Nassr, excelling in passing and defensive awareness.
1. Kalidou Koulibaly – £567,212 per week / £29,495,000 per year
A dominant and experienced center-back for Al-Hilal, known for his leadership and defensive excellence.
