Top 5 center-backs in the world right now

There's no point in esteeming the center-backs. After all, you barely see them on the scorecard racking up invaluable goals or making key passes to set up those goals.

This breed is rather infamous for doing the dirty work at the back, clattering the highly-fancied forwards, thwarting the stupendous goals and imperiling players' careers with life-threatening tackles. What's the need of honoring such goons?

Well, that is because they are as consequential as hero-worshipped strikers and midfielders, only more if not the same. This might not be the case in the eyes of a number of spectators but you do discern their sway by putting yourself in their managers' shoes.

This was perfectly summed up by Sir Alex Ferguson's noteworthy quote:

"Attack wins you games, defense wins you titles"

On that note, let us take a look at the 5 best center-backs in the world presently.

Also Read: Top 5 goalkeepers in the world right now

#5 Leonardo Bonucci

Bonucci would have been manifestly higher up this list if it had not been for his recent season with AC Milan.

The 31-year-old is a sturdy defender with plenty of experience. His stint with Juventus saw the club clinch six successive Serie A and three Coppa Italia titles. The Old Lady also reached two UEFA Champions League finals but failed to lift the trophy both the times.

During his time in Turin, the Italian, together with Giorgio Chiellini, helped Juventus create an impenetrable defense. However, in the 2017 transfer market, he made an unanticipated switch to AC Milan for €42m, which did not turn out as expected.

He made 51 appearances for AC Milan this season. In the Italian Serie A, Bonucci has won 19 tackles this season with a success rate of 41%. He has made 44 interceptions, 118 clearances, and 19 blocks.

The former Juventus center-back is a hot property in the ongoing transfer window.

#4 Kalidou Koulibaly

Enter captio — Koulibaly is one of the most sought-after defenders in the current transfer window

Kalidou Koulibaly has established himself as a reliable center-back this season. His stellar performances were one of the key reasons of Napoli's domestic success as they finished 2nd in Serie A, only 4 points adrift of Juventus.

The Senegalese defender is well-known for his passing ability and versatility, which enabled him to excel in Maurizio Sarri's possession-based system. He is also strong in the air, making him a genuine goal-threat in the set pieces.

The 26-year-old has made 45 appearances for Napoli across all competitions in 2017-18. In Serie A, he has won 40 tackles this season with a success rate of 48% and has made 37 interceptions, 113 clearances and 14 blocks.

Koulibaly is one of the most sought-after defenders in the current transfer window.

#3 Mats Hummels

Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for €35m, Hummels has been a regular starter for Bayern Munich. He has been in the list of the best defenders for quite some time.

The German international had to assume a much tougher role this season due to the absence of Bayern's talisman, Manuel Neuer, who was ruled out because of a broken foot in mid-September.

His strength, composure, ball playing ability and versatility has earned him plaudits from football experts. Hummels also has attacking expertise which makes him a goal-threat, especially in set-pieces.

He has featured in 41 matches for The Bavarians this season. His absence was strongly felt in Bayern's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of quarter final and the German was forced to play in the second leg even though he was not full-blown.

In Champions League, the 29-year-old has won seven tackles this season with a success rate of 33%. He has made eight interceptions, 21 clearances and three blocks.

#2 Gerard Piqué

Not many could predict the success Pique has achieved at Barcelona when he returned to his boyhood club from Manchester United.

The Spanish international has won everything at club and international level. He has inspired Barcelona to seven La Liga, six Copa Del Rey and three UEFA Champions League titles.

In the early stage of the campaign, Pique showed portents of age catching up with him, heralding an inauspicious season. However, the Spaniard did not take long in proving his critics wrong, as he remained instrumental in the club's triumphs.

Barcelona ran riot domestically this season, clinching La Liga and Copa Del Rey in grand fashion despite an inglorious departure from UEFA Champions League after being humbled by AS Roma in the quarter-finals.

In La Liga, the 31-year-old has won 17 tackles this season with a success rate of 34%. He has made 24 interceptions, 105 clearances and 23 blocks.

Pique is now looking forward to representing Spanish national team in World Cup 2018 having already made 96 appearances internationally.

#1 Sergio Ramos

This one was perhaps the most predictable entry on the list, wasn't it?

The Spaniard could not have asked for a better ending to the 2017-18 season as he lifted the UEFA Champions League title for the fourth time in the last five years on Saturday evening.

Over the course of the years, Ramos has established himself as arguably the best center-back of this generation. He is a tough defender both physically and mentally.

The Real Madrid captain has won four La Liga and Champions League titles during his stint at Los Blancos. Although the Spanish club was quite underwhelming domestically, they did manage to end the season in a remarkable fashion, breaking a host of records.

The 32-year-old featured in 41 matches across all competitions in 2017-18. In Champions League, Ramos won 11 tackles this season with a success rate of 34% and also made 11 interceptions, 25 clearances and nine blocks.

He is going to skipper the Spanish national team in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. It is a telling fact that Ramos already has 155 international caps to his name with 13 international goals.

Edited by Zeeshan Ali