Center backs are responsible for defending against the opposition's attacks and organizing their team's defense. They are typically strong, physically imposing players adept at winning tackles and headers. 

In FIFA, the best center-backs are often highly rated for their defensive attributes, such as tackling, marking, heading, and positioning. They may also possess good passing and leadership skills, which allow them to play a crucial role in their team's overall strategy. Today’s post will discuss the top 25 center-backs FIFA 23 has to offer.

25. Ronal Araujo - 83

Ronald Araújo Defensive Skills, Tackles & Goals | HD

Ronald Araujo is a professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for FC Barcelona and the Uruguayan national team. He is known for his strong physical presence, excellent aerial ability, and solid defensive skills. 

What makes Araujo a fantastic player?

• He is known for his strong physical presence, excellent aerial ability, and solid defensive skills.
• He is also highly regarded for his leadership abilities and ability to read the game and anticipate opponents' movements.
• Araujo has a strong tackle and is comfortable in possession, able to play out from the back and contribute to his team's build-up play. 

Araujo’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Ronald%20Araujo/253163

24. John Stones - 83

John Stones | Skills and Goals

John Stones is a professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Manchester City in the English Premier League and the England national team. He is known for his technical skills, ability to read the game, and calm and composed demeanor on the pitch.

What makes John a fantastic player?

• Stones has a reputation as a ball-playing defender, meaning he is comfortable in possession and capable of starting attacks from the back with accurate passes. 
• He is also strong in the air and physically imposing, which makes him effective at defending against aerial threats. 
•  He is known for his technical skills, ability to read the game, and calm and composed demeanor on the pitch.

John’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/John%20Stones/203574

23. Giorgio Chiellini - 84

Giorgio Chiellini | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Giorgio Chiellini is considered a world-class defender for several reasons. He is known for his physical strength, tireless work ethic, and excellent positioning. Chiellini is also known for his leadership and communication skills, which have helped him anchor the defense for his former club team, Juventus, and the Italian national team.

What makes Chiellini an amazing player?

• One of Chiellini's standout qualities is his ability to anticipate and read the game. He can predict the movements of opposing attackers and make timely interceptions and tackles.
• His physicality and strength make him a formidable force in one-on-one duels, and he can win possession back for his team in crucial moments.
• Besides his defensive skills, Chiellini is also a threat in the attacking third of the pitch. He is a powerful ball header and has scored several important goals for the club and country.

Chiellini’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Giorgio%20Chiellini/138956

22. Steffan De Vrij - 84

Stefan de Vrij 2022 - Crazy Defensive Skills & Tackles | HD

Stefan de Vrij is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Serie A club Inter Milan and the Dutch national team. He is considered a world-class defender due to his strong technical ability, defensive awareness, and leadership skills.

What makes De Vrij an amazing player?

• De Vrij is known for his intelligence, ability to read the game, and ability to anticipate and intercept passes.
• He is also a strong tackler and can effectively defend against opponents in one-on-one situations.
• In addition to his defensive skills, de Vrij is known for his ability to contribute to his team's attack, whether through his passing ability or by making runs into the opposition's box.

De Vrij’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Stefan%20de%20Vrij/198176

21. Joel Matip - 84

Joël Matip - When Football Becomes Art

Joel Matip is a professional soccer player who currently plays as a center-back for Liverpool Football Club in the English Premier League and the Cameroon national team. He is known for his strong defensive skills and ability to read the game well, as well as his size and physicality, which allow him to win aerial battles and make crucial tackles.

What makes Matip an amazing player?

• One essential quality that makes Matip a world-class defender is his positioning. He is very good at positioning himself in the right place at the right time to make vital interceptions and tackles. 
• In addition to his defensive skills, Matip is known for his ability to contribute offensively. He is comfortable on the ball and can play passes out of the back, which is essential for building up play from the back.
• Overall, Matip's combination of defensive skills, physicality, and offensive ability make him a valuable player for both Liverpool and the Cameroon national team. His performances have earned him a reputation as a top-class defender.

Matip’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Joel%20Matip/197061

20. Leonardo Bonucci - 84

Leonardo Bonucci | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Leonardo Bonucci is a professional soccer player who has consistently been one of the top defenders in the world. Several factors contribute to his status as a world-class defender:

• Physical abilities: Bonucci is a physically imposing player, standing at 6'3" and possessing excellent strength and endurance. This allows him to excel in one-on-one situations and in the air when defending set pieces.
• Technically gifted: Bonucci is also known for his technical ability as a defender. He is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can easily play out from the back. This makes him a valuable asset in teams that look to build their attacks from the back.
• Tactical awareness: Bonucci is known for his ability to read the game and anticipate the movements of opposing attackers. This allows him to make timely interceptions and clearances and to organize the defensive line effectively.
• Leadership skills: Besides his technical and tactical abilities, Bonucci is a respected leader on and off the pitch. He has captained several clubs and has consistently been a critical figure in the dressing room.

Bonucci’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Leonardo%20Bonucci/184344

19. Alessandro Bastoni - 84

Alessandro Bastoni | Inter Milan | Skills 2022

Alessio Bastoni is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Inter Milan and the Italian national team. Several factors contribute to Bastoni's status as a world-class defender.

What makes Bastoni an amazing player?

• Physical attributes: Bastoni is tall, strong, and athletic, which allows him to excel in the physical aspects of defending, such as winning aerial duels and making tackles.
• Technical skills: Bastoni is a skilled and confident ball-handler, which allows him to play out from the back and start attacks from deep positions. He is also a good passer, which helps him to distribute the ball effectively and set up scoring opportunities for his team.
• Tactical awareness: Bastoni is a bright, intelligent defender who can read the game well and anticipate opposition movements. This allows him to position himself effectively and make timely interventions to break up attacks.
• Consistency: Bastoni has consistently performed at a high level for his club and national team, which is a critical factor in being considered a world-class player.

Bastoni’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Alessandro%20Bastoni/237383

18. Fikayo Tomori - 84

Fikayo Tomori - Defensive Skills & Goals

Fikayo Tomori is a professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Serie A club AC Milan and the England national team. He has been praised for his technical skills, athleticism, and defensive awareness, all critical qualities for a world-class defender.

What makes Tomori an amazing player?

• One of Tomori's key strengths is his speed and agility, which allow him to keep up with fast attackers and make timely interceptions.
• He is also known for his ability to read the game and anticipate opposing players' movements, enabling him to make well-timed tackles and interceptions.
• Overall, Tomori's combination of technical ability, defensive awareness, athleticism, and mental toughness make him a top-class defender capable of competing at the game's highest level.

Tomori’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Fikayo%20Tomori/232756

17. Mats Hummels - 84

Mats Hummels - Magical Skills & Goals

Overall, Hummels' combination of defensive skills, technical ability, and physical presence make him one of the best defenders in the world. What makes Hummels a fantastic player?

• First and foremost, he is an excellent tackler and can win the ball back for his team.
• He is also very good at reading the game and anticipating where the ball is likely to go, which allows him to intercept passes and make crucial tackles.
• In addition to his defensive skills, Hummels is composed on the ball and can play out of the back with precision and accuracy. 

Hummels’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Mats%20Hummels/178603

16. Raphael Varane - 84

Raphael Varane - Amazing Tackles & skills

Raphael Varane is regarded as one of the world's best defenders due to several factors, including his technical ability, physical attributes, and tactical awareness.

What makes Varane an amazing player?

• Technical ability: Varane is an excellent ball-playing center-back with good footwork and the ability to pass the ball accurately and effectively. He is also comfortable dribbling out of defense and launching counter-attacks, a valuable skill in modern soccer.
• Physical attributes: Varane is a physically imposing player with good size and strength. He is also quick and agile, which allows him to defend well against attackers and recover well when beaten.
• Tactical awareness: Varane is known for his intelligence and understanding of the game. He reads the play well and can anticipate opposing attackers' movements, enabling him to make timely interceptions and tackles. He is also a good organizer and communicator, which helps him marshal the defense effectively.

Varane’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Raphael%20Varane/201535

15. Sergio Ramos - 84

Sergio Ramos Destroying Everyone 

No one thought they would see Ramos and Messi on the same team. Somehow they both ended up at PSG. Sergio Ramos is widely considered one of the best defenders in the world, and several factors contribute to his success in this role.

What makes Ramos an amazing player?

• Ramos is a physically imposing and athletic player who is vital in the tackle and can defend effectively against attackers.
• He is also a knowledgeable and tactical player who can read the game well and anticipate opponents' movements. This allows him to make timely interceptions and blocks and to position himself effectively to defend against attacks.
• Ramos is also a very confident and aggressive player who is not afraid to take risks to win the ball. This aggressive approach can be both a strength and a weakness at times, as it can lead to fouls and cards, but it also allows him to make crucial tackles and clearances that can turn the tide of a game.

Ramo’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Sergio%20Ramos/155862

14. Lucas Hernandez - 84

Lucas HernandezAmazing Skills Show

Lucas Hernandez is a world-class defender known for his versatility and technical ability. He is comfortable playing as a center-back or left-back and is known for his strong tackling, positioning, and ability to read the game.

What makes Hernandez an amazing player?

• Hernandez has a solid physical presence and is known for his ability to win aerial battles, both offensively and defensively. 
• Hernandez is also an excellent ball-handler and passer and can contribute to the attack by starting counter-attacks and building play from the back.
• He is comfortable playing as a center-back or left-back and is known for his strong tackling, positioning, and ability to read the game.

Lucas’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Lucas%20Hernandez/220814

13. Eder Militao - 84

Eder Militao | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Eder Militao is a Brazilian professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. Several factors contribute to his status as a world-class defender:

• Physical attributes: Militao is known for his impressive physicality and athleticism, allowing him to cover ground quickly and challenge the ball effectively.
• Technical ability: Militao is a technically proficient defender who is comfortable on the ball and able to play out of the back easily. He has an excellent first touch and can pass accurately under pressure.
• Tactical awareness: Militao is an intelligent defender who understands how to position himself within a team's defensive shape. He reads the game well and can anticipate danger before it arises.
• Mental toughness: Militao is known for his toughness and pitch resilience. He can stay focused and composed under pressure, which is essential for a defender.

Militao’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Eder%20Militao/240130

12. Jules Kounde - 84

Jules Kounde | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Jules Kounde is a young, talented defender who plays for Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga and the French national team. He is known for his excellent defensive skills, ability to read the game, anticipate opposition attacks, and ability to intercept passes.

What makes Kounde an amazing player?

• He is known for his excellent defensive skills, ability to read the game, anticipate opposition attacks, and intercept passes.
• He is also strong in the air and quick on his feet, which enables him to defend effectively against attackers. 
• Kounde is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and is capable of bringing the ball out of defense and starting attacking moves. 

Kounde’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Jules%20Kounde/241486

11. Mathhij De Ligt - 85

Matthijs de Ligt | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Matthijs de Ligt is a world-class defender known for his excellent positioning, anticipation, and decision-making. He is also physically strong and quick, enabling him to defend against various attackers. 

What makes De Ligt an amazing player?

• He is physically strong and quick, which enables him to defend against various attackers.
• De Ligt is also an excellent ball-playing center-back, meaning he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can initiate attacking plays from the back. 
• He is known for his excellent positioning, anticipation, and decision-making. 

De Ligt’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Matthijs%20de%20Ligt/235243

10. Niklas Sule - 85

Niklas Sule - Crazy Defensive Skills & Goals | HD

In FIFA 23, Niklas Sule has generally been considered a good center-back because of his physical attributes and defensive abilities. Some specific qualities that contribute to his effectiveness as a center back include:

• Physicality: Sule is a tall, strong player who can effectively win aerial duels and overpower opponents in one-on-one situations. This makes him well-suited to defend against crosses and set pieces.
• Defending: Sule has good tackling and interception abilities, which help him to disrupt opposing attacks and win the ball back for his team. He also has good positioning and awareness, allowing him to anticipate and react to danger in his defensive area.
• Passing: Sule is a competent ball passer, essential for a center-back in modern football. He can play out of the back and start counter-attacks with accurate passes to his teammates.

Sule’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Niklas%20Sule/212190

9. Milan Skriniar - 86

Milan Skriniar - Fantastic Defensive Skills 

Milan Skriniar is generally considered a good center-back due to his high overall rating and many strong attributes. Some of the key attributes that contribute to Skriniar's effectiveness as a center back in FIFA 23 include:

• Physicality: Skriniar has high ratings for attributes like strength, jumping, and sliding tackle, which make him well-suited for challenging opponents in the air and winning duels on the ground.
• Defending: Skriniar has strong ratings for defensive attributes like tackling, positioning, and interceptions, which help him make effective tackles and intercept passes.
• Passing: Skriniar also has good ratings for passing attributes like short passing, long passing, and vision, which allow him to play the ball out of the back and start attacks from deep positions.
• Pace: Skriniar has decent pace ratings, which allow him to keep up with quick forwards and make recovery runs when needed.

Skriniar’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Milan%20Skriniar/232363 

8. David Alaba - 86

David Alaba  Magical Skills & Goals

David Alaba is a versatile player who has played in various positions throughout his career, including center back. He is known for his strong defensive skills and ability to read the game well.

What makes Alaba an amazing player?

• He is known for his strong defensive skills and ability to read the game well.
• He is also a good ball passer and can start attacks from the back with his accurate distribution. 
• Additionally, Alaba is physically strong and has an excellent aerial presence, which can make him a threat on set pieces. These qualities make him a good center back on FIFA 23 and real life.

Alaba’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/David%20Alaba/197445

7. Thiago Silva - 86

Thiago Silva Defensive Skills & Goals

In FIFA 23, Thiago Silva is considered a good center-back because he has high ratings in several key attributes that are important for a center-back. These attributes include:

• Physicality: Silva has high ratings in strength, aggression, and jumping, which help him win physical battles against attackers and win aerial duels.
• Defending: Silva has high ratings in tackling, marking, and positioning, which help him effectively defend against opposing attackers.
• Passing: Silva has high ratings in short and long passes, which allow him to start attacking moves by accurately passing the ball to teammates.

Silva’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Thiago%20Silva/164240

6. Aymeric Laporte - 86

Aymeric Laporte | Skills and Goals

Laporte is a good center-back because he has a high overall rating and solid defensive attributes. His overall rating of 86 makes him one of the better center-backs in the game, and his defensive attributes, such as tackling, marking, and positioning, are all rated at least 80 out of 100. This means that he effectively wins the ball back for his team and prevents opposition attacks.

What makes Laporte an amazing player?

• Laporte is a well-rounded center-back who excels in defense and can also contribute to his team in other areas of the pitch.
• He also has an excellent passing ability, which allows him to start counter-attacks or play the ball out of defense to his teammates.
• In addition to his strong defensive abilities, Laporte also has good physical attributes, including pace and strength, which help him win aerial battles and track back to defend against fast attackers.

Laporte’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Aymeric%20Laporte/212218

5. Kalidou Koulibaly - 87

Kalidou Koulibaly | Skills and Highlights

Kalidou Koulibaly is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Chelsea FC and the Senegal national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best center-backs in the world due to his strong defensive skills, physicality, and leadership.

What makes Koulibaly an amazing player?

• Physicality: Koulibaly is known for his robust frame, which allows him to excel in one-on-one duels and aerial battles. He can also outmuscle and overpower opponents, making it difficult for them to get past him.
• Defensive skills: Koulibaly is a solid and reliable defender who is good at positioning, tackling, and intercepting the ball. He has excellent anticipation and can read the game well, often anticipating and intercepting passes before they reach their intended target.
• Technical ability: Koulibaly is known for his technical ability and ball control. He is comfortable in possession and can play passes accurately and effectively, often starting counter-attacks with his passes out of defense.

Koulibaly’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Kalidou%20Koulibaly/201024

4. Antonio Rudiger - 87

Antonio Rudiger | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Antonio Rudiger is a professional soccer player who plays as a center-back for Real Madrid FC and the German national team. As a center-back, Rudiger is responsible for defending against opposing attacks and organizing the defense.

What makes Rudiger an amazing player?

• Physicality: Rudiger is known for his strength and athleticism, which allows him to win aerial duels and make strong tackles.
• Speed: Rudiger has good speed and quickness, which allows him to cover ground and keep up with fast attacking players.
• Positioning: Rudiger has a good sense of positioning and can anticipate opposing players' movements, allowing him to intercept passes and make timely tackles.
• Technically proficient: Rudiger is a technically skilled player and is comfortable with the ball at his feet, which allows him to play out from the back and start attacks from deep.

Rudiger’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Antonio%20Rudiger/205452

3. Ruben Diaz - 88

Ruben Dias  Crazy Tackles & Goals

Manchester City’s defender Ruben Diaz is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. His rise started at Benfica, and later on, he moved to Manchester City, where he has continued to grow his skills as a center-back.

What makes Diaz an exceptional defender?

• Physicality: Diaz is known for his strength and athleticism, which allows him to win aerial duels and make strong tackles.
• Diaz is a technically proficient player and is comfortable with the ball at his feet, which allows him to play out from the back and start attacks from deep.
• Positioning: Diaz has a good sense of positioning and can anticipate opposing players' movements, allowing him to intercept passes and make timely tackles.

Diaz’s stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Ruben%20Dias/239818

2. Marquinhos - 88

Marquinhos | Skills and Goals | Highlights

Marquinhos is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team. Several attributes make Marquinhos an excellent center-back.

What makes Marquinhos an amazing player?

• Marquinhos is a very talented and skilled defender. He is strong in the tackle, able to make timely interventions to dispossess opponents and disrupt their attacks.
• Marquinhos is also very quick and agile, which allows him to cover a lot of ground and defend effectively against fast attacking players. 
• He is also physically strong and dominant in the air, making him a formidable opponent for forwards in aerial duels.

Marquinhos stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Marquinhos/207865

1. Van Dijk - 90

Virgil Van Dijk - Skills and Goals - Highlights

Virgil van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the best center-backs in the world, and several factors contribute to his success.

What makes Van Dijk an amazing player?

• First, van Dijk is physically imposing, standing at 6'4" and possessing excellent strength and athleticism. This allows him to be dominant in the air and defend against attackers effectively in one-on-one situations.
• Second, van Dijk is a brilliant and technically proficient player. He reads the game well and can anticipate the movements of opposing attackers, making timely interceptions and tackles. He is also comfortable on the ball and can bring the ball out of defense and start attacking moves.
• Overall, van Dijk's combination of physicality, intelligence, technical ability, and leadership make him an outstanding center-back and a key player for any team he represents.

Van Dijk stats: https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-23/ratings/player-name/Virgil%20van%20Dijk/203376

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