La Liga has no shortage of standout defenders who play critical roles in their teams’ successes. This ranking focuses solely on the defensive contributions of these players, highlighting their ability to disrupt opposition attacks, win duels, and maintain discipline on the field. We’ve deliberately set aside any attacking statistics or contributions to keep the spotlight on pure defensive skill.
Each player on this list, whether a seasoned veteran or an emerging talent, has earned their place through their tackling success, aerial duels, recoveries, interceptions, and overall consistency. From the experienced defenders anchoring their backlines to young players making a name for themselves, this ranking reflects the best purely defensive efforts in La Liga right now.
10. Eder Militao – Real Madrid (Center-Back)
Despite currently being sidelined with an injury, Eder Militao made a powerful start to the season. Known for his aggressive tackling and aerial presence, Militao has been a cornerstone in Real Madrid’s backline.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 17 (89.5% success rate) – Militao’s high tackle success rate exemplifies his tenacity in one-on-one challenges.
• Duels Won: 53 (56.4% success rate) – His physicality and timing make him tough to beat in direct confrontations.
• Aerial Duels Won: 21 (63.6% success rate) – Militao’s aerial dominance has been crucial for Real Madrid, particularly in set-piece situations.
• Interceptions: 12 – His quick reactions and ability to read the game contribute significantly to cutting off attacks.
• Recoveries: 44 – Militao’s recovery rate reinforces his role as a proactive defender, always looking to regain control.
• Discipline: 2 yellow cards but no red, indicating his controlled aggression on the field.
9. Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid (Right-Back)
Although currently injured and set to return in September 2025, Dani Carvajal’s stats reflect his impactful play early in the season. Known for his energetic style and willingness to engage in duels, Carvajal remains an essential component of Real Madrid’s defense.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 8 (66.7% success rate) – Carvajal’s tackling precision ensures his presence is felt in defensive situations.
• Duels Won: 27 (57.4% success rate) – His combative nature makes him difficult to bypass.
• Aerial Duels Won: 7 (58.3% success rate) – Carvajal is reliable in aerial challenges, adding to his versatility.
• Interceptions: 10 – His anticipation and positioning allow him to intercept and disrupt opposition attacks.
• Recoveries: 21 – Carvajal’s ability to regain possession is an asset for Madrid in transitioning from defense to attack.
• Discipline: 2 yellow cards, no red, showing his maturity and experience in handling intense situations.
8. Miguel Gutiérrez – Girona (Left-Back)
Playing on Girona’s left flank, Miguel Gutiérrez has been a key figure with his defensive solidity and tactical awareness. Gutiérrez’s high number of recoveries and interceptions make him a valuable asset for Girona’s defense.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 13 (68.4% success rate) – Gutiérrez’s tackling precision allows him to neutralize opposing threats.
• Duels Won: 48 (52.7% success rate) – He holds his own in one-on-one duels, showcasing his physical resilience.
• Aerial Duels Won: 3 (37.5% success rate) – Although not dominant in the air, his ground-based defense is solid.
• Interceptions: 9 – His awareness and reading of the game contribute to his interception count.
• Recoveries: 62 – One of the highest recovery counts, underlining his work rate and focus on winning back possession.
• Discipline: Zero yellow or red cards, highlighting his clean and disciplined playstyle.
7. Andrei Ratiu – Rayo Vallecano (Right-Back)
Ratiu has been one of the key defensive players for Rayo Vallecano, showing consistent performance on the right side with impressive recoveries and defensive duels.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 13 (65% success rate) – Ratiu’s successful tackles help disrupt opposition play and maintain defensive stability.
• Duels Won: 46 (48.4% success rate) – He engages confidently in duels, even though there’s room for improvement in his success rate.
• Aerial Duels Won: 3 (25% success rate) – A minor aspect of his game but shows he can challenge aerially when needed.
• Interceptions: 7 – His anticipation aids in intercepting passes and breaking up plays.
• Recoveries: 48 – His high recovery rate supports Rayo’s transitional play.
• Discipline: Only 1 yellow card, showing composure on the pitch.
6. Jon Aramburu – Real Sociedad (Right-Back)
Aramburu’s emergence as a reliable right-back for Real Sociedad is reflected in his high tackle and duel success rates. His defensive instincts make him a challenging opponent.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 25 (75.8% success rate) – Aramburu’s high tackle success rate shows his efficiency in dispossessing opponents.
• Duels Won: 56 (61.5% success rate) – His physicality and timing make him a dependable choice in one-on-one situations.
• Aerial Duels Won: 13 (61.9% success rate) – His aerial ability strengthens Sociedad’s defense against set-pieces.
• Interceptions: 5 – His positioning allows him to cut off passing lanes effectively.
• Recoveries: 33 – His efforts in regaining possession help Sociedad maintain control.
• Discipline: 3 yellow cards but no red, indicating controlled aggression.
5. Óscar de Marcos – Athletic Club (Right-Back)
As a seasoned right-back, de Marcos brings experience and consistency to Athletic Club’s defense. His tackling and interception numbers highlight his strong defensive contributions.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 8 (47.1% success rate) – De Marcos uses his experience to time his tackles effectively.
• Duels Won: 23 (48.9% success rate) – Though lower, his defensive positioning compensates.
• Interceptions: 10 – His awareness in reading the game shines through.
4. Pau Curbasi- Barcelona (Center-back)
At just 16, Curbasi has quickly made a name for himself. Partnering with Martínez, Curbasi has displayed remarkable composure and awareness, marking him as a future star. Despite his youth, his stats reflect a player who can hold his own in high-stakes situations.
Defensive Contributions:• Tackles Won: 6 (66.7% success rate)•
Duels Won: 34 (54% success rate)
• Aerial Duels Won: 19 (59.4% success rate)
• Interceptions: 6
• Recoveries: 24
CWhile Curbasi has room to improve, particularly in aerial duels and overall duels, his statistics are impressive for a player of his age. His ability to recover possession (24 recoveries) and make tactical fouls when needed (9 fouls committed) shows a maturity and understanding of defensive responsibilities beyond his years.
3. Jules Koundé – Barcelona (Right-Back)
Koundé’s versatility and dynamic approach make him a key player on the right side of Barcelona’s defense. His tackling ability and recovery rate show his proactive style.
Defensive Contributions:
• Tackles Won: 15 (62.5% success rate) – His solid tackling allows Barcelona to halt opposition attacks.
• Duels Won: 50 (54.9% success rate) – Koundé’s physicality and speed make him hard to beat in direct confrontations.
• Interceptions: 4 – His anticipation helps Barcelona disrupt opposition plays.
A consistent defensive force, Martínez’s ability to win duels and intercept has made him a cornerstone of Barcelona’s backline.
• Recoveries: 38 – His recovery rate supports Barcelona’s control in midfield and defense.
Discipline:
• Penalties Conceded: 1
• Dribbled Past: 6
Curbasi’s occasional vulnerability, seen in instances of being dribbled past or conceding a penalty, is expected for a young player adapting to La Liga’s intensity. However, these moments of learning do not overshadow his evident potential and his current impact on the field.
Feel free to send more stats if you’d like to expand the rankings further!
2. Antonio Rüdiger-Real Madrid (center-back)
• Duels: 34 won (63% success rate)
• Aerial Duels: 17 won (58.6% success rate)
• Tackles: 4 won (50% success rate)
• Interceptions: 4
• Blocks: 3
• Recoveries: 40
• Possession Won in Final Third: 1
• Dispossessed: 1
• Fouls Committed: 6
• Fouls Won: 8
• Dribbled Past: 2
Discipline
• Yellow Cards: 0
• Red Cards: 0
Rüdiger’s stats highlight his effectiveness and discipline in defense. With a strong success rate in both ground and aerial duels, combined with high recovery numbers and minimal disciplinary issues, he remains a reliable figure in his defensive duties.
1. Iñigo Martínez- Barcelona (Center-back)
Iñigo Martínez has showcased his defensive prowess with a strong set of statistics for FC Barcelona. His contributions on the field highlight his role as a reliable and disciplined defender in the heart of Barcelona’s defense. Here’s a breakdown of his impressive performance this season:
Defensive Contributions
• Tackles Won: Martínez has won 6 tackles with a success rate of 60%. While the tackle count is moderate, his efficiency in choosing the right moments to tackle ensures stability in the backline.
• Duels and Aerial Duels: A critical aspect of Martínez’s game is his ability to win duels. He has won 45 duels with a high success rate of 70.3%, and out of 24 aerial duels, he has won 70.6%, demonstrating his strength in both ground and aerial battles.
• Interceptions and Recoveries: With 7 interceptions, Martínez reads the game effectively, positioning himself to cut off passing lanes. He also boasts 38 recoveries, highlighting his ability to regain possession and turn defense into offense.
• Blocks and Fouls: Martínez has blocked 3 shots and committed 9 fouls. His disciplined approach keeps him involved without crossing the line, allowing him to effectively disrupt the opposition’s play while staying on the right side of the law.
Discipline
• Yellow Cards: Martínez has received only 2 yellow cards so far, showing his disciplined approach to defending. With no red cards, he avoids rash challenges, maintaining composure under pressure.
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