Several defenders have been given high ratings in FIFA 24, reflecting their exceptional skills and contributions to their respective clubs.
- Premier League Dominance: The English Premier League is well-represented with players like Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), and John Stones (Manchester City) all receiving ratings in the high 80s.
- La Liga Powerhouses: Real Madrid and Barcelona have multiple defenders in the top tier, including Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Eder Militao (Real Madrid), as well as Mapi Leon, Irene Parades, and Ronald Araujo (Barcelona).
- Continental Stars: Defenders from other top European leagues like Serie A (Alessandro Bastoni, Bremer), Ligue 1 (Marquinhos), and the Bundesliga (Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck) also feature prominently in the list.
- Women's Football Representation: Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC), Millie Bright (Chelsea), and Leah Williamson (Arsenal) are among the top-rated defenders in women's football.
These players are expected to be highly sought after in FIFA 24's Ultimate Team mode due to their impressive ratings and defensive abilities.
Leaked ratings reveal the top 20 CBs in FIFA 25 Ultimate Team (excluding Heroes and Icons). While these ratings might undergo slight adjustments before the game's release, it's unlikely that the top contenders will change significantly.
Virgil van Dijk, the reigning champion, once again secures his spot as the premier center-back in FIFA 25. His base gold card was a fan favorite in the previous game and is expected to maintain its popularity this year.
Joining him at the pinnacle is Mapi Leon, fresh from her treble-winning season with Barcelona. Antonio Rudiger, on the other hand, receives a well-deserved upgrade to 88, making his base gold card a strong contender for early-game dominance, especially if it comes with the Bruiser PlayStyle+ trait.
William Saliba, known for his impressive performances with Arsenal, is another top-tier center-back to watch out for in FIFA 25.
To excel as a central defender in EA FC 25, it's essential to prioritize players with high Physicality and Defending stats. A minimum of 80+ Physicality ensures strength and robustness in challenges, while 85+ Defending guarantees exceptional positioning and tackling abilities.
Pace is another crucial attribute. A rating of 70+ allows defenders to keep up with the game's fastest attackers and prevent counter-attacks.
When considering Playstyles, Anticipate, Bruiser, and Intercept are likely to dominate the meta. These playstyles offer crucial defensive attributes like predicting opponents' moves, being physically imposing, and intercepting passes.
Finally, the best center-backs often have Accelerate types like Lengthy, Controlled Lengthy, or Mostly Lengthy. These types compensate for any perceived lack of pace over long distances, ensuring defenders can recover quickly and effectively.
Stay tuned for updates on the meta center-backs and budget options once EA FC 25 is released. In the meantime, explore the exciting new Heroes & Icons and the innovative Rush mode.