Now defensive players in soccer are used to do much more than only maintain clean sheets, they are the starters of the attacks, the tempo dictators, or even deep playmakers. As the highest importance is given to elite defenders, it is not a surprise that many of them have blinding salaries now. This list ranks the top 20 highest paid defenders as at the year 2025, based on annual compensation.
20. Jonathan Tah – €12 Million
The latest addition to Bayern Munich is a German international, Jonathan Tah, who arrived on a free transfer agreeing on a 4-year contract expiring in June 2029. The transfer is a significant milestone in his career since he has played a long time with the Bayer Leverkusen.
19. Kim Min-jae – €12 Million
In 2023, Bayern Munich activated a PS50 million release clause of Kim Min-jae with Napoli. At that time a South Korean defender, signed on a contract that would run until 2028, he broke every record to become the most expensive Asian footballer when he moved to the German giants.
18. Wesley Fofana – €12.3 Million
Fofana extended his contract to a 7-year commitment with Chelsea in August 2022 through to 2029. The young Frenchman is still one of the major earners, across the world and in the Premier League.
17. Joško Gvardiol – €12.3 Million
In 2023, Gvardiol moved to Manchester City after impressing in the 2022 World Cup and shining in RB Leipzig. The Croat is on contract until 2028 and he rapidly became one of the main figures in the team of Pep Guardiola.
16. Ben Chilwell – €12.3 Million
The first five-year contract signed by Chilwell with Chelsea (2020) was renewed in 2023, so he will play in the club until 2027. His contributions in form of performance and leadership in the left flank made him receive a profitable renewal.
15. Jules Koundé – €13.5 Million
The French national defender performs at FC Barcelona and has a contract till 2027. His salary is characteristic of a significant player in a revamping Barca team and the stability of the player in the La Liga.
14. Éder Militão – €13.5 Million
One of the pillars of the Real Madrid defense, Militiao signed a contract extension until the year 2028. The Brazilian has become one of the most consistent defenders in Europe since joining Porto in the year 2019
13. Achraf Hakimi – €13.5 Million
12. Antonio Rüdiger – €14.3 Million
The centre-back of the German team transferred to Real Madrid in 2022 following a free transfer at Chelsea. The validity of his contract expires in 2026, and he is still among the most paid players in the Madrid defence department.
11. João Cancelo – €14.8 Million
Cancelo signed with Bayern and Barcelona on loan before a permanent move to Al Hilal, which cost 21.2 million pound. His stay at Manchester City came to an end when he had a conflict with Pep Guardiola as to who would play.
10. Reece James – €15.3 Million
In 2022, one of the products of the academy of Chelsea signed a six-year extension doubling his wages. Nonetheless, James is most frequently recognized as being one of the best right-backs in the global football scene and a prospective pillar at the Chelsea club.
9. John Stones – €15.3 Million
Stones was signed in 2016 at Everton and has become a leader at Manchester City. He is still under contract until 2026 and his wages are around an average of 13 million a year.
8. Trent Alexander-Arnold – €15.5 Million
An innovative figure on the right-back, Trent keeps transforming the position with his range of passing and sight. His displays in the Liverpool team have made him one of the well-paid defenders in the world.
7. Marquinhos – €16.6 Million
Their defense is the pulse of the body thanks to the presence of the PSG captain who joined the club back in 2013. His latest contract shows his leadership and his consistency as he is reportedly earning a weekly salary of 250,000 pounds.
6. Lucas Hernandez – €18.7 Million
Lucas Hernandez is a player on a five-year contract that joined PSG after leaving Bayern Munich. The transfer fee of the French international is said to be around the mark of €40m and currently he has one of the best salaries in the game.
5. Alphonso Davies – €18.7 Million
Recently Bayern Munich renewed the contract of Davies until 2030. The Canadian speedster had turned down an offer by Real Madrid to play in Germany, where he has become one of the most popular players and also one of the finest left-backs ever.
4. David Alaba – €22.8 Million
Following his departure at Bayern in 2021, Alaba transferred to Real Madrid as a free agent. He gets almost 20 million euros a season and has an outrageous release clause of 845 million euros, with this showing how invaluable he has been to Los Blancos.
3. Virgil van Dijk – €24.6 Million
The Dutch giant extended his contract at Liverpool until 2027, recently. Van Dijk was signed in 2018 at a record fee paid to a defender, and has since won all major trophies with the Reds, and still earns top scale wages.
2. Aymeric Laporte – €24.6 Million
Laporte was transferred to a Saudi Pro League club, Al Nassr, leaving Manchester City. Covering headlines, the move sees him take home more than 400,000 pounds a week. Dazzling at Euro 2024 reminded the fans about his world-class skills.
1. Kalidou Koulibaly – €36 Million
Koulibaly is currently the highest paid defender in the world after transferring to Al Hilal by a sum of 21.5 million pounds, leaving the Chelsea team. Although he spent a brief period in England, given his status in Napoli, when he was among the finest in the Serie A, he still got a blockbuster deal in Saudi Arabia.
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