Real Madrid: Ranking the top 10 players before 2019-2020 resumes

2. Real Madrid CB Raphael Varane

A legitimate Ballon d’Or contender in 2019 who pushed Lionel Messi for the prestigious individual award, Virgil van Dijk is often discussed as the best defender in the world. And it’s deserved. However, it’s not clearly VVD, since Raphael Varane of Real Madrid has an equally compelling case to be the world’s best center back despite more people focusing on the Premier League.

Varane has been world-class for years, and he should have received similar Ballon d’Or love in 2018 when he won the World Cup as France’s captain and Champions League as a crucial starter for Real Madrid.

An incredibly intelligent defender, Varane rarely makes mistakes and covers so much ground. Sergio Ramos makes more tackles and interceptions in the more aggressive center back role, but Varane is the one charged with cleaning up for Ramos whenever the captain decides to make a run forward into midfield or even the attacking third.

And against Getafe, Varane scored and created an own goal to show that he also has the technical quality and instincts in the penalty box to score necessary goals when called upon.

Varane is Real Madrid’s future captain whenever Sergio Ramos retires, and the club will still feel in safe hands with him leading the way. As the France national team’s defensive – and overall – success shows, Varane is an excellent leader.