Top 5 best defenders in La Liga 2023/24: Who is the king of the backline?

The 2023/24 season ended with Real Madrid crowned champions after a consistent and controlled performance. With the arrival of Jude Bellingham, the team maintained strong form throughout the campaign, losing only one match and finishing with 95 points. The league also saw impressive performances from other sides, including Girona, who finished third ahead of Atletico Madrid. Below, nowgoalpro.net lists the five best defenders in La Liga 2023/24.

Top 5 best defenders in La Liga 2023/24

1. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)

During the 2023/24 season, Rudiger became a key figure in Real Madrid’s defense. With David Alaba and Eder Militao struggling with injuries and Thibaut Courtois sidelined for a long period, Rudiger played an important role at the back. He featured in 33 matches, starting 30 of them. His defensive numbers per 90 minutes were also strong.

The German defender averaged 2.5 clearances, 0.6 blocked shots, 1.0 interceptions, and 1.2 tackles per game. His aerial duel success rate reached 63%. In addition, he contributed to the team’s build-up play with a 90% pass accuracy rate, completing 3.5 long passes and recording around 75 touches per game. His consistency helped Real Madrid concede only 26 goals and keep 14 clean sheets in La Liga.

2. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)

Another Real Madrid player who performed well in the 2023/24 season was Carvajal. At 32 years old, he maintained a high level of performance and remained one of the most reliable right-backs in the league. Alongside experienced teammates such as Nacho and Luka Modric, he provided balance and leadership to the squad.

Statistically, Carvajal made strong attacking contributions. He recorded an 85% pass accuracy rate, attempted 4.3 long passes per game, and created around 1.1 key passes per match. Defensively, he averaged 1.6 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, and 1.2 blocked shots per 90 minutes, with a 55% success rate in duels. His steady form gave Real Madrid stability on the right flank throughout the season.

3. Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao)

Dani Vivian was one of the most important players for Athletic Bilbao. The center-back played a key role in the team’s defensive structure and contributed to their Copa del Rey triumph, as well as their qualification for European competition. In La Liga, Bilbao had the second-best defensive record, conceding only 37 goals, fewer than Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Vivian averaged 1.2 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, and 2.8 clearances per game, with a 60% duel success rate. He rarely made major errors and showed composure in key moments. In possession, he maintained an 84% pass accuracy rate and completed 2.3 long passes per game, helping the team move the ball forward effectively.

4. Miguel Gutiérrez (Girona)

Girona were one of the biggest surprises of the 2023/24 season. At one stage, they led the league table before eventually finishing third. Miguel Gutiérrez was a key part of their defensive and attacking structure. Playing at left-back, he appeared in 35 La Liga matches, scoring two goals and providing seven assists.

His attacking numbers were notable. He created dangerous chances with accurate crosses and forward passes, while also contributing shots from distance. Gutiérrez averaged 3.2 shots per 90 minutes, one of the highest figures among defenders, and supported the attack with progressive runs and forward passes. His performances were important to Girona’s strong season.

5. Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia)

The final name on the list is young defender Cristhian Mosquera. At just 19 years old, he had a breakthrough season and became one of the most promising center-backs in La Liga. In the 2023/24 campaign, he played 36 of 38 league matches and started 33 of them.

Over the season, Mosquera accumulated more than 3,075 minutes, ranking among the U21 players with the most playing time in Europe’s top five leagues. He showed good anticipation, averaging around four to five ball recoveries per game. Despite playing in a demanding defensive role, he received only two yellow cards throughout the season, highlighting his discipline and composure.

Top 5 best defenders in La Liga 2023/24 list: 

1. Antonio Rüdiger - Real Madrid CF - 2,700+ minutes

2. Dani Carvajal - Real Madrid CF - 2,600+ minutes

3. Dani Vivian - Athletic Bilbao - 3,000+ minutes

4. Miguel Gutiérrez - Girona FC - 2,900+ minutes

5. Cristhian Mosquera - Valencia CF - 3,075+ minutes

In the article above, NowGoal Pro has compiled a list of the five best defenders in La Liga 2023/24. To follow more of the latest football results, readers can visit our website.