25 Most Powerful Defenders in World Football

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Who are the most powerful defenders in world football, and how do we constitute powerful?

Brede Hangeland's towering frame and aerial prowess make him powerful, while Mats Hummels' surging runs also make him a good example of a feared central defender.

Here are the 25 most powerful defenders currently plying their trade.

Wild Card: Kurt Zouma

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Kurt Zouma is nowhere near developed as a man yet, but at 18 years of age he's still stronger than most.

He's built like a house and will only get bigger, leaving many to fear what they might be coming up against in as little as two years.

Martin Skrtel

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Known by Liverpool fans as "The Terminator", Martin Skrtel is forceful in the challenge and takes absolutely no prisoners.

He's a real handful in the air and puts his heart and soul into every game.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos

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Speaking of Terminators, here's another one.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos may only be 20, but he's developed rapidly into a no-nonsense defender who is able to carry his team.

The Greek is on his way to becoming an elite defender with an added hint of aggression.

Ryan Shawcross

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Ryan Shawcross is England's most physical defender and is heavily suited to Tony Pulis' system at Stoke City.

He's uncompromising in the challenge and strong in the air, but perhaps not quite as dominant as...

Robert Huth

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...this guy.

Robert Huth is an aggressive demon that no striker wants to go up against, using his incredible size, frame and power to bully those players at either end of the pitch.

His partnership with Ryan Shawcross is one of the most formidable in the English Premier League.

Vincent Kompany

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Vincent Kompany is the rock at the center of Manchester City's defence, and even when he's carrying injuries, he's still the standout performer in the back line.

He was bounced from midfield to defence early in his career, but on arrival at Etihad Stadium he quickly found a place at the back.

Branislav Ivanovic

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Branislav Ivanovic displays his power in two separate ways—bursting forward as a right-back and leaping high as a centre-back.

His movement in the opposing penalty box is sublime and he can shake off markers with ease.

Diego Lugano

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Diego Lugano is a traditional footballing hard man.

His aggression and forcefulness in the tackle deters players from taking him on, while his aerial prowess has seen him help Uruguay to a successful two years on the international scene.

Younes Kaboul

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Younes Kaboul is a huge miss for Tottenham.

Not only is he strong in the air and firm in the tackle, but also provides some much-needed prowess on the ball.

His ability to play in defensive midfield makes him a real threat moving forward.

Mamadou Sakho

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Mamadou Sakho, like Kurt Zouma, is an emerging physical presence.

The Paris Saint-Germain product is already threatening a deadly partnership with Thiago Silva as he forms the brawn of the duo. 

Leonardo Bonucci

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Leonardo Bonucci plays in the central role of a back three under Antonio Conte and has so far excelled for the Old Lady.

Defying many expectations, he's been the standout performer among esteemed company like Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.

Carles Puyol

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Carles Puyol's iconic header in the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the lasting memory for many when his wonderful career comes to a close.

His powerful frame has taken a beating over the years due to his sheer determination and never-say-die attitude, making him one of the most titanic defenders ever to play the game.

Jonas Olsson

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Martin Olsson has really come to the fore this season after yet another solid set of showings for West Bromwich Albion.

He's an underrated presence in the English Premier League, but it's easy to see why Steve Clarke's side have been so comfortable at the back.

Jan Vertonghen

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Jan Vertonghen has caught a case of 'Branislav Ivanovic'—he's been so good at left-back he might struggle to regain his place as a centre-back.

The Belgian uses his big bulk well while shuttling forward from full-back, but also brings the ball out convincingly from the centre. He is an all-round calm presence.

Neven Subotic

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Neven Subotic is an uncompromising centre-back capable of matching any player in the world physically.

His size, height and commitment in the challenge have seen him become an undisputed regular for Borussia Dortmund over the past few years.

Brede Hangeland

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For two seasons or so, Brede Hangeland was the hardest defender to stop in the English Premier League.

His goalscoring exploits for Fulham are famous among Cottagers fans, leaving them even more worried about his precarious contract situation.

Gerard Pique

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No list of powerful defenders would be complete without Gerard Pique.

He is a complete defender, combining wonderful ball skills with fantastic surging runs. He even featured as an emergency striker under Pep Guardiola and scored an amazing goal against Internazionale.

Pepe

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Pepe has proven his physical prowess on more than one occasion, but at times seems to go a little over the top when it comes to aggression.

He's able to transform his inner rage into a dominant performance on a weekly basis.

Adil Rami

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Adil Rami is an excellent presence at set pieces for Valencia, and looks like a better option for defensive colossus than Philippe Mexes for France.

He's one of the most powerful defenders in La Liga and can comfortably deal with most opponents, showing excellent resilience against man-mountain Andy Carroll during the summer.

Mats Hummels

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Not only is Mats Hummels strong in the air and measured in the tackle, but his powerful surges forward out of defence often have teams scattering.

He's one of the top-tier defenders in Europe right now with many teams wishing for his signature. It's easy to see why.

Maicon

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When Maicon gets up to full speed, just get out of the way.

He's like a steam train on the right-hand side roaming forward from the back, and he's starting to recapture some of his old Inter/Brazil form for current club Manchester City.

Micah Richards

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Micah Richards is able to play right-back or centre-back and dominates in both positions.

No opposing full-back or winger can stop him once he gets going down the right-hand touchline, while he's also more than a match for most opposing strikers when playing in the middle.

Nemanja Vidic

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The sooner Nemanja Vidic returns to fitness the better, as far as Manchester United are concerned.

Even with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones back, no Red Devils centre-back can match the physical dominance the Serbian provides. He's a rock.

Giorgio Chiellini

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Giorgio Chiellini is one of the most imposing presences on the football pitch, so it's no wonder he was switched from left-back to centre-back by current club Juventus.

He's got a knack of scoring critical goals, while he's also bullied some of world football's top strikers into submission with ease.

Christopher Samba

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It became clear from his days at Blackburn Rovers that Christopher Samba was on a different physical level to everyone else.

He was used as an emergency centre-forward when things were desperate and regularly caused utter mayhem in the box, while in his natural centre-back position he is unbeatable in the air.