Three Brazilians are considered among the top 10 defenders in the world in aerial play, according to a study conducted by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES). The players in question are Joaquim Henrique from Santos, followed by Henrique Trevisan (Tokyo FC), and Willyan Rocha (CSKA Moscow).
The ranking is led by Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, followed by the South Korea international Min-Jae Kim from Bayern Munich in second place, while the podium is completed by the Portuguese Danilo Pereira from Paris Saint-Germain.
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The world’s best defenders in aerial play according to CIES
According to the CIES, the criteria for the ranking involve the number of aerial duels won in relation to playing time, the frequency of crosses received by the team, and the defender’s success rate in aerial play. Additionally, the complexity of the match played is taken into account.
Nine other Brazilians appear among the 100 players presented by CIES, in addition to Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gómez from Palmeiras, who is ranked 48th.
Top centre backs 🌐 for aerial play* 🎡
🥇 @VirgilvDijk 🇳🇱 (#LFC)
🥈 #MinJaeKim 🇰🇷 (#FCBayern)
🥉 @iamDaniloP 🇵🇹 (#PSG)
*As per @CIES_Football index powered by @Wyscout
Top 💯 & methodology 👉 https://t.co/xjoMn6WPnZ pic.twitter.com/CteI4b3nb6— CIES Football Obs (@CIES_Football) January 17, 2024
The Brazilians among the world’s top 100 best defenders in aerial play
8º Joaquim Santos
9º Henrique Trevisan – Tokyo FC (JAP)
10º Willyan Rocha – CSKA (RUS)
13º Lucas Veríssimo – Corinthians
20º Danilo Avelar – América Mineiro
33º Lucas Mendes – Al-Wakrah (CAT)
56º André Ramalho – PSV (HOL)
64º Ricardo Silva – América Mineiro
69º Aderllan Santos – Rio Ave (POR)
71º Messias Rodrigues – Santos
77º Iago Santos – El-Shabab (SAU)
92º Gleison Bremer – Juventus (ITA)
