The world’s biggest soccer clubs are now valued in the billions, as top players captivate fans worldwide.
Offenses have continued to improve in speed, spacing, and sophistication, so clubs pay high wages to defenders who can slow down the best attackers.
The highest-paid soccer defenders earn more than some strikers and midfielders.
Kalidou Koulibaly is the highest-paid defender in 2025. He makes $39.4 million annually playing for Al Hilal.
Koulibaly signed a 3-year deal in 2023 that will net him a total of $118.2 million to play in the Saudi Pro League. Koulibaly led Al Hilal to an unbeaten record and a championship in his first season.
Aymeric Laporte is second on the list, earning $27.8 million. The Al Nassr star central defender has earned $53 million throughout his career. He will earn an additional $73.5 million while playing with the Saudi side.
Laporte has won six trophies, all of which he has won during his time with Manchester City.
Third on the list is Real Madrid’s David Alaba. The 31-year-old earns $25.6 million a year to secure their defense. Alaba’s deal includes an $850 million release clause, the highest of any player on the list.
He’s also won the most individual awards, including being named to UEFA’s Team of the Year three times.
Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool makes $24 million for fourth. The Liverpool captain just signed a two-year deal that will keep him at the hub of the defense through 2027.
Three of the top 10 highest-paid defenders play for Real Madrid. Manchester City leads all clubs with four defenders among the highest-paid in the world.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Soccer Defenders
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid soccer defenders. The list was compiled with data from Capology.
- Updated: April 17, 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Kalidou Koulibaly | Al Hilal | $39.4 million |
| 2 | Aymeric Laporte | Al Nassr | $27.8 million |
| 3 | David Alaba | Real Madrid | $25.6 million |
| 4 | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | $24 million |
| 5 | João Cancelo | Al Hilal | $17.4 million |
| T-6 | Reece James | Chelsea | $17.2 million |
| T-6 | John Stones | Manchester City | $17.2 million |
| 8 | Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich | $17 million |
| T-9 | Éder Militão | Real Madrid | $16.6 million |
| T-9 | Antonio Rüdiger | Real Madrid | $16.6 million |
| 11 | Jules Koundé | Barcelona | $15.4 million |
| 12 | Marquinhos | PSG | $15.3 million |
| T-13 | Achraf Hakimi | PSG | $14.99 million |
| T-13 | Lucas Hernández | PSG | $14.99 million |
| 15 | Mohamed Simakan | Al Nassr | $13.9 million |
| T-16 | Josko Gvardiol | Manchester City | $13.7 million |
| T-16 | Wesley Fofana | Chelsea | $13.7 million |
| 18 | Min-Jae Kim | Bayern Munich | $13.6 million |
| 19 | Matthijs de Ligt | Manchester United | $13.4 million |
| T-20 | William Saliba | Arsenal | $13.1 million |
| T-20 | Harry Maguire | Manchester United | $13.1 million |
| T-22 | Rúben Dias | Manchester City | $12.4 million |
| T-22 | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | $12.4 million |
| T-22 | Manuel Akanji | Manchester City | $12.4 million |
| 25 | Marc Cucurella | Chelsea | $12 million |
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