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Is Militao the best central defender in the world? “Yes, do I have to add anything else?” Ancelotti did not hesitate at the beginning of March. As the question in the press room is recurring, he has not asked it at any time during the season. He hasn’t been a week either: “He is among the best in the world. He has it all: he’s fast, good with the ball, forceful, good with his head… One flaw is that sometimes he is not 100% focused. Is not perfect”. For Carletto, although it launches a small notice to keep you alert, there is no better center-back on the planet than Éder Militao. The Brazilian, with his bullish football, facilitates his coach’s value judgment and, incidentally, catapults his price. In the last update of Transfer marketSertãozinho has maintained its rising pace. From the 60 million euros that appeared on its label, to the current 70. In 2021, its value was 30. A 133% rise in two years…
Militao’s season is impeccable. While Alaba walks on the wire of doubts and Rüdiger has been adapting, the ‘3’ has been the constant among the unknowns. If he hatched last season, in this he is being the true leader of the white defense. Those temporary disconnections that, especially in his first season, although Ancelotti alluded to them a few days ago, they sometimes made the gesture twist, they are kept under lock and key. Another of the musts of the beginnings, the insecurity in the exit of the ball, has also suffered palliative doses: has successfully completed 89% of passes that he has tried and the sample is wide, since there are 1,714 successful ones this season. AND 124 of them are long shipmentsan art in which only Kroos (262) and Courtois (132) surpass him.
Although, logically, it is in defensive tasks where he is a titan. Militao leads Madrid in interceptions (47), recoveries (193), headed clearances (61) and aerial duels won (67). In addition, he is the defense (led by Vinicius and Camavinga) who comes out successful in the most total duels (178). All this seasoned with a neatness that, despite the intensity with which he performs, makes him accumulate only four yellow cards (eighth for the white team), despite having played 2,836 minutes in 35 games (fourth, after Vinicius, Valverde and Courtois). And the definitive spice to his season is his scoring contribution, raising his count up to sixthanks to his powerful header: a good sample is the 2-3 at Anfield.
In rocket since 2021
Far is that faltering Militao from his first two seasons. The Militao who was accompanied by the backpack of the 50 million euros disbursed for his signing. The most expensive defense in the history of Madrid. Those initial wobbles caused its market value to fall to the aforementioned 30 million of euros. It was January 2021 and his last break was also influenced by the general downturn due to the pandemic, but, from then on, Militao has been a rocket. That summer, Ramos and Varane said goodbye and in December it had already doubled its price to €60 million. that it has kept up to now. His partnership with Alaba was erected as an almost seamless wall that was part of the support of the last League-Champions double. And without the best version of the Austrian, Militao hasn’t suffered, there’s a new wall (the one he forms with Rüdiger) and the Brazilian has reached a new dimension… and a new ceiling with the €70 million he’s debuting.
If Ancelotti puts him at the top, Transfer market He hands him the third drawer of the podium. Of course, with Rúben Dias (Manchester City) and Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig) at just five million euros. The Portuguese and the Croatian share the gold with €75M, while Militao does the same with the bronze with Ronald Araújo (Barça), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern) and Marquinhos (PSG). That worldwide. In LaLiga, he only has six players, regardless of position, with a greater cachet. Four teammates: Vinicius (€120M), Valverde (€100M), Tchouameni (€90M) and Rodrygo (80). And two of the greatest enemy: Pedri (€100 M) and Gavi (€90 M). Be that as it may, Militao is a citizen of the football Olympus own right.
Now he is in the concentration with Brazil, in a yellow green where he already started with Tite in the World Cup. But he has a major challenge. In Qatar he opened a gap as a right back and should aspire to more. “The best central defender in the world” should also be so in the Selection. Marquinhos’ injury opens the first door for Ramón Menezes to start the stage by hitting the table. Morocco, in the friendly that takes place in Tangier this Saturday (11:00 p.m.), will be the first touchstone. Militao is a titan and leader in Madrid. Replicating gallons with Brazil is his next ochomil.
