Best Centre-Backs in the Liga Portugal (Oct 2026)
261 players tracked across 33 clubs. Updated October 2026.
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Gonçalo Inácio
Sporting CP • 25 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €41.1M
87.0
Ousmane Diomande
Sporting CP • 22 years old
€36.3M
€42.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €42.4M
86.7
Tomás Araújo
SL Benfica • 24 years old
€25.9M
€30.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €28.0M
79.4
Zeno Debast
Sporting CP • 22 years old
€24.2M
€28.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €28.4M
78.0
António Silva
SL Benfica • 22 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €25.4M
76.6
Eduardo Quaresma
Sporting CP • 24 years old
€14.7M
€17.0M
+15.6%
72.2
Nehuén Pérez
FC Porto • 26 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
67.6
Ibrahima Ba
FC Famalicão • 21 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
67.0
Jan Bednarek
FC Porto • 30 years old
€14.2M
€11.0M
-22.6%
66.1
Gustaf Lagerbielke
SC Braga • 26 years old
€8.6M
€10.0M
+15.6%
61.7
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Sign up freeGonçalo Inácio
Sporting CP · 25 years old
87.0
ASI
Current Value
€40.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€37.0M - €45.2M
Ousmane Diomande
Sporting CP · 22 years old
86.7
ASI
Current Value
€42.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€38.2M - €46.7M
Tomás Araújo
SL Benfica · 24 years old
79.4
ASI
Current Value
€30.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€25.2M - €30.9M
Zeno Debast
Sporting CP · 22 years old
78.0
ASI
Current Value
€28.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€25.6M - €31.2M
António Silva
SL Benfica · 22 years old
76.6
ASI
Current Value
€25.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
€22.8M - €27.9M
Eduardo Quaresma
Sporting CP · 24 years old
72.2
ASI
Current Value
€17.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Nehuén Pérez
FC Porto · 26 years old
67.6
ASI
Current Value
€12.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Ibrahima Ba
FC Famalicão · 21 years old
67.0
ASI
Current Value
€12.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Jan Bednarek
FC Porto · 30 years old
66.1
ASI
Current Value
€11.0M
% Change
-22.6%
1yr Forecast Range
Gustaf Lagerbielke
SC Braga · 26 years old
61.7
ASI
Current Value
€10.0M
% Change
+15.6%
1yr Forecast Range
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Sign up freeMarket Overview: Liga Portugal Centre-Backs (updated October 2026)
Our database tracks 261 Liga Portugal Centre-Backs as of October 2026, representing 33 clubs with a combined market value of €439.6M. The average market value for Liga Portugal Centre-Backs is €1.7M, with the average age at 30 years old.
The most valuable centre-back in the Liga Portugal is Gonçalo Inácio, worth €40.0M and playing for Sporting CP at 25 years old. The top 5 Centre-Backs average €33.0M in market value, including Ousmane Diomande and Tomás Araújo.
Age distribution shows the youngest tracked centre-back is Bastien Meupiyou (20 years, FC Alverca, €7.0M), while the oldest is Jeferson (40 years, Rio Ave FC, €1.0M). Research shows Centre-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Our 1-year forecast model projects 59 Centre-Backs (23%) will increase in market value over the next 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Liga Portugal market for Centre-Backs remains actively developing with emerging talent as of October 2026.
Explore Market Size by Position in Liga Portugal
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Liga Portugal Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 33 clubs with €439.6M combined value.
Age Distribution: Liga Portugal Centre-Backs
The Liga Portugal CB market shows 5 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 30+ bracket (132 players, 51% of market). The 24-26 age group holds the most value at €170.6M, averaging €3.8M per player.
Top Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (5 players)
21-23 Years (39 players)
24-26 Years (45 players)
27-29 Years (40 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 27 Centre-Backs (10% of players) control €315.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with premium (€30-50m) tier representing 1% of the Liga Portugal CB pool.
Premium (€30-50M)
High (€15-30M)
Mid (€5-15M)
Club Distribution: Liga Portugal Centre-Backs
Among 33 Liga Portugal clubs, Sporting CP leads with 12 Centre-Backs worth €134.3M (averaging €11.2M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 42% of tracked Centre-Backs.
Sporting CP (12 Centre-Backs)
SL Benfica (8 Centre-Backs)
FC Porto (7 Centre-Backs)
SC Braga (8 Centre-Backs)
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande at 22 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 42.00×. That means Ousmane Diomande is valued 42.00× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Sporting CP's Gonçalo Inácio, who is 25 years old, with a 40.00× PPVE. Third is Tomás Araújo of SL Benfica, who is 24 years old with a 30.00× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 42.00× means the player is worth 4100% more than typical players their age-making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ousmane Diomande Sporting CP | 22 | 21-23 | €42.0M | €1.0M | 42.00x |
| #2 | Gonçalo Inácio Sporting CP | 25 | 24-26 | €40.0M | €1.0M | 40.00x |
| #3 | Tomás Araújo SL Benfica | 24 | 24-26 | €30.0M | €1.0M | 30.00x |
| #4 | Zeno Debast Sporting CP | 22 | 21-23 | €28.0M | €1.0M | 28.00x |
| #5 | António Silva SL Benfica | 22 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €1.0M | 25.00x |
| #6 | Eduardo Quaresma Sporting CP | 24 | 24-26 | €17.0M | €1.0M | 17.00x |
| #7 | Ibrahima Ba FC Famalicão | 21 | 21-23 | €12.0M | €1.0M | 12.00x |
| #8 | Bright Arrey-Mbi SC Braga | 23 | 21-23 | €9.0M | €1.0M | 9.00x |
| #9 | Ibrahima Bamba Vitória Guimarães SC | 24 | 24-26 | €6.5M | €1.0M | 6.50x |
| #10 | Felix Bacher GD Estoril Praia | 25 | 24-26 | €6.0M | €1.0M | 6.00x |
| #11 | Kévin Boma GD Estoril Praia | 23 | 21-23 | €6.0M | €1.0M | 6.00x |
| #12 | André Amaro Vitória Guimarães SC | 24 | 24-26 | €5.5M | €1.0M | 5.50x |
| #13 | Léo Realpe FC Famalicão | 25 | 24-26 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
| #14 | Andreas Ntoi Rio Ave FC | 23 | 21-23 | €5.0M | €1.0M | 5.00x |
| #15 | Bastien Meupiyou FC Alverca | 20 | U21 | €7.0M | €1.5M | 4.67x |
| #16 | Chico Lamba FC Arouca | 23 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €1.0M | 4.00x |
| #17 | Marvin Elimbi Gil Vicente FC | 23 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €1.0M | 4.00x |
| #18 | Dominik Prpić FC Porto | 22 | 21-23 | €4.0M | €1.0M | 4.00x |
| #19 | MT CD Santa Clara | 25 | 24-26 | €3.5M | €1.0M | 3.50x |
| #20 | Brayan Medina CD Tondela | 24 | 24-26 | €3.0M | €1.0M | 3.00x |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
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Upgrade to FanRisk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
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Upgrade to FanRoster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
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Upgrade to FanAge-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
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Upgrade to FanBuy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
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Upgrade to FanPrice vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
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How We Rank Liga Portugal Centre-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for centre-backs, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for CB
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Liga Portugal centre-backs, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for Liga Portugal centre-backs, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Defenders with 2,500+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Defenders peak at 28 with 5.0%/year decline rate. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Liga Portugal competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
CB Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 28 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 29, -10% at 30, steeper from 31 (positioning offsets pace loss)
Optimal Minutes: 2,500 per season (regular starter with rotation management)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Compounding and banded around a peak of 28: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±10% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for centre-backs
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Liga Portugal Centre-Backs, updated October 2026
Who are the most valuable Centre-Backs in the Liga Portugal right now?
The most valuable centre-back in the Liga Portugal today is Gonçalo Inácio, who is worth €40.0M and plays for Sporting CP. The second most valuable is Ousmane Diomande (€42.0M, Sporting CP), followed by Tomás Araújo (€30.0M, SL Benfica). Our database tracks 261 Liga Portugal Centre-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated in October 2026.
How are Liga Portugal Centre-Backs ranked?
Liga Portugal Centre-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Centre-Backs. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for Liga Portugal competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Centre-Backs peak?
Defenders typically peak at age 28. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 29, -10% at 30, and -25% or more from 31. Research shows defenders balance physical attributes with tactical intelligence, allowing them to maintain high performance through their late 20s. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top centre-back from the Liga Portugal?
Transfer fees for Liga Portugal Centre-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked centre-back Gonçalo Inácio (market value: €40.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €32.0M to €56.0M depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual Liga Portugal transactions.
What is the value forecast for Liga Portugal Centre-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Liga Portugal Centre-Backs based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-defenders have ±10% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the Liga Portugal centre-back data come from?
Our Liga Portugal centre-back data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official Liga Portugal sources and updated monthly (last update October 2026) to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.
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