William Saliba sets an unprecedented achievement at the age of 24.

If one were to select a player symbolizing consistency, quality, and defensive impact in European football lately, William Saliba would surely stand out as the leading choice.

At just 24 years old, William Saliba has already reached a rare career milestone, starting from when he was 20. In every season Saliba has played, he has been honored in the league’s Team of the Year.

His impressive list of honors stretches from the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2022 with Marseille to the PFA Team of the Year in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with Arsenal. This not only highlights his remarkable rise but also confirms that Saliba is playing at a level far above the rest.

After joining Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019, Saliba faced challenging times, often sent out on loan to gain experience. The turning point came in the 2021/22 season, when he shined for Marseille, helping them finish second in Ligue 1 and earning the Young Player of the Year award. This accomplishment also secured him a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year for 2022, marking a major step in his career.

Back at Arsenal, Saliba quickly became an irreplaceable piece under manager Mikel Arteta. For three consecutive seasons (2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25), the French center-back was named to the PFA Team of the Year—a feat never before achieved by a defender at his age.

Saliba impresses not only with his solid defending but also with his composure, exceptional reading of the game, and ball distribution. He has become a pillar for Arsenal in their Premier League title chase and played a key role in helping the team reach the Champions League semifinals in 2024/25.

Thanks to his consistent form and all-around skillset, many experts rate Saliba as the best young center-back in the world right now. Not only Arsenal, but also the French national team have placed their trust in this 2001-born player for upcoming major tournaments.

At 24, William Saliba’s journey is only just beginning. If he maintains this level, the French defender could very well reach the heights of legends like Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk, or Thiago Silva.