Two players from the Belgian championship appear in the top 3 of the list of the best “all-terrain” central defenders under the age of 21 in the world, according to the ranking revealed by the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) in collaboration with the Wyscout company, specialized in the collection of professional football data.
The Ecuadorian Joel Ordóñez (Club Bruges) ranks second with a score of 79.9 points, just behind Pau Cubarsí, of FC Barcelona, who occupies first place with an impressive score of 90.2 according to the report of these institutions. Third place is occupied by the Serbian Jan Carlo Simic (79.2), who plays in Anderlecht.
The Senegalese Ousmane Diao (77.9) from Midtjylland (Denmark), and the Japanese Kota Takai (77.7) from Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), complete the podium.
Selected for national team
This particular distinction for Ordóñez rewards his constant contribution to the defense of his club, where he established himself as a starter in both the national championship and the Champions League. Additionally, he finished the year as a member of the Ecuadorian national team for the South American qualifiers.
