Christoph Tobias Metzelder (born 5 November 1980 in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a German footballer who plays for Real Madrid, as a central defender.

His career has been blighted by regular injuries. His younger brother Malte is also a footballer (and a centre back), and both played for Borussia Dortmund.

In the summer of 2000, Metzelder signed for Borussia Dortmund, and he was an instant success. At the end of his first season, he won his first cap for Germany, playing the second half of a 5-2 friendly win in Hungary, on August 15, 2001.

The second season at Dortmund brought him the 2002 national title, and 14 matches with Germany, all the way to the 2002 FIFA World Cup final with Germany. However, he missed the entire 2003-04 due to an Achilles tendon injury,and only took part in 16 league contests in the following campaign.

After over two years out of the national squad, Metzelder was called by new boss Jürgen Klinsmann for a friendly with China, in October 2005.He also netted his first two league goals, in 1-1 draws against Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV, and would be Germany's undisputed starter at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, partnering with Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker.

On 18 April 2007, after failing to renew his contract at Borussia,Metzelder transferred to Real Madrid at the end of the season on a free transfer.

In February 2008, after managing to be injury-free in the first months of his Spanish adventure, Metzelder had surgery on the sole of his foot, resulting in him missing nearly two months of action.On 11 May, after having already missed the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Roma, he returned and played the full 90 minutes against Real Zaragoza (2-2 away draw).

Despite his lack of playing time, Metzelder featured in all of Germany's matches (all the minutes) at Euro 2008, again partnering Mertesacker. In 2008-09's Spanish League, he was the main benefitiary of a 10-match suspension handed to Real's Pepe; after a stellar performance in a 4-2 win at Sevilla FC, he also started in the 2-6 home defeat at the hands of FC Barcelona.