A good defence is the key to winning titles in football. And over the years, we have seen some larger-than-life figures stand tall in the backline. In this article, we take a look at the top ten best defenders of all time.
The role of defenders has changed drastically from a few decades ago. The sweeper role is non-existent, with the evolution of tactics in football requiring modern defenders to be good at much more than brute force and regaining possession.
Table of Contents
Let’s discover the list of the Top 10 best defenders of all time:
10. Gaetano Scirea
Scirea, who played as a libero, was known for his outstanding defensive skills and is regarded as one of the greatest defenders in history. He achieved immense success throughout his career, earning every prestigious club trophy recognized by UEFA and FIFA. Scirea spent an impressive 14 years with Juventus from 1974 to 1988, during which he won an impressive seven Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, one European Cup, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, and one Intercontinental Cup.
9. Alessandro Nesta
Nesta was the best defender in the world in 2000, not only being strong and athletic but also very technically skilled. He was named the Serie A Defender of the Year for four years straight between 2000 and 2003. The AC Milan legend won three Serie A titles, two Champions League titles, one FIFA Club World Cup and three Coppa Italias.
8. Philipp Lahm
Lahm was a one-club player, spending his career with Bayern Munich as their captain. He is one of the brightest footballing minds to play the game in the 21st century, and captained Bayern to a treble in 2013, alongside a World Cup win with Germany in 2014.
7. Sergio Ramos
Ramos is among the players to have won every trophy competing at the top level with club and country. The Real Madrid icon is among their highest goalscorers of all time as well and is without a doubt the best centre-back to have risen in the 21st century.
6. Giacinto Facchetti
Facchetti was a part of the Grande Inter team that ruled Italy in the 60s. He is among the best goalscoring defenders of all time, captaining Italy to the 1968 Euro win. He won four Serie A titles, two European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and one Coppa Italia during his club career.
5. Daniel Passarella
Passarella scored 182 goals in 552 appearances and captained Argentina to a World Cup triumph in 1978, which remains his greatest accomplishment. He is also the only player to feature for the national team in both their World Cup wins.
4. Bobby Moore
Moore was the captain of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966. He has a bronze statue outside Wembley and is widely regarded as the best English centre-back of all time, as well as the greatest West Ham United player of all time.
3. Franco Baresi
Italy has a habit of producing legendary defenders, with Baresi the latest one to join the list. He captained AC Milan for 15 years and was a one-club man during his career. Baresi was voted Milan’s Player of the Century in 1999. He also helped the Azzurri win the 1982 World Cup while captaining them to the finals 12 years later.
2. Franz Beckenbauer
Beckenbauer was the most prolific defender in the 70s, winning the coveted Ballon d’Or award twice during his career. He led West Germany to their 1972 European Championship win and won the World Cup with Germany two years later. Beckenbauer also lifted three consecutive European Cups with Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner finishes second in the list of the best defenders of all time behind arguably the greatest we have ever seen.
1. Paolo Maldini
In a career that lasted 25 years, Maldini only featured for AC Milan and could play anywhere in defence. After starting out as a full-back, he transitioned into a centre-back with just as much quality. The Italian legend is now the gold standard to compare defenders to, standing atop the list of the best defenders of all time. He won seven Serie A titles, five European Cups/Champions League titles, one Coppa Italia, four UEFA Super Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup during his illustrious career.
FAQs
Who is the best defender of all time?
Paolo Maldini
