There are so many names we can mention when it comes to listing the best defenders of all time in Football.
So many of them did so much, from just playing at the back to making sure they provided a strong line for the goalkeeper.
The defensive department is always a huge part of a team. Many coaches prefer to go with a back three or four and, most times, five.
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The Best Defenders Of All Time
The names are endless when it comes to naming the best defenders of all time who did so much in their time.
The newer generation is doing so well with the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Virgil van Dijk being one of the top-rated.
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Some new faces are also making their mark, both playing in the wings position as well as the main centre back.
10. Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta, an Italian central defender, had a distinguished career with clubs such as Lazio and AC Milan.
At Lazio, he made 193 league appearances, scoring once. During his tenure at AC Milan, he played in 224 league matches, netting seven goals.
Internationally, Nesta earned 78 caps for Italy between 1996 and 2006. He is ranked among the best defenders of all time.
Nesta is another Italy national who many strikers don’t want to go against because he always comes out the best.
9. Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol spent his entire professional career at FC Barcelona, making 392 league appearances over 15 seasons.
As captain, he led the team to six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League victories, all with Barcelona making him among the best defenders of all time.
He did so well in his time that today, many defenders in Spain see him as their role model and want to play for Barcelona.
On the international stage, Puyol was capped 100 times for Spain, contributing to their UEFA Euro 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cup triumphs.
8. John Terry
John Terry, a central defender, spent the majority of his career at Chelsea FC, amassing 492 league appearances and scoring 41 goals.
He captained the team to five Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League victory in 2012, making him one of the best defenders of all time.
For England, Terry earned 78 caps between 2003 and 2012. He didn’t make much happen for his country like he did with Chelsea.
John Terry and Frank Lampard were two exceptional talents who had a knack for scoring goals despite their position.
7. Cafu
Marcos Evangelista de Morais, known as Cafu, was a Brazilian right-back renowned for his attacking prowess.
He played for São Paulo FC, AS Roma, and AC Milan, making significant contributions to each club’s success, which placed him in the best defenders of all time list.
Internationally, Cafu earned 142 caps for Brazil, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 2002, which was incredible.
He cemented his name both in Brazil and globally for his achievements, which saw many teams in Europe fight over his signature.
6. Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos, a Brazilian left-back, was famous for his powerful shots and speed, which many were afraid of him.
He spent 11 seasons at Real Madrid, making 370 league appearances and scoring 47 goals most of them were free kicks.
With Brazil, he earned 125 caps and was part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad who were unstoppable.
Robert Carlos’s trademark free kick remains legendary, and that alone earned him a place as one of the best defenders of all time.
5. Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro, an Italian central defender, played for clubs including Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Real Madrid.
He made 136 appearances for Italy, captaining the team to victory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and winning the Ballon d’Or the same year.
He is one defender who saw himself beating strikers to claim an award that rarely gets given to players in his position.
Cannavaro had a remarkable career, winning everything both as a team player and on a personal level.
4. Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore, an English central defender, spent the majority of his career at West Ham United, making 544 league appearances.
During his time, there wasn’t enough technology in Football compared to today, where things are very different.
He captained England to their only FIFA World Cup victory in 1966, earning 108 caps between 1962 and 1973.
Bobby Moore did earn himself respect for his achievements as one of the best defenders of all time in Football.
3. Philipp Lahm
Philipp Lahm, a versatile German defender, spent his entire professional career at Bayern Munich, making 332 league appearances.
His stature as a small person wasn’t seen as a weakness over the big strikers he played against during his time.
Lahm did not just create a name for himself but also changed the mindset of small players being seen as not good enough to become a defender.
He captained Germany to a FIFA World Cup victory in 2014 and earned 113 international caps, which earned him a legendary status.
2. Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer, known as “Der Kaiser,” was a German defender and midfielder who was versatile.
He had success that earned him a place among the best defenders of all time who made so much impact in Football.
He played for Bayern Munich, making 427 league appearances and scoring 60 goals in both the midfield and defence.
Internationally, he earned 103 caps for West Germany, winning the FIFA World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a manager in 1990.
1. Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini spent his entire career at AC Milan, making 647 league appearances and scoring 29 goals.
He won seven Serie A titles and five UEFA Champions League trophies during his active days as a player.
He did exceptional things in his time teaming up with some legendary names who are also retired as of today.
For Italy, Maldini earned 126 caps between 1988 and 2002 making him ranked as one the best defenders of all time.
