Here are the top 10 greatest defenders of all time
Being a defender is not easy as it seems. You have to go through a lot of leg stretching and have to be fearless without being scared of injuries.
The very best defenders do just about anything to stop opposition strikers from having a better 90 minutes than them. The very best, however, make it look so very easy.
Top 10 greatest defenders
Paolo Maldini
AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini is arguably the greatest defender in Football history. He is the man of all the class, style and composure in the world at the back. there is no doubt that his defending technique was on another level.
Franz Beckenbauer
Nicknamed ‘Der Kaiser’, Franz Beckenbauer is largely credited for inventing the role of the modern sweeper. Further glory arrived for his nation, with the heroic defender winning the Euros and World Cup in 1972 and 1974 respectively.
Franco Baresi
Italian legend Franco Baresi is another epitome of what it means to be a one-club man, having spent his 20-year-long career with AC Milan.
Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore lost his life at such a young age, but fortunately he is remembered fondly by both West Ham and England supporters. His iconic statue stands tall at Wembley Stadium.
Alessandro Nesta
Elegance and distribution the two words are two words that come to mind when speaking of former Italy international Alessandro Nesta. The centre-back’s pace also helped him build an astonishing career that lasted over two decades.
Cafu
Brazil were fortunate enough to have Cafu in that role for an incredible 16 years. Unsurprisingly then, it is the former AC Milan man who sits top of that aforementioned Brazilian appearance list with 142.
Roberto Carlos
Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos enjoyed an illustrious career that spanned well over two decades. His wicked left foot is one of the greatest weapons that world football has ever seen, the like of which may not be seen ever again.
Giacinto Facchetti
Giacinto Facchetti was another Italian defender whose life was taken from him far too soon. The left-back has the tendency to cause mayhem for opposition defenders when he did indeed get forward.
Gaetano Scirea
Another remarkable defender, whose career and life was taken far too early at the age of 36. Despite his shortened professional career, he is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of all time.
Carles Puyol
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol will be remembered fondly for many reasons. A true leader, the centre-back was also one of the very few one-club players of his generation, spending his entire career in the red and blue stripes of Barcelona.
