20 Best Defenders in Football History [Ranked]

Defenders are the unsung heroes of football and are key to any team's success. We've ranked the 20 best defenders in football history. The ranking considers the calibre of teams, silverware won, impact on success, and longevity.

Fundamentally, football is based around the art of goalscoring. Players are lauded for their ability to find the back of the net, while those who can put the ball on a sixpence for their goal-gobbling centre-forwards to feed off are forever hitting the headlines. But what about the defenders of new and old? Over the years, there's been an array of defenders who played both centrally and on the right and left-hand side, who will forever stand above the rest – but they are often forgotten about as they are not the scorers of a match-winning goal.



Quietly going about their business, similarly to goalkeepers, defenders are not praised enough. But that doesn't diminish their importance to any successful football team. Keeping things strong and precise at the back is the bare necessity of winning ample silverware, despite what you are led to believe.

In light of that, we've identified the 20 best defenders to have ever graced the beautiful game with the ranking factors – which you can find below – taken into consideration. From those who dominated the 1960s to those who are still playing today, many top performers are unfortunate not to make the cut. Calibre of teams they played for.

Silverware won for club and country. Importance to club success. Impact on the 'art of defending'.

Longevity. 1 Franz Beckenbauer Affectionately nicknamed Der Kaiser, the influence Franz Beckenbauer had on modern defending cannot be downplayed. The mastermind behind the ‘libero’ position, commonly known as the sweeper role, the German icon, who sadly passed in early 2024 , combined his defensive IQ with his athleticism to become one of football’s most well-rounded defenders.

Forever remembered as one of the greatest players to ever grace the beautiful game , Munich-born Beckenbauer enjoyed an array of honours – both collective and individual – during his playing days. The German also won the World Cup as a player and manager. He is also the only defender to have won the Ballon d’Or twice.

Beckenbauer’s memory will live on. 2 Paolo Maldini Having spent the entirety of his career at boyhood club AC Milan, the now 56-year-old boasted the perfect concoction of grit, elegance and pure defensive acumen and, as a 126-cap Italy international, success was finely woven into his career. For AC Milan, Paolo Maldini collected three Champions Leagues and a whopping seven Serie A titles during his years as a defensive stalwart.

One of the greatest players to never win the European Championship , defending against all manner of forwards was made to look simple by the wavy-haired Italian. Maldini's longevity is to be commended. As was his versatility, given he could perform at centre-back but was equally capable of playing on the left.

3 Franco Baresi A defender who also took on the sweeper role was Franco Baresi – a one-club legend at AC Milan . One of the very best from Italy, a nation known for its production of world-class centre-backs, and one of the best in the world, the 81-cap international came a whisker away from winning the Ballon d’Or in 1989, eventually settling as the runner-up. Baresi emerged through the ranks of the Rossoneri in the 1970s and became their first choice in the heart of their backline for 20 years before retiring in 1997.

Between 1978-79 and 1995-96, he helped his side rack up six Serie A titles and proved to be pivotal in their silverware haul, largely thanks to his astute defensive work. One club football players are rare in modern football, but they are loved by fans of those clubs. 4 Bobby Moore England’s World Cup-winning captain, Bobby Moore, is a legend among the nation’s football fans.

And despite being one of the best players to never win a league title , thanks to his unwavering love for West Ham United, there is no doubt that he deserves to be placed fourth on this list. GIVEMESPORT ranks the top 10 World Cup-winning captains of all time, including Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas and Fabio Cannavaro. In 1996, during England’s only-ever triumph on the international stage, Moore was instrumental.

Throughout the tournament, his application both on and off the pitch was second to none and transcended into club football. For the aforementioned east Londoners, he won the FA Cup once and the English Super Cup on one occasion, too. 5 Gaetano Scirea Juventus hero Gaetano Scirea won't be as familiar to younger football fans, but his records and statistics speak for themselves.

A World Cup winner with Italy in 1982 and a 550-appearance maker for the Bianconeri, not only was he a fantastic player, but he contributed to the development of the sweeper role – as the majority of Italians did. Having sadly passed away at the age of 36, his career was tragically cut short – but he’s still remembered as one of the best defenders to lace his boots. In contrast to the ruthless tactics often employed by other defenders of his era, Scirea was known for his calm aura and capacity to read the game and was one step ahead of others at all times.

6 Alessandro Nesta For every Maldini, there’s an Alessandro Nesta. Often overshadowed by the brilliance of his compatriot and partner in crime, the centre-back was a superb tackler and struck fear into football’s greatest-ever forwards. Just look back at his pinpoint challenge on prime Lionel Messi when he was aged 36.

Likened to a Rolls-Royce, the Italian became a household name during his nine-year stint at Lazio, but the memory of him in the red and white of AC Milan is ingrained into the brains of many football fans. His defensive abilities aside, he was also elegant on the ball, capable of spraying passes to teammates while also keeping them short and precise when needed. An all-rounder, some would say.

7 Cafu When you think of iconic full-backs, Cafu – Brazil’s highest-capped player of all time with 143 appearances to his name – certainly springs to mind. Hailed as Roma royalty, he played 218 times for the side from the Italian capital. A move to AC Milan beckoned in 2003 and, well, he continued to set a benchmark for those who dared to follow in his footsteps.

Ronaldo, Pele, Ronaldinho, Neymar and Kaka all feature as the greatest Brazilian players ever are ranked. In truth, only a select few have managed to match the exploits of the two-time World Cup winner (1994 and 2002). With full-backs becoming increasingly important in the modern era of football, there’s no doubt that the Sao Paulo graduate would be thriving, able to use his workman-like approach to shut out the greatest of wingers.

8 Sergio Ramos Equally threatening in both boxes thanks to his imposing frame and devastating leap, Sergio Ramos is the perfect modern defender. Best known for his stint at Real Madrid, the Spaniard scored a ridiculous number of goals (101) from the heart of the defence, though he also plied his trade at right-back during the early stages of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu. While his goal return is enviable from a striker’s point of view, his defensive shrewdness should not be downplayed.

A tough tackler of the highest standard, the fact that he is still playing at the age of 39 is a testament to his athleticism, and he will retire as one of the greatest to ever play, all with the solitary World Cup, four Champions League medals and countless La Liga trophies on his CV. 9 Carlos Alberto Fans typically associate the footballing nation Brazil with flair-dependent attackers – the likes of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo immediately spring to mind when you think of the Samba nation. The defenders, however, are sometimes overlooked - including Carlos Alberto.

Yes, he did have nimble feet himself and could often be seen roaming forward to contribute to attacking play, but was also brilliant from a defensive standpoint. Also a scorer of one of football’s greatest-ever goals – Brazil’s fourth in the 1970 World Cup final – Alberto is thoroughly deserving of a place on this list. Decades on from his playing days, the Rio de Janeiro-born man is still remembered fondly by fans across the globe.

A true legend of the game. 10 Fabio Cannavaro Italy's most recent defensive genius is one-time Ballon d'Or recipient Fabio Cannavaro. Albeit of a smaller stature, the 176cm-tall ace used his size to his advantage when in duels.

He spent the best part of his career in Italy for the likes of Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan and Juventus before turning his hand to earning his corn at Real Madrid . With just 118 appearances under his belt in the Spanish capital, the defender still managed to win two La Liga titles in consecutive years. A composed controller of the ball, Cannavaro also had pace to burn – and that, combined with his excellent IQ, was a disaster for those running at him.

11 Roberto Carlos With a blistering left foot and an engine which allowed him to cover every blade of grass down the flank, Roberto Carlos is widely considered to be the best left-back of all time. Spending most of his pomp plying his trade for Real Madrid, the Brazilian was just as important to Los Blancos’ attacking play as he was from a defensive standpoint. Revered as one of the best free-kick takers in the history of the game , Carlos’ thunderous strikes from dead-ball situations – particularly against France – will stand the test of time.

Not only did he perform at club level, but the defender was also crucial for Brazil, appearing 127 times and being integral to their World Cup victory in 2002. The best left-backs in football history have been ranked in order - Ashley Cole, Marcelo and Paolo Maldini all feature. 12 Philipp Lahm Deemed as the perfect professional during his career, Philipp Lahm is a certified legend among Germany and Bayern Munich circles, while he is also remembered fondly by VfB Stuttgart fans.

Racking up 113 international caps for Germany, he is considered to be one of the greatest players to represent Die Nationalmannschaft – and rightfully so. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: In 772 games for both club and country, Philipp Lahm never received a single red card. What separated him from the rest was his versatility.

Not only was the German ace capable of doing a job on the right-hand side of defence, but his transition into a defensive midfield, by order of Pep Guardiola, was made to look effortless. A dependable figure for every team he featured in, the eight-time German champion was cut from a different cloth. 13 Carles Puyol Potentially Barcelona’s finest-ever captain, the thought of coming up against prime Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique was enough to frighten any forward.

The veteran Puyol was a mainstay in Blaugrana’s back line for an eye-catching 593 games and made no qualms about marshalling their defence in that period, making him one of Barca's best-ever players . Also a fantastic servant at international level, the 100-cap Spaniard picked up a World Cup in 2010. There weren't many aspects of defending that he could not master, and having him alongside Ramos was a match made in heaven for La Roja, even if they did have to put their club rivalry behind them.

14 Ashley Cole His acrimonious transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea aside, all English top-flight aficionados can appreciate Ashley Cole ’s sheer talent. Widely regarded as the best left-back of the Premier League era , the Englishman was the complete package, able to expertly balance his defensive responsibilities with marauding forward to make an impact in the final third. A crucial part of both Arsenal and Chelsea during some of their most illustrious years, his raw pace, artistic tackling and stamina made him a nuisance to play against.

Marry that up with his impressive longevity, and you have the perfect full-back. Cole also racked up 107 caps for England during his playing days. 15 Ronald Koeman The proof is in the name when it comes to defenders.

The defensive side of their game is what they are largely judged on, until Ronald Koeman enters the conversation. The Dutch icon is the highest-scoring defender in football history , having racked up an incredible 253 career strikes. Not only can the current Netherlands manager boast a goalscoring return that many elite strikers would be proud of, but he was more than capable of holding his own when forced towards his own goal.

Technically gifted and physically brilliant, the Barcelona and Ajax icon will forever be remembered as one of the best players his nation has ever produced. Including the likes of Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Arjen Robben, the best Dutch players of all time have been ranked. 16 John Terry One of the greatest Premier League-winning captains , John Terry, is widely viewed as the best defender to have graced the English top-flight .

The Chelsea hero lifted the prestigious trophy as an ever-present in the team ten years after winning his first title, showcasing his longevity at the top of the sport. The no-nonsense stalwart is sometimes not given the credit he deserves when it comes to his passing ability and composure on the ball. His willingness to get his body between the ball and the goal was incredible to witness, as Terry was one of the final defenders of his kind to grace the English game.

The five-time Premier League champion and Hall of Fame inductee played a huge part in the Blues' transformation to become one of the most dominant teams in the country. 17 Ruud Krol Right alongside Koeman as one of the best Dutch defenders of all time is Ruud Krol. Capable of playing either at the heart of the backline or on the left-hand side of the defensive unit, the Ajax legend retired with an extensive honours list.

Among his incredible trophy cabinet are three European medals, which he won in three successive campaigns with the Amsterdam-based side in the early 1970s. Krol was named in the World Cup All-Star Team in both 1974 and 1978, years in which the Netherlands finished as runners-up in the competition. His individual ability was proved in 1979 as the ex-Napoli ace finished third in the Ballon d'Or.

18 Matthias Sammer Another man who perfected the art of the sweeper role, Matthias Sammer, was imperious at his best. The German is one of the few defensive players to have transcended his role and reached the pinnacle of world football by earning the Ballon d'Or. Not only did he achieve domestic success in his homeland, winning the Bundesliga with both VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund , but Sammer tasted continental glory as he played a huge role in Dortmund's 1997 Champions League triumph.

In one of the most impressive CVs he could ask for, the German icon also won the European Championship with his country. Omar Hitzfield - his former coach - remembers Sammer as : "A role model for other players. He thought like a coach, he was obsessed with football and was a constant critic.

He always wanted the best for the team and the club." 19 Javier Zanetti Javier Zanetti chalked up 858 appearances for Inter Milan before calling time on his wonderful career – but by the time he did, at the age of 40, he had enshrined his name in the club’s mythology as one of their best players of all time. Only weighing in with 21 goals, his best body of work came from his defensive acumen.

This list contains the ten oldest players to score in the Champions League since 1992, featuring Luka Modric, Olivier Giroud and Sergio Ramos. Monikered 'El Tractor' for his stamina and penchant for running up and down the wings like it was going out of fashion, the defender was also considered a legend for Argentina when he retired. Having totted up 143 appearances for La Albiceleste, the lack of international success he tasted doesn’t impact his overall importance.

20 Lilian Thuram Lilian Thuram's legacy in the game will live on for many years, with his two sons playing for top Italian sides. Marcus and Kephren both have lofty expectations to meet if the Inter Milan and Juventus stars are to reach the acclaimed status of their wonderful father. Some of the most iconic players to ever play the game have been right-backs.

With over 140 international appearances under his belt for France, the former central defender won the World Cup in 1998 and the Euros in 2000. Not only was the dominant and rapid centre-back and right-back impressive on the world stage for his country, but he also won major accolades wherever he went - be it Barcelona, Juventus, or even Parma. 20 Best Defenders in Football History [Ranked] Rank Player Country Clubs 1.

Franz Beckenbauer Germany Bayern Munich, Hamburg 2. Paolo Maldini Italy AC Milan 3. Franco Baresi Italy AC Milan 4.

Bobby Moore England West Ham United, Fulham 5. Gaetano Scirea Italy Juventus, Atalanta 6. Alessandro Nesta Italy AC Milan, Lazio, Montreal, Chennaiyin 7.

Cafu Brazil Roma, AC Milan, Sao Paulo, Real Zaragoza, Palmeiras 8. Sergio Ramos Spain Real Madrid, PSG, Sevilla 9. Carlos Alberto Brazil Fluminese, Santos, Botafogo, Flamengo, NY Cosmos, California Surf 10.

Fabio Cannavaro Italy Parma, Juventus, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Napoli, Al-Ahli 11. Roberto Carlos Brazil Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, Corinthians, Inter Milan, Anzhi, Palmeiras, Odisha 12. Philipp Lahm Germany Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart 13.

Carles Puyol Spain Barcelona 14. Ashley Cole England Chelsea, Arsenal, LA Galaxy, Roma, Crystal Palace, Derby 15. Ronald Koeman Netherlands Groningen, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Feyenoord 16.

John Terry England Chelsea 17. Ruud Krol Netherlands Ajax, Vancouver Whitecaps, Napoli, Cannes 18. Matthias Sammer Germany Dynamo Dresden, Stuttgart, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund 19.

Javier Zanetti Argentina Inter Milan 20. Lilian Thuram France Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Barcelona Statistics are courtesy of Transfermarkt . Correct as of 13-04-2025.

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