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Best Central Defenders In Football History: Here are the Top 10 Best Center-Backs in history.
In a game that revolves around goals, it is often the attackers who monopolize the attention, eclipsing the efforts of their defensive counterparts. Victories are often awarded to a team for their offensive efforts, ignoring the importance of players doing the dirty work defensively.
Center-backs are often underestimated in football, especially in the eyes of supporters. But for coaches, they are as essential as their offensive options. They are also often given the captain’s armband because they have the maturity that their teammates lack.
The 10 Best Central Defenders in Football History:
Here is our list of the best center-backs of all time. A list that includes players from different eras, all legends for their clubs or their countries.
10. Carles Puyol:
The Spaniard is one of the greatest players to ever wear the FC Barcelona shirt. Within the team led by Pep Guardiola, Puyol quickly rose to the challenge. He has established himself as an essential player, both for his club and for his country. The defender is also part of our ranking of the best Spanish players of all time.
With a constant aerial presence and an impressive tackling and recovery ability, Puyol is considered one of the smartest and most astute players of his generation. Rightly named captain of FC Barcelona, he has played 589 club and national matches.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 682 | 24 |
| Club | 100 | 3 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| UEFA Team of the Year | 2002-05-06-08-09-10 |
| UEFA Club Best Defender | 2006 |
| FIFA/FIFPro World XI | 2007-08-10 |
| UEFA European Team of the Tournament | 2008 |
| FIFA World Cup Dream Team | 2010 |
| BBVA Fair Play award | 2011–12 |
| UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year | 2015 |
| World XI | 21st Century |
| UEFA Euro All-time XI | 2016 |
| Golden Foot | 2016, |
| One Club Man Award | 2018 |
9. Ronald Koeman:
Ronald Koeman enjoyed an illustrious playing career in the 80s and 90s. He is one of the key elements of an extremely strong Dutch team. He can also be found in our ranking of the best Dutch players in history. He is also a legend of Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona.
If you don’t equate scoring exploits with a defender, Koeman has proven that the role of a center-back is not just to help defense, but also to bring change in the final third. He scored 239 goals in 685 games during his club career, making him one of the most prolific center-backs in history.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 685 | 239 |
| Club | 78 | 14 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| Dutch Footballer of the Year | 1987, 1988 |
| UEFA European Team of the Tournament | 1988 |
| UEFA Champions League top scorer | 1993–94 |
| UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll | No. 26 |
8. Lothar Matthäus:
Lothar Matthäus is a legend of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. In 1990, he won the World Cup with Germany and received the Golden Ball the same year. Only the Champions League escaped him twice in the final (1987, 1999).
He is also part of a select group of players who have participated in five World Cups, from 1982 to 1998. In his autobiography, Diego Maradona defined Matthäus as the best rival he has ever had, especially for his athleticism. and his will.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 782 | 204 |
| Club | 150 | 23 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or Dream Team | 2020 |
| Bayern Munich All-time XI | |
| Inter Milan Hall of Fame | 2018 |
| IFFHS Legends | |
| Golden Foot legends award | 2012 |
| FIFA 100 | |
| FIFA XI | 1996, 1997, 2001 |
| Onze de bronze | 1991 |
| Onze d’Or | 2016 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | 2016, as football legend |
| FIFA World Cup Silver Ball | 2018 |
| FIFA World Player of the Year | |
| IFFHS World’s Best Player | |
| Ballon d’Or | 1990 |
7. Fabio Cannavaro:
Fabio Cannavaro was not only an exceptional defender, but also an equally formidable leader. He has always been a source of inspiration for the young people who admired him. His quality on the ball and his willingness to be one step ahead of the opponent made up for his small size.
The Italian defender has gone through several of the best European clubs in history , including Inter, Juventus and Real Madrid. He greatly contributed to Italy’s victory at the 2006 World Cup. Cannavaro will also be rewarded with the title of world and European player of the season, but above all by receiving the Golden Ball the same year.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 695 | 19 |
| Club | 136 | 2 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament | 2000 |
| FIFA World Player of the Year | 2006 |
| Ballon d’Or | 2006 |
| FIFA World Cup Silver Ball | 2006 |
| FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament | 2006 |
| World Soccer Player of the Year | 2006 |
| Serie A Footballer of the Year | 2006 |
| Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year | 2006 |
| Serie A Defender of the Year | 2005 |
| UEFA Team of the Year | 2006 |
| ESM Team of the Year | 2004–05 |
| FIFPro World XI | 2006, 2007 |
| ESPN World Team of the Decade | 2009 |
| Italian Football Hall of Fame | 2014 |
| Juventus Greatest XI of All Time | 2017 |
6. Daniel Passarella:
Argentina legend Daniel Passarella, like Ronald Koeman, was a defender who loved to score. In 556 games throughout his illustrious career, the former Argentina international has scored 165 goals. Always dangerous in the air and unwavering on the pitch, Passarella possessed all the attributes of a top center-back.
After winning numerous titles with River Plate, Passarella chose to try her luck on the European stage. He will play 6 seasons in Italy for Fiorentina and Inter Milan, before returning to Argentina. Passarella is also part of our ranking of the best Argentinian players in history.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 451 | 153 |
| Club | 70 | 22 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| Footballer of the Year of Argentina | 1976 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | 1978 |
| FIFA 100 | 2004 |
| Golden Foot Legends Award | 2015 |
| AFA Team of All Time | 2015 |
| World Soccer | 100 Greatest Footballers |
| Fiorentina All-time XI |
5. Gaetano Scirea:
Gaetano Scirea was part of the Juventus squad in the 1980s. Even today, purists consider him one of the greatest center-backs Italy has ever produced. He leads the rankings with legendary figures like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.
The Juventus legend was a very elegant defender, who rarely made mistakes. A true professional in every sense of the word, Scirea has risen from Juventus academy to legendary status at his club. He also did a phenomenal job for the national team, winning the World Cup in 1982.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 435 | 25 |
| Club | 78 | 2 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| UEFA European Team of the Tournament | 1980 |
| Italian Football Hall of Fame | 2011 |
| Juventus Greatest XI of All Time | 2017 |
4. Franco Baresi:
At the top of the list of the greatest center-backs in history, the legendary Franco Baresi. Leading AC Milan for several years alongside Paolo Maldini, Baresi quickly established himself as a world-class center-back.
Despite the loss of both his parents at the age of 16, Baresi’s unwavering love for football drove him to pursue his dreams and become a professional footballer for the Rossoneri. Until the end of his career, he was the man of one club and he never dreamed of moving away from the team that was so close to his heart.
With a World Cup won in 1982, Baresi is one of the best Italian players of all time . To pay tribute to him for his phenomenal career at the San Siro, AC Milan have decided to retire the number 6 shirt he made famous by wearing it for nearly two decades.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 719 | 33 |
| Club | 81 | 1 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or | 1989 |
| Coppa Italia top scorer | 1989–90 |
| Guerin d’Oro | 1989–90 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | 1990 |
| A.C. Milan Player of the Century | 1999 |
| AIC Serie A Player of the Century | 2000 |
| FIFA 100 | 2004 |
| Golden Foot | 2012 |
| Italian Football Hall of Fame | 2013 |
| Ballon d’Or Dream Team | 2020 |
3. Bobby Moore:
The former West Ham United defender appears to have a special connection to English football fans. Bobby Moore is, in fact, the only person in history to have been England captain in a 1966 World Cup triumph.
Before he got his hands on the trophy, Moore had already started to get his hands on it. recognized on the national circuit, having been named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association for his fantastic achievements with West Ham in 1964. He went on to become one of the best English players in history .
Despite being diagnosed with cancer two years before winning the World Cup, Moore never let his game take a hit. He took care of a lot of personal issues off the pitch, but once he got past them there were no obstacles in the way of the greatest defender in English history.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 795 | 28 |
| Club | 108 | 2 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| FWA Footballer of the Year | 1964 |
| West Ham Player of the Year | 1961, 1963, 1968, 1970 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | 1966 |
| BBC Sports Personality of the Year | 1966 |
| UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament | 1968 |
| World Soccer World XI | 1968, 1969 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Time Team | 1994 |
| World Team of the 20th Century | 1998 |
| PFA Player of the Century | 2007 |
| PFA Team of the Century | 1907 to 2007 |
| Team of the Century | 1907–1976 |
| World Soccer Greatest XI of All Time | 2013 |
| 100 Greatest Britons | 2002 |
2. Paolo Maldini:
In a nation renowned for its defensive skills, very few defenders have managed to match the undisputed talent of Paolo Maldini. The Italian has been one of the pillars of AC Milan and has achieved great things in his professional career.
Maldini has represented Milan 902 times, an all-time high. He won 24 titles or cups with his club, including 5 Champions Leagues and 7 Championships. Which makes it an exceptionally rich career in terms of trophies.
The former AC Milan defender was extremely versatile and his timing on his tackles was impeccable. With a good sense of position and a good vision for the game, Maldini could play in his usual position as a center-back, but he was also one of the best full-backs of all time . For many, he is the greatest defender in football history.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 902 | 33 |
| Club | 126 | 7 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| Bravo Award | 1989 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | 1990, 1994 |
| World Soccer Player of the Year | 1994 |
| UNICEF European Footballer of the Season | 1993–94 |
| ESM Team of the Year | 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–00, 2002–03 |
| FIFA World Player of the Year | 1995 |
| FIFA World Cup Dream Team | 2002 |
| FIFA XI | 2002 |
| UEFA Team of the Year | 2003, 2005 |
| UEFA President’s Award | 2003 |
| Serie A Defender of the Year | 2004 |
| UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll | |
| FIFA FIFPro World XI | 2005 |
| UEFA Club Defender of the Year | 2007 |
| FIFA Order of Merit | 2008 |
| Marca Leyenda | 2009 |
| ESPN World Team of the Decade | 2009 |
| Italian Football Hall of Fame | 2012 |
| World Soccer Greatest XI of all time | 2013 |
| One Club Man Award | 2016 |
| A.C. Milan Hall of Fame | |
| Ballon d’Or Dream Team | 2020 |
1. Franz Beckenbauer:
If it wasn’t for Maldini, no other defender in history deserves the title of greatest center-back of all time more than Franz Beckenbauer. The Bayern Munich legend was a leader, a role model, and above all a complete footballer.
Initially a midfielder due to his composure and his ability to dictate the game in depth, Beckenbauer has gradually converted into Libero. This gave birth to a new kind of defense in the world of football.
Twice Golden Ball in 1972 and 1976, Beckenbauer played 103 appearances for West Germany. He is one of the best German players in history and has taken part in three World Cups. He was also instrumental in his team’s triumph at the 1974 World Cup and achieved the same feat as a coach sixteen years later.
If his reputation has been tarnished in recent times due to allegations of corruption, the fact remains that “Der Kaiser” is a player whose abilities are not in question. He has already made history as the greatest center-back of all time.
Statistics:
| Games | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| International | 754 | 98 |
| Club | 103 | 14 |
Honors:
| Awards | Years |
|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or | 1972, 1976 |
| Footballer of the Year (Germany) | 1966, 1968, 1974, 1976 |
| FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award | 1966 |
| FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot | 1966 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Star Team | 1966, 1970, 1974 |
| FIFA XI | 1968 |
| FIFA World Cup Silver Ball | 1974 |
| NASL Most Valuable Player Award | 1977 |
| FIFA Order of Merit | 1984 |
| FIFA World Cup All-Time Team | 1994 |
| UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament | 1972, 1976 |
| World Team of the 20th Century | 1998 |
| FIFA World Cup Dream Team | 2002 |
| FIFA 100 | 2004 |
| Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award | 2007 |
| IFFHS Universal Genius of World Football | 2007 |
| Golden Foot | 2010 |
| Marca Leyenda | 2012 |
| FIFA Presidential Award | 2012 |
| UEFA President’s Award | 2012 |
| World Soccer Greatest XI of all time | 2013 |
| UEFA Euro All-time XI | 2016 |
| IFFHS Best European Player | 1956–1990 |
| IFFHS Legends | |
| Bayern Munich All-time XI | |
| Ballon d’Or Dream Team | 2020 |
| 11Leyendas Jornal AS | 2021 |
Honorable Mentions:
- Sergio Ramos: A true legend of Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos is the only player on this list to be still active. Leader and boss of Madrid’s defense, he is one of the best central defenders of our time. His record is impressive, including a World Cup and 2 Euros with Spain, as well as 4 Champions League and 5 La Liga titles with Real.
- Alessandro Nesta: Nesta is one of those great Italian defenders who have marked the history of football. He was a physical and powerful defender, but also very agile on the ball and very good on the restart. Passed by Lazio and AC Milan, he won Serie A 3 times and the Champion’s League twice with the Lombard club. Called 78 times for the national team, he was also world champion in 2006 with Italy.
- José Santamaría: Santamaría is often considered the best Uruguayan defender in history. After having shone in his native country with the Nacional, he joined Real Madrid under Di Stéfano. With the Casa Blanca, he won 6 championships but above all 4 times the Champions League, including 3 in a row between 1958 and 1960.
