The legendary Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “Defence wins titles, attack wins games.” The importance of both scoring in the other goal and preventing goals from going into your own net cannot be overstated.
Defenders used to be primarily responsible for making tackles and blocks and merely halting attacks, but this has changed significantly in the modern game. While center-backs must be at ease with the ball and initiate attacks themselves, full-backs are supposed to be creative outlets who score and set up goals. In light of this, we shall examine the best defenders of the twenty-first century, spanning several periods of changing football theory.
Ranking Elements: Results
Capability Reliability
A contribution in the twenty-first century
John Terry Famous Clubs Played for Chelsea
John Terry was a remarkable warrior who would stop at nothing to win. The Chelsea icon would always risk his life to stop opponents and would stop at nothing to keep the ball out of his net.
Terry was a stalwart in the Chelsea team for many years, earning five Premier League titles and a Champions League during his incredible career. He was also very comfortable with the ball. Because of his threat from set pieces, he is also the all-time leading Premier League defender with 41 goals.
Terry is without a doubt one of the greatest centre backs the game has ever seen; he was a true leader who motivated everyone around him.
Career Statistics for John Terry
Looks
761
Objectives
68
Trophies
15.
9Cafu
Notable Clubs Played For: Sau Paulo, Roma, AC Milan
Cafu, who is regarded by many as the best full-back of all time, isn’t higher on our list because he played the majority of his best football in the 1990s.
Cafu was a fast-paced, energetic full-back who was ahead of his time. He was a formidable attacker and capable defender, making him challenging to play against. The Brazilian, who played like a modern-day full-back by giving width on the overlap and going to the byline, was always eager to join attacks and support the forward line.
In the latter years of his career, Cafu played for AC Milan after first playing for Roma in Italy, where he won multiple awards, including two league titles and a Champions League. In addition, he helped establish himself as one of the best of all time by winning two World Cups with Brazil.
Career Statistics for Cafu
Looks
448
Objectives
18
Trophies
21
8 Notable Clubs with Which Carlos Puyol Played: Barcelona
A legend of Barcelona and Spain, Puyol played a significant role in what are probably the greatest club and international teams in history.
The defender was a superb backline organiser, and his ability to anticipate plays helped him stop opponents. He was able to judge the game well and would stop opponents from posing a danger by being aggressive and physical. Pep Guardiola’s ‘Tiki-Taka’ style required Puyol to be comfortable on the ball, and he was an excellent all-around player.
Prior to missing Spain’s victorious Euro 2012 campaign due to injury, Puyol was a vital member of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and had both club and international success. Few defenders have achieved as much success as the Spaniard, who has won three Champions League crowns and numerous La Liga titles with Barcelona.
Career Statistics for Carles Puyol
Looks
682
Objectives
25
Trophies
23
7Ashley Cole
Notable Clubs Played For: Arsenal, Chelsea
Ashley Cole, the best left-back in England history, was an outstanding defender.
Cole had an extremely successful career because he was strong, quick, and eager to succeed. Cole, who made his debut at Arsenal and played for the renowned ‘Invincibles’ squad in 2003–04, controversially left to join Chelsea in 2006. He won a Premier League title, four FA Cups, a Champions League, and a Europa League while at Stamford Bridge, proving that the move was the right one.
Cole is always the first name that comes to mind when thinking of the greatest left-back in Premier League history. He is a very skilled player who has achieved great success.
Career Statistics for Ashley Cole
Looks
701
Objectives
21
Trophies
16
Six Famous Clubs Paolo Maldini Played For: AC Milan
If Maldini’s best football had occurred in the twenty-first century, he would have been higher on this ranking, just like Cafu. A match for any forward, the dynamic Italian was one of the best defenders in the game.
Maldini had a highly successful career and won seven trophies in the 2000s, despite the fact that his best years were in the 1990s. Maldini was a competent left-back and centre-back who played for AC Milan exclusively. The maestro rarely needed to make a tackle since he had a high game IQ and was always in the correct position to thwart attacks.
Due to his exceptional skill and contribution to the game, Maldini is frequently regarded as the standard for evaluating the finest defenders.
Statistics for Paolo Maldini’s Career
Looks
901
Objectives
33
Trophies
26
5Roberto Carlos
Notable Clubs Played For: Real Madrid
Roberto Carlos was a unique left-back who was well known for his amazing free-kicks and ball-striking skills.
Carlos, who began as an attacker before switching to left-back, enjoyed getting forward and participating in attacks. He was gifted with speed, strength, and technique, which made him ideal for adding to the opposition’s defences. Carlos spent the majority of his playing career with Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles and the World Cup, among other accolades.
Because of his enormously huge legs, Carlos was able to sprint and shoot with tremendous force. Carlos was able to pin attackers back and lessen his defensive load since they were constantly on edge of his danger.
Career Statistics for Roberto Carlos
Looks
773
Objectives
101
Trophies
20
4Fabio Cannavaro
Notable Clubs Played For: Parma, Juventus, Real Madrid
Fabio Cannavaro, the 2006 Ballon d’Or winner, was unique. It takes work to win the honour as a defender, and the Italian’s skill is evident. Throughout his career, Cannavaro was a darling among fans due to his speed, strength, and intelligence.
He would stop attacks before they ever posed a threat since he was always able to predict where the danger was and wouldn’t give forwards a chance to consider. He was successful throughout Europe, winning two Spanish league crowns and a UEFA Cup in Spain and Italy. Cannavaro was at the pinnacle of the game and won the World Cup in 2006.
Career Data for Fabio Cannavaro
Looks
694
Objectives
18
Trophies
10.
Three notable clubs that Alessandro Nesta played for were AC Milan and Lazio.
Alessandro Nesta was a superb defender with exceptional speed who made football seem effortless. Nesta was a physical match for every opponent owing to his exceptional strength and quickness, but he was so skilled at anticipating games that he frequently avoided traditional duels with center-forwards.
Nesta is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest centre backs of all time. He was a World Cup champion, two-time Champions League winner, and three-time Serie A champion. His extensive trophy cabinet would rival that of any defender from any era.
Career Data for Alesandro Nesta
Looks
625
Objectives
13.
Trophies
20
2Virgil van Dijk
Notable Clubs Played For: Celtic, Southampton, Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk is capable of everything.
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the greatest of all time. He is tall, swift, strong, and incredibly exquisite. In the past, he would have undoubtedly played a more offensive role because he was so at ease with the ball and was always making accurate passes across the pitch. Van Dijk is the ideal defender and a threat from set pieces as well, using his muscle and will to get on the end of crosses.
The Premier League has hardly seen a player as good as the former Celtic player, who won everything he could while at Liverpool. Van Dijk is always in the proper position to stop an attack, and he also has excellent recovery speed and tackling ability to stop someone when he has to. Very few attackers have had a successful day against him.
Career Statistics for Virgil van Dijk
Looks
576
Objectives
56
Trophies
11.
1 Sergio Ramos Played for Sevilla, Real Madrid, and PSG, among other notable clubs.
Sergio Ramos, one of the greatest defenders in football history, was a nightmare for attackers.
No one had an easy time facing Ramos because of his constant mind games, muscular style, and progressive possession. The Spaniard was adept at everything, even taking penalties, and was a fantastic captain. He was also very strong in the air and swift on the ground.
Throughout his career, Ramos has won numerous trophies, including two European Championships, four Champions League crowns, and a World Cup.
Career Statistics for Sergio Ramos
Looks
821
Objectives
120
Trophies
29
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