5 greatest centre-back pairings of the 21st century

#3 Carles Puyol - Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

FC Barcelona v Valencia CF - Liga BBVA

When Barcelona had arguably the finest football team we had seen in the 21st century, it was their midfield that consisted of three absolute maestros in Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets that garnered a lot of praise in addition to their frontline.

But the importance of the centre-back pairing of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique cannot be understated. Unlike the other combinations that are being celebrated here in this article, Puyol's and Pique's partnership had an admirable mentor-trainee vibe about it and it was something we all loved to see.

One incident, in particular, exemplifies this relationship. Back in 2013, during Barcelona's semi-final game against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, right before a corner kick was taken, Pique saw a lighter near the box that was thrown from the stands. He picked it up to show it to the refs.

However, Puyol came to Pique and threw the lighter away and urged him to focus on the matter at hand. Puyol's sureheadedness is something Barcelona have benefitted from a lot. He had great technique and was tenacious to a fault. Pique was just as intelligent and possessed the ability to read the game to great effect.

They won trophies on the regular for both club and country. Puyol and Pique have won two Champions League and four La Liga titles together. They also won the FIFA World Cup together in 2010. The duo conceded just two goals out of seven matches in the World Cup and kept cleansheets in all four of their knockout stage matches.

#2 Nemanja Vidic - Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Inter Milan - UEFA Champions League

The most dominant centre-back pairing in the history of the Premier League, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, were yet another duo that made a triumphant blend out of their dissimilarities.

The two did a stellar job at centre-back and their ability to recover the ball and recycle possession went a long way towards Manchester United's dominance in the latter years of the first decade of the 21st century.

Nemanja Vidic was an absolute beast and would put his body on the line repeatedly to make sure the Manchester United goal wasn't under threat. Rio Ferdinand was a technically proficient defender and his interceptions and passing from the back was crucial to Alex Ferguson's side's exploits.

The duo won one UEFA Champions League title and five Premier League titles together. They also won three English League Cups. Ferdinand and Vidic are considered two of the best centre-backs of the Premier League era and together they were an absolute force.

#1 Sergio Ramos - Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid CF v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

A pair whose endurance and effectiveness are at the same level, Ramos and Varane form the most successful and dominant centre-back partnership that we've seen in recent times. Ramos and Varane have been playing together at the back for Real Madrid since the latter was roped in from Lens in 2011.

The long-lasting partnership is another example of two players complementing each other's playing styles. Sergio Ramos is a leader of men with unbridled aggression and that is perfectly complemented by the Frenchman's speed and ability to keep his head in tense situations.

Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have won three La Liga titles together. But their most incredible feat was winning four UEFA Champions League titles, out of which three were consecutive triumphs. No other centre-back pairing has accomplished anything like that.

There is a good chance that this could be their last season together at Real Madrid, with both players tipped to leave in the summer. If that's the case, then it would bring to an end a centre-back partnership that has been immensely successful for a decade.