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The Ballon d'Or is the most prestigious individual award in football that is bestowed on the best footballer of the year. While it takes a team to win a match or a tournament, plaudits are generally given to the players involved in the goalscoring department. As such only one goalkeeper and three defenders have managed to win the Ballon d'Or since its inception.
The legendary Lee Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to win the award. Germany's Franz Beckenbauer is the only defender to win the award twice, first in 1972 and then in 1976. Matthias Sammer is another German defender who won the award in 1996. The last defender to win the Ballon d'Or was Italian centre-back Fabio Cannavaro, who won it in 2006.
Many defenders have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or shortlist
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or ceremony in recent years. Before them, many star attackers like Kaka, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo won the prestigious award. But during this time there were also many defenders who featured on the Ballon d'Or shortlist. So who were among the best defenders to have featured on the list in the 21st century? Let's have a closer look:
#5 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos might not be everyone's favorite footballer, but there's no denying the fact that the former Real Madrid captain is one of the best defenders of all-time.
Ramos originally started at right-back during his time with Sevilla but became a centre-back after moving to Real Madrid. The Spanish defender's physicality and technicality makes him a solid defender who also has an eye for goal. Ramos' pace and ball-playing ability have also been praised often. However, he does have a habit of losing his temper and has collected 18 red cards during his time in Madrid.
Nevertheless, Ramos' performances have seen him nominated for the Ballon d'Or six times so far. His best finish came in 2016 when he was placed sixth in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
Ramos left Real Madrid for PSG this summer after spending 16 seasons with Los Blancos, winning several major accolades including 4 Champions League and 5 La Liga titles. At the Santiago Bernabeu, Ramos will always be remembered as arguably the best defender ever to play for Real Madrid.
#4 Paolo Maldini
One of the best defenders ever to grace the game, Paolo Maldini was an absolute rock at the back for AC Milan during his playing career.
Maldini was a one-club man and spent his entire playing career at AC Milan. He made more than 900 appearances for the club since making his debut in 1984.
The Italian was adept at both full-back and centre-back positions. As a full-back, his athleticism and stamina stood out from others, while as a centre-back, his tenacity and maturity played a vital role in AC Milan's success.
Maldini's performances earned him various Ballon d'Or nominations throughout his career but unfortunately he was unable to win one. In the 21st century, Maldini was nominated for the Ballon d'Or four times, with his best placed finish coming in 2003 when he ranked third.
The Italy international won 25 titles during his time with the Rossoneri, including five Champions League titles and seven Serie A titles. He is currently the technical director of AC Milan.
#3 Virgil van Dijk
The only defender to feature on the Ballon d'Or podium in the last decade, Virgil van Dijk is arguably the best centre-back in the world right now.
Van Dijk arrived from Southampton in 2018 for a club record £75 million and immediately galvanized Liverpool's defense. The Dutchman helped Liverpool reach the Champions League final that year although they lost the trophy to Real Madrid.
The following season, however, van Dijk was easily the best defender during the season and went on to set several new records. He had a brilliant season with Liverpool, winning the UEFA Champions League and narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.
He picked up the PFA Players' Player of the Year award that season and was also nominated for the Ballon d'Or. However, he finished second behind Lionel Messi in the Ballon d'Or podium.
In the 2019-20 season, Van Dijk played each and every minute of the Premier League campaign as Liverpool won the Premier League title for the first time in 30 years.
His absence due to injury last season really affected Liverpool as they struggled in defense. However, he is now back in action for the Reds as they look to challenge for the title once again.
#2 Roberto Carlos
Most of us remember Roberto Carlos for his thunderous free-kicks and goals from distance. But there was much more to the Brazilian's game than the incredible goals he used to score.
Roberto Carlos epitomized a modern-day full-back. He had electrifying pace and unmatched tenacity and would bomb down the left-flank with every chance he got of making himself available in dangerous areas.
Carlos spent the majority of his career at Real Madrid, making 524 appearances and scoring 69 goals. He won four La Liga titles and three Champions League titles during his time at the club. He was also an integral part of the Brazil team that won the World Cup in 2002 and has also won two Copa Americas.
Carlos' performances earned him a nomination for Ballon d'Or four times in the 21st century. Notably, his best finish came in 2002, when he ranked second behind teammate Ronaldo in the race for the Ballon d'Or.
Carlos retired from football in 2015 after spending a season in the Indian Super League with Delhi Dynamos.
#1 Fabio Cannavaro
The only defender who has won the Ballon d'Or this century, Fabio Cannavaro, is considered by many as one of the best centre-backs of all time.
Cannavaro began his career at Napoli, but it was at Parma where he made his name at club level. He made 289 appearances for the club in all competitions before going on to play for the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid.
However, it was his performances with the Italian national team that arguably sealed his legacy as one of the best in the world. He captained the Azzurri to victory in the 2006 World Cup and won the silver ball in the process. A Ballon d'Or followed that year and he was also named the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year.
Cannavaro was nominated for the Ballon d'Or again in 2008. He retired from football in 2012 and is currently the manager of Chinese Super League side Guangzhou FC.
