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Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 campaign has once again cast light on the art of defending, especially after world-class performances from Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
The last decade saw the emergence and dominance of some of the best defenders in the world, with teams like Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona all fielding world-class players.
While there has certainly been an evolution as far as defending is concerned, the basics remain the same. As shown by Bonucci and Chiellini most recently, any good team is built on a rock-solid backline.
We rank the 5 best defenders of the last decade.
#5 Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci has cemented his position as one of the best centre-backs of his generation after a towering series of performances that resulted in a Euro 2020 triumph.
The 34-year old has been one of the best defenders in world football for some time now. His first spell with Juventus saw Bonucci make 319 appearances in all competitions. The trio of Andrea Barzagli, Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini helped Juventus become a defensive behemoth and laid the path for their incredible domestic dominance.
After a season with AC Milan, Bonucci returned to Juventus in 2018, and has not disappointed. The Italy international's ability on the ball has been applauded by many, and his partnership with Giorgio Chiellini for both club and country is considered to be one of the best in recent history.
#4 Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane has won nearly every possible trophy for club and country, and the centre-back's trophy cabinet is surely a sight to behold.
Varane joined Real Madrid from Lens in 2011, and has been at the club ever since. A backup defender during his initial seasons, the France international blossomed into one of the best in the world and soon began partnering Sergio Ramos on a consistent basis for Los Blancos.
The centre-back has made 359 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid and has won four Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles. Varane was an important part of the France squad which won the World Cup in 2018. The 28-year old has been linked heavily with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks.
#3 Philipp Lahm
Philipp Lahm retired from the sport in 2017, but there was a widespread opinion that the right-back still had a few more years of football left in him.
The 37-year-old was one of the best in the world during his playing days though. A technically gifted, highly intelligent and consistent performer, Lahm very rarely set a foot wrong. The German was one of the best right-backs in world football when Pep Guardiola decided to use him in midfield; Lahm excelled in that position as well.
The Germany international won eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, as well as a Champions League trophy. Lahm was captain when Germany won the FIFA World Cup in 2014 under the management of Joachim Low.
#2 Dani Alves
Arguably the greatest right-back of all time, Dani Alves transformed the position with his unorthodox style of play.
The Brazil international joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2008, and was an integral part of the great Barcelona side under Pep Guardiola. An attack-minded right-back, Alves impressed with his creativity, crossing and passing ability at Barcelona, where he won six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.
One of the most decorated footballers in the world, the 38-year old currently plays for Sao Paulo, where he has often been used as an attacking midfielder. Alves, who won the Copa America in 2007 and 2019 with Brazil, is a member of Brazil's Olympic squad.
#1 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos' time with Real Madrid may have come to a quiet end, but there is no denying the impact he had during his time at the club.
Ramos joined Real Madrid from Sevilla in 2005, and initially played as a right-back. However, he was soon transformed into a centre-back, and he became one of the best at the position to have played the game after some sensational seasons with Los Blancos.
The 35-year old made 670 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid, scoring an astounding 101 goals. Renowned for his aggressive style of defending and his leadership qualities, Ramos won five La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Real Madrid.
For Spain, the centre-back was part of the side which won two European Championships and the World Cup in 2010. He departed Real Madrid this summer and is now a Paris Saint-Germain player.
Also Read: Most man of the match awards won by league since 2009-10
Honorable mentions: Giorgio Chiellini, Virgil van Dijk, Diego Godin, Gerard Pique
