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A look through the history of football tells the story of why the world has fallen in love with the “Beautiful Game”. Surprises, last-minute drama, great goalscorers (and terrible ones), captivating skills, life-threatening injuries, plucky underdogs, dynastic teams, football fans have seen it all
One of the most common features of football teams worldwide has always been the presence of a dominant centre-back.
Irrespective of the footballing culture, ideology, philosophy or desires of teams and coaches, every team; great and mediocre has/will always have the need for a good centre-back.
Looking closely at the history of league games, continental championships (club and national level) and the World Cup, it is almost impossible to highlight a team that has done well without the presence of at least one quality centre-back.
Over the years, the world has witnessed great men at the back who have superbly marshalled their teams' defence lines and have given their all (sometimes to the point of physical injury).
Here is a look at five of the greatest centre-backs in the history of football:
Also Read: Centre-Backs to watch out for at the World Cup
#5 Daniel Passarella (Argentina)
Major Clubs: River Plate (twice), Fiorentina, Internazionale
Undoubtedly the greatest South American centre-back of all time, Daniel Passarella was the gold standard for hard tackling defenders.
One of the most amazing things to note about El Gran Capitán as he was known by fans and admirers was his height. For a centre-back in the 70s, he was quite short (standing at 1.73 m or 5 feet, 8 inches).
However, what he lacked in height, he more than made up for in athleticism, ability, and sheer grit.
Renowned for his tough-tackling, no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners style, Passarella was a difficult man to beat. Fast over short distances, supremely good in the air and blessed with a keen understanding of the art of defending, he was a coach's dream.
Born and raised as a fan of Boca Juniors, it was a shock when he turned out to play for Boca's fierce rivals River Plate (where he has had a 40-year association). As a player and later captain and coach, he won six Primera Division titles with Los Millonarios (The Millionaires).
He is most famous for being the leader, captain, and heart of the Albiceleste team that won the World Cup on home soil in 1978.
He was also part of the team that won the Mundial in 1986, though in a diminished role as Diego Maradona had been made captain in his stead by then manager Carlos Bilardo.
He scored a phenomenal total of 182 goals in 556 official matches, a world record for a defender until it was broken by Barcelona and Holland great Ronald Koeman.
#4 Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
Major Clubs: Napoli, Parma, Internazionale, Juventus (twice), Real Madrid
There is no way that a list of the greatest centre-backs in the history of football can be made without having at least one Italian.
The birthplace of catenaccio has produced more world-class centre-backs than some nations have had presidents and "Il Muro di Berlino" ("The Berlin Wall") remains one of its greatest ever products.
Renowned for his concentration, spatial awareness, technical ability and never-say-die attitude, Fabio Cannavaro like Passarella was a "short" centre-back whose abilities dwarfed his height.
Highly regarded for his aerial ability, Cannavaro was no slouch at competing for balls in the air and more often than, won aerial duels against much taller opponents.
He was an incredibly strong defender who combined physical strength and athleticism with a finely tuned intelligence which enabled him to make intelligent decisions at the right time.
While his trophy collection isn't the biggest, his marshalling of the superb Azzurri defence which won the World Cup in 2006 will live long in the memory.
#3 Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Major Clubs: Sevilla, Real Madrid
A choice that is likely to garner controversy, the choice of the legendary Real Madrid captain as one of the pre-eminent centre-backs of all time is one that is richly deserved.
Put aside the playfulness and sometimes bone-headed challenges (he holds the La Liga, UEFA Champions League and La Furia Roja for yellow and red cards), the Sergio Ramos is truly one of the best defenders of all time and he has the record to prove it.
Also not the tallest of centre-backs (a theme in this article), the 31-year-old is a one-man battering ram capable of winning matches on his own; either by making a last ditch, game-saving tackle or haring up the other end to get on the end of a corner, cross or free-kick.
Incredibly athletic, fast over short distances and a leader of men and teams, he is an adept crosser and passer of the ball (he started as a right-back at Sevilla) and reads the game brilliantly.
His trophy collection is the polar opposite of Cannavaro's as the Camas-born defender has won an incredible 24 trophies in his career so far. He has played a key role in all of these trophy wins and looks set to add a couple more before he finally calls it quits.
#2 Franco Baresi (Italy)
Major Club Played For: AC Milan
If Cannavaro is one of the greatest Italian centre-backs of all time, there will be little arguments when Franco Baresi's name is put forward as the best defender in the long and storied history of Italian and world football.
A defender ahead of his time, he combined the traditional immaculate sense of tackling, grit, and strength with a nuanced style of possession, shielding of the ball and uncanny sense of positioning.
Baresi was like the perfect hybrid of Spain's 2010 World Cup winning centre-back pairing of Ramos and Gerard Pique.
He had Ramos' devilry, ability to win aerial balls and an understated mean streak which meant he was not to be trifled with. This he combined with a sense of positioning, immaculate shielding of the ball and passing abilities that Pique would be proud of.
His performance against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup final has become legendary as he displayed his full repertoire of skills to thwart Romario, Bebeto, and co. This was despite the fact that he had missed a huge chunk of the tournament due to an injury.
A serial winner with his one and only club, he played alongside other legendary defenders like Paolo Maldini, Alberto Corstacuta, Marcel Desailly, Mauro Tassotti and won 17 titles at club level though he was unlucky at the national level.
#1 Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
Major Clubs: Bayern Munich, SV Hamburg
There was no way that any other player was going to be atop this list apart from the man who was so good, he was nicknamed "Der Kaiser" (The Emperor).
Elegant, classy with a technical understanding of football years ahead of his time, Beckenbauer recreated the role of the "libero" and today's ball-playing centre-backs have him to thank for their understanding of the position (Pique, John Stones among others).
Defending in the early part of the 19th century had been more about grit and brute strength, technically gifted players were expected to play further forward.
This was in keeping with the safety-first mentality of that era which saw defending as being all about stopping the opponents from scoring and nothing else.
Beckenbauer's refusal to be pigeon-holed was a sight to see; his carrying of the ball out of defence towards the opposition's goal, calmness and classy distribution of the ball won him many admirers.
He was the captain, leader, and inspiration behind the great Bayern Munich team which won three consecutive European Cups (UEFA Champions League) between 1974-1976, he won 14 major trophies during his club career in Bavaria and Hamburg.
He was just as successful for Die Mannschaft in what is the team's most successful era till date winning the World Cup in 1974 (on home soil) and the 1972 European Championship hosted by Belgium.
Alongside Brazilian great Mario Zagallo, he remains the only man to have won the World Cup as player and coach.
Have we missed out on some player? Sound off in the comments section below.
