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In a game that revolves around goals, attacking players are often the ones to hog the limelight, overshadowing the efforts put in by their defensive counterparts. Matches are often credited to the team because of their efforts in the final third, completely ignoring the importance of the players doing the dirty work on the defensive end.
Defenders are extremely underappreciated in the game of football, particularly in the eyes of the fans. However, for the managers, they are as essential as their attacking options and are often entrusted with the captain's armband because they possess the maturity that their fellow teammates lack.
Due to the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi duopoly since 2008, no other player has even come close to winning the Ballon d'Or. In fact, the last defender to be nominated for the illustrious award was way back in 2006, when a certain Italian defender named Fabio Cannavaro swept past Gianluigi Buffon and Thierry Henry to get his hands on the trophy.
Since then, no defender has been nominated, let alone win the Ballon d'Or. While the current generation possesses an array of quality central defenders, we take a look at the top ten centre-backs to grace the game of football.
#10 Carles Puyol
The Spaniard is one of the greatest ever to don an FC Barcelona jersey. Being part of the team captained by Pep Guardiola, Puyol quickly rose to the high expectations set for him, and went on the be a world beater for both club and country.
Puyol formed a seamless understanding with Gerard Pique, which saw the duo being regarded as one of the greatest centre-back pairings of all time. While the latter often indulged in distributing possession and keeping hold of the ball, the former undoubtedly stood out as the better defender among the two.
With a prolific aerial presence coupled with the ability the breakdown opposition play, Puyol was reckoned one of the smartest and most astute players of his generation. He was rightfully named Barcelona captain and went on to make a staggering 589 appearances for club and country.
#9 Ronald Koeman
Regarded as one of the most tactically adept managers of this generation, Everton head coach Ronald Koeman enjoyed an illustrious playing career back in the 80s and 90s. Being a key component of an extremely solid Dutch side, Koeman went on to make a remarkable 78 caps for his country.
While goal-scoring exploits are not something one associates with a defender, Koeman proved that a job of a centre back isn't merely to contribute on the defensive end, but also put in a shift in the final third.
Unbelievably, in the 503 league appearances he made, Koeman bagged a fascinating 193 goals - making him the highest goal-scoring defender in footballing history. To add to his phenomenal finishing ability, he was also a composed figure on the ball, and possessed an exceptional passing range.
#8 Lothar Matthaeus
One of only two players to actually have an award to recognise his efforts is Bayern Munich and Inter Milan legend Lothar Matthaeus. Along with Fabio Cannavaro, the former Germany international is the only other defender to be crowned World Player of the Year.
He is also part of a select niche of players that have appeared in five different World Cup final tournaments ranging from 1982-1998. Argentinian footballing great Diego Maradona, in his autobiography, defined Matthaeus as the best rival he ever had, particularly for his sheer athleticism and willingness to go the extra mile to work wonders for his team.
Unlike a majority of the defenders on this list, Matthaeus did not start off as a defender. He was initially a box-to-box midfielder covering a fascinating amount of grass throughout the game, but later was converted into a sweeping centre back - a position in which he excelled at before seeking pastures anew in the United States of America with the NY/NJ Metrostars.
#7 Fabio Cannavaro
As mentioned earlier, the diminutive Italian centre-back Fabio Cannavaro is only the second, and most recent defender to get his hands on the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy. His sheer quality on the ball and his anticipation to be a step ahead of the opposition made up for his lack of height.
Cannavaro, thus, was never an aerial ordeal for opposition attackers but gave them sleepless nights because of his mere physicality and never-say-die attitude. In his heydey, the former Real Madrid and Juventus man could walk into any European side and strengthen its defence.
Not only was he an exceptional defender, but was also an equally terrific leader and an inspiration for the youngsters that looked up to him in the dressing room. His captaincy inspired Italy to lift the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which in turn saw him being rewarded with the World and European Player of the Season.
#6 Daniel Passarella
Argentine legend Daniel Passarella, much like Ronald Koeman, was a defender who loved finding the back of the net. Before Koeman's arrival on the European stage, it was Passarella who was regarded as the best goal-scoring centre-backs of all time, and with good reason.
In 556 league matches throughout his illustrious career, the former Argentina international recorded a stellar 182 goals. A menace in the air and a steadfast soldier on the field, Passarella had all the attributes every top centre back should possess.
After winning numerous honours with River Plate, Passarella chose to give it a go on the European front and moved to the Italian side Fiorentina and then joined Inter Milan. However, after six seasons in Italy, he returned to Argentina where he hung his playing boots after the second stint at River.
#5 Gaetano Scirea
Gaetano Scirea was part of the world-class Juventus side of the 1980s. Due to his glorious performances for the Old Lady, Italian fans quickly began to take note of his abilities and gave him the status of a cult hero.
Even today, purists of the game regard him as one of the greatest defenders Italy has ever produced. He sits atop the standings along with some legendary figures such as Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.
The Juventus legend was an extremely elegant defender and seldom committed fouls or saw himself on the receiving end of criticism from the opposition fans. A true professional in every sense of the word, Scirea rose from the Juventus academy to not only achieve legendary status at his club, but he also did a phenomenal job for the national side, winning the World Cup in 1982.
#4 Franco Baresi
Right up there in the list of the greatest defenders to grace the game of football, is Italian legend Franco Baresi. Marshaling the AC Milan back line for a number of years alongside Paolo Maldini, Baresi quickly shot to recognition as world class centre back.
Despite losing both his parents at a tender age of 16, Baresi's undying love for the game saw him pursue his dreams and become a professional footballer for the Rossoneri. He was a one-club man until the end of his career, and never even considered a move away from the team he held so dearly to his heart.
His tackling ability was second to none, and despite not being overtly verbal, he ensured that his teammates understood what he expected of them and thus set a precedent that continued for years after his retirement.
To credit him for his phenomenal career at the San Siro, AC Milan decided to retire the number 6 jersey that he made famous by wearing for nearly two decades.
#3 Bobby Moore
The former West Ham United defender seems to have a special connection with fans of the English game. Bobby Moore is, in fact, the only person in history to captain England to a World Cup triumph way back in 1966.
Prior to getting his hands on the Jules Rimet trophy, Moore had already started to overachieve on the domestic circuit as he had been named as the Youngest Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association for his fantastic achievements with West Ham in 1964.
In one of the best FA Cup finals ever, the Hammers, led by 23-year-old Bobby Moore, came back from being a goal down on two occasions before scoring in the dying minutes of injury to seal a memorable 3-2 victory. Moore played his heart out in that game, and motivated his team to fight against all odds and etch their name in English folklore.
Despite being diagnosed with testicular cancer two years prior to winning the World Cup, Moore never let it affect his game. He dealt with numerous personal problems off the field, but once he stepped on it, there was no getting in the way of England's greatest ever defender.
#2 Paolo Maldini
In a nation that is known for its production of defensive talent, very few Italian defenders have come close to matching Paolo Maldini's undisputed skill. Being a rock in the back line for AC Milan, the Italian went on to achieve greatness in his professional career.
The Italy legend represented Milan a remarkable 904 times. He was part of the coveted "Immortals" team of the late 80s and early 90s that comprised of the likes of Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.
Maldini won an astounding 24 honours at club level - in what was an exceptionally trophy-laden career. He won the European Cup/Champions League on no less than five occasions and is regarded as one of the finest defenders to participate amongst Europe's elite.
The former AC Milan defender was extremely versatile and his timing on the challenge was impeccable. With great positional sense and a sharp footballing brain, Maldini looked at home whether he played in his accustomed centre back position or even as a makeshift left-back. For many, he is the greatest defender in footballing history.
#1 Franz Beckenbauer
If it wasn't Maldini, no other centre-back in the history of the game deserves the number one honour more than the greatest German defender of all time, Franz Beckenbauer. The Bayern Munich legend was a leader, a role model, an avid believer in his philosophies, and moreover a complete footballer.
Starting off as a midfielder because of his composure on the ball and ability to dictate play from deep, Beckenbauer slowly converted himself into a Libero - which did in fact, give rise to a new genre of defending in the game of football.
The two-time European Footballer of the Year, Beckenbauer went on to win 103 caps for West Germany and he also appeared in three World Cup finals for them. He was influential in guiding his team to a World Cup triumph in 1974 and achieved the same feat as head coach sixteen years later.
While his reputation may have been tarnished of late due to allegations of corruption which he has blatantly denied, there is no discounting Der Kaiser's abilities as a player. He has already gone down in German history as the greatest centre-back ever to represent the national side, and he is still an active enthusiast in all things football in the country.
