Many football fans when discussing what makes this game beautiful often forget about the art of defending. A last-ditch tackle and an off the line clearance can often be just as important as a penalty or free kick, and over the course of time who have perfected defending similar to how the likes of Pele, Maradona and Cruyff have perfected offence.
In the history of football, there have been defenders who have stood out with respective to a particular style and position in defending. So here are the top ten greatest defenders in the history of football.
#10 Phillipp Lahm
Lahm often goes unnoticed when talking about the greatest players of the current generation, but his skill and all round ability should never be underestimated. A Bayern Munich legend, Lahm has forged a reputation over his career as one of the most versatile players in world football, being fantastic across the back line and even in defensive midfield.
The World Cup winner may not have been blessed with bundles of pace like Marcelo or Dani Alves, but his footballing knowledge and his defensive instincts allow him to keep up with anybody he comes up against. Having won almost everything he can in his illustrious career, it is impossible to leave out Lahm when talking about the greatest defenders.
#9 Cafu
Arguably the greatest Brazilian defender of all time, Cafu was one half of the flying full-backs for Brazil, with Roberto Carlos on the opposite flank bombing forward. Cafu’s ability was unquestioned the moment he stepped foot onto a football field, and for him to ply his trade for many years in Serie A with AS Roma and AC Milan is a testament to how good he was as a defender.
Coming up against Cafu was always a test for any opposing winger, as the Brazilian had the pace to catch up with anyone who managed to get around him, but his defensive abilities meant that he knew what to do at the right time. He wouldn’t look out of place in this generation of football, and that speaks volumes of how good he was in the mid-2000s.
#8 Ruud Krol
One of the key components to the Dutch style of Total Football in the 1970’s, it would be criminal to not include Ruud Krol in this list. One of the most technically gifted defenders football has ever seen, Krol was always revered for his speed, something he miraculously kept up even until the end of his career.
Whenever he wasn’t defending, Krol would be seen starting attacks in the brilliant Ajax Amsterdam and Netherlands of the 1970s, co-starring alongside Johan Cruyff. His long passing and classiness at the heart of the defence were key reasons why Ajax won three consecutive European Cups and why Holland reached two successive World Cup finals.
#7 Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol was the toughness in what was a beautiful Barcelona side, led by Pep Guardiola. He was the physical barrier that sides had to try and break down if they ever got themselves close to the Barcelona goal. Puyol was the perfect partner to Gerard Pique and an able leader of the Blaugrana defence which was incredibly hard to breach.
Pique, the footballer of the two, would dictate play and would be more on the ball, whilst Puyol would remain the covering defender and was incredible at the back. Not only are his skills what sets people apart, but he is also one of the greatest captains we have seen in the 21st century.
589 games for Barcelona and Spain including a World Cup, a European Championship and three Champions Leagues, Puyol is arguably the greatest Spanish defender ever.
#6 Giacinto Facchetti
Often you hear stories of players moving into a different position and the positional change making them a better player, but I doubt many have been as successful as Giacinto Facchetti moving from striker to defender.
Facchetti began his career as a forward, but it wasn’t until legendary coach Helenio Herrera chose to play him in defence. In the Catenaccio style of football, the Italian excelled, with his technique setting him apart from anyone else.
Facchetti made 516 appearances for Inter in an 18-year-career and won two Champions Leagues along with four Serie A titles. Despite making his debut in 1960 at the age of 18, Facchetti will go down in history as one of the greatest defenders in Italian history and one of the pioneers of Catenaccio football.
#5 Bobby Moore
A hero in England, Bobby Moore is often recognised as one of the classiest defenders in English football history and his World Cup winning display in 1966 lives long in their history.
Even Pele admitted that Moore was the best “man marker he played against” and given some of those that have played the Brazilian, that is one heck of a compliment! Moore knew when to dive into a tackle and when to stay on his feet, and when a player has that ability you know they have something special about them.
A World Cup win and FA Cup triumph to his name, many argue that Moore should have had more medals, but sometimes talent can shine without winning everything. Almost everyone from his generation will tell you how special he was as a defender, and that says more than a league title.
#4 Gaetano Scirea
Fans of Calcio will know how good Gaetano Scirea was, but he never seems to get the credit he deserves in the mainstream. Specialising in playing as the Sweeper, Scirea forged a reputation on breaking up play with class and ease, and also being able to read the game expertly, something he has done better than probably anyone in the history of the game.
The Italian was never booked in his career, despite starting his career at Atalanta he will go down as a Juventus legend.
In his time with the Bianconeri, Scirea picked up seven Scudetto’s, a UEFA Cup, a Cup Winner’s Cup, a European Cup and an Intercontinental Cup. This is the resume of a legend, and his playing style of play will live long in the memory, even if his life was cut short at the age of 36.
#3 Franco Baresi
A lot of legends stay at a club for their lifetime, even through thick and thin. Franco Baresi is no different, spending his entire career at AC Milan for 20 years. Making his debut in 1977, Baresi soon became the best defender in the world and intimidated any forward who squared off against him.
Playing as a Sweeper, Baresi was very accomplished on the ball, and wasn’t afraid to move forward with the ball, which only added to his reputation. He had the knowledge to know when to push forward and when to let Milan’s wingbacks do the running.
14 major championships including six Serie A titles, three European Cups and a World Cup in 1982 (despite never playing a minute), and having his iconic number six shirt retired by the Rossoneri, Baresi is perhaps the greatest Libero of all time.
#2 Franz Beckenbauer
In recent times, the reputation of Franz Beckenbauer has taken an absolute beating, but if you can separate the man from the player, you are talking about the greatest player in the history of German football.
Beckenbauer made the Sweeper role his own and actually changed how the position is played. Before Der Kaiser, the Sweeper was very defensive, but he was the one who made it more attacking and almost became a creative, deep-lying midfielder.
The skills of the German were shown in his accomplishments, which includes a World Cup and two Ballon d’Ors, which is incredibly rare for a defender. He also captained Bayern Munich to three consecutive European Cup victories in one of the greatest sides in European history.
#1 Paolo Maldini
The great Franco Baresi mentored Paolo Maldini, and it’s arguable that Maldini surpassed Baresi in his career. 904 games for Milan, 128 appearances for the Italian national team and 26 titles to his name, Maldini is a certified legend of world football.
The titles only tell half the story, because to really believe how good Maldini was, you will have to watch him and see how he works. He timed his tackles to perfection, he knew when to go forward as a left-back and knew how to hold a line when playing in the heart of the defence. Watching Maldini in action is a footballing lesson, something that everyone who wants to be a defender should view.
Simply put, Maldini is the greatest defender of all time. Very few can match what he has accomplished, and even fewer are able to say that they can match his abilities as a defender.
