The best central defenders are the last field players before the goalkeeper is reached, they carry great importance, since they have to be forceful and know how to anticipate, which is why they lead the entire defense and even the entire team on certain occasions. . In addition, they are the players who build the play, therefore they must have a good vision of the game to make a good exit of the ball, thus taking advantage of the free spaces giving advantages to their teammates.
It is not unusual to find the captain's armband on the arm of a central defender, especially when we talk about stars like the ones we are going to highlight.
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Franco Baresi
This Italian legend has dedicated his entire sports career to one team: AC Milan. It is very curious, because his brother played in the ranks of the biggest rival, Inter, in the center of defence. He won the World Cup with Italy in 1982 and won a total of 18 titles with his club. His shirt number has been withdrawn from Milan in recognition of his merits.
Franz Beckenbach
Known as Beckenbauer the Kaiser, he is considered by many to be the best defender to have played since football was invented. With the German team he won a World Cup and a European Championship, as well as several titles with his team, Bayern Munich. He won the Ballon d'Or twice, something very difficult for a player who is not a striker.
Carles Puyol
We take a tour of the house to highlight the best defender Spain has ever had. He also spent his entire career in a team like the previous one. With Barcelona he won six titles in just one year, which he raised as captain. A total of 21 and 2 more were selected in Spain, the World Cup and the European Championship.
Sergio Ramos
The story of Sergio Ramos is somewhat peculiar, since he began as a right back but over time he moved to the center, where he has established himself as one of the best defenders in history. He has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or on several occasions, and appears as the ideal central defender for this award in his third ideal team (2020). His track record is the most complete: World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, Spanish and European Super Cup, Club World Cup, League and Copa del Rey. It can be said that it has achieved everything, and as of today it is still active, so the prizes may increase.
Daniel Passarella
We jump the puddle and go to Argentina. There we find Passarella, the only player from that country to win two World Cups to date. He played in Argentina and Europe, specifically in Italy. He is the defender who has scored the most goals in Argentina.
Matthias sammer
Sammer played on two national teams. First in the German Democratic Republic and later in the reunified team. He took a Ballon d'Or and won a European Championship. A knee injury and several subsequent complications (he had 5 operations) forced him to retire in his early 30s, so he could have achieved much more.
Bobby Moore
We return to Europe and arrive in England. Bobby Moore won a World Cup with the national team, of which he was captain. He died very young due to cancer, but his legend lives on.
Elijah Figueroa
The Chilean defender was declared the best player in the world in the 1970s twice in a row. He played in Brazil, so he was invited to leave his footprints in the legendary Maracana stadium, where they can be seen. He is considered the best Chilean soccer player and the best foreigner who has played in Brazil.
Fabio Cannavaro
He is one of the most prominent names in Italy when it comes to football in general, and the best central defenders in particular. Winners of the Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA Player the same year, he also has a World Cup in his showcase (he was the captain of the Italian team when he achieved it), a UEFA Cup and several titles in Italy and Spain. After hanging up his boots, he has continued to be linked to football as a coach, even being the China national team coach on 2 occasions, although with less luck than with the teams he commanded.
Ruud Krol
Another defender who changed from a full back to the central position. Cruyff's teammate on the national team Krol stood out as a sweeper in the 1970s with Ajax thanks to his potential to close off space for the rival. Two runners-up in the world with the Dutch national team, several leagues and cups in the Netherlands and European championships, all with Ajax, are part of his record. His last game with the national team was in 1983, and 3 years later he retired from the field to go on the bench coaching various clubs around the world.
Oscar Ruggeri
One of the living legends of Argentine soccer, who won practically everything with his team: World Cup, Copa América and Confederations Cup. He had two very brief spells in Spain, first at Logroñés and Real Madrid, and a few years later at Jaén, in Segunda B. His style of play was quite intense, although he is also remembered for being a player with the ability to score goals and a lot of class.
Ronald koeman
Temperamental both on and off the pitch, Koeman played as a libero, where he stood out, and also as a midfielder. Combination that served him to be considered one of the highest scoring defenders in history with almost a goal every two games on average.
He went through the 3 big clubs in the Netherlands, won the European Championship with his national team and played for the Barça Dream Team, where he continued to stand out by winning leagues, Copa del Rey, Spanish and European Super Cups, as well as a European Cup.
Paolo Maldini
Another Italian defender who played for Milan. He did not win world championships, but he did win 26 club titles. He won the award for the best player in the world in 1994 and FIFA awarded him the Order of Sports Merit medal.
