Throughout history, the world of football has produced numerous renowned stars in defensive positions. They are true warriors who always take to the field with passion and great determination. Defenders often possess impressive height along with strong tackling and interception skills. Moreover, they sometimes serve as a source of mental strength for their teammates in the forward line. With such an important role, many defenders have become legends. Perhaps you haven't guessed who they are yet? Let's find out together with admin Wintips through the list The best centre backs in the world below.
Top 10 the best centre backs in the world - Contemporary football legends
1. Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer is widely regarded as the greatest defender of all time. He was not only a technically gifted defender but also an iconic figure in the history of world football, known for his versatility, leadership, and profound influence.
He played as a centre-back but was also capable of playing as a central midfielder and a winger. He helped Bayern Munich win four Bundesliga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 1974, Beckenbauer led the German national team to victory in the World Cup and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest defenders in football history.
2. Marcel Desailly - One of the best centre backs in the world
Marcel Desailly is considered one of the greatest French center-backs of all time. He served as captain of the French national team and AC Milan. Desailly began his career at Nantes in 1983 and helped the club win a Ligue 1 title, a Coupe de France, and a Coupe de la Ligue.
In 1992, Desailly moved to Milan for €7.5 million. He helped Milan win one Serie A title, one Champions League title, and one Intercontinental Cup title. Desailly was also a key player for the French national team. He played a crucial role in France’s victories at the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship.
3. Gaetano Scirea - One of the best centre backs in the world
Italian football legend Gaetano Scirea began his career at Atalanta in 1967 and quickly became one of the world’s finest defenders. He helped Atalanta gain promotion from Serie B before moving to Juventus. In 1972, Scirea moved to Juventus for one million euros and played a pivotal role in the club’s success, winning seven Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles, and one European Cup.
Gaetano Scirea was also a crucial member of the Italian national team. He helped Italy win the World Cup in 1982 and played a key role in their defensive strength during that era. The legendary Scirea retired in 1988 and remained with Juventus to work as a scout. In 1989, Scirea tragically lost his life in a traffic accident in Poland at the age of 36.
4. Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time. He played as a centre-back and captained the England national team and West Ham United. Moore began his professional career at West Ham United in 1958 and quickly established himself as one of the world's finest defenders. He helped West Ham United win one FA Cup, one European Cup Winners' Cup, and one FA Community Shield.
He was the first defender in World Cup history to receive the FIFA World Cup Best Player award. Beckenbauer also regarded Moore as one of the greatest defensive rocks in football history. Moore captained the Three Lions to victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup and led West Ham United for over a decade, making 664 appearances for the club.
5. Fabio Cannavaro - One of the best centre backs in the world
Fabio Cannavaro, another legendary Italian defender, is widely admired for his exceptional defensive skills. Not only was he an outstanding defender, but he also had the vision to initiate attacks from deep in defense. Cannavaro began his career at Napoli in 1992 and later captained the Italian national team, leading them to World Cup glory in 2006.
In 2004, he transferred to Juventus for €10 million. He helped Juventus win two Serie A titles, though they were later revoked due to the Calciopoli scandal, and also played a key role in their domestic campaigns. Cannavaro was also an indispensable member of the Italian national team. He played a pivotal role in Italy's triumph at the 2006 World Cup, where he was awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
6. Franco Baresi - One of the best centre backs in the world
Before Cannavaro, Franco Baresi was the cornerstone of Italy's defense. AC Milan's iconic No. 6 won one World Cup, three Champions League titles, and six Serie A titles. In 1994, Baresi delivered an outstanding performance in the World Cup final against Brazil. However, despite Baresi's heroic efforts, the Azzurri fell short, losing to the Seleção in a penalty shootout.
Franco Baresi, the legendary leader of AC Milan for over 20 years, played a pivotal role in the club's success under coach Arrigo Sacchi, contributing significantly to three Champions League titles and six Serie A championships, which ushered in an era of brilliant achievements for the Rossoneri.
7. Sergio Ramos
The next legendary center-back on this list is Sergio Ramos, a Spanish football icon who captained both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team for several years. Ramos began his career at Sevilla in 2004 before moving to Real Madrid in 2005 for a fee of 27 million euros. He helped Real Madrid win five La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, and two Copa del Rey titles.
Sergio Ramos has been an indispensable member of the Spanish national team. He played a pivotal role in Spain's triumphs at the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships (2008, 2012), cementing his legacy as one of the best defenders in history. Ramos often divides opinion among experts and fans with his aggressive style of play and controversial red cards.
8. Ronald Koeman - Among the best centre backs in the world
Ronald Koeman, a legendary Dutch center-back, is another iconic name on this list. Koeman began his career at Ajax in 1983 and helped the club win four Eredivisie titles and three KNVB Cups before moving to PSV Eindhoven, where he continued his success. In 1989, Koeman joined Barcelona for a then-record fee of 7.5 million euros, where he would go on to become a club legend.
He played a key role in helping Barcelona win four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Koeman was also an indispensable member of the Dutch national team. He played a vital role in helping the Netherlands win Euro 1988 and was named the Player of the Tournament.
9. Matthias Sammer - The best centre backs in the world
Matthias Sammer began his career at Dynamo Dresden in 1985 and quickly established himself as one of the greatest center-backs in football history. He helped Dynamo Dresden win two DDR-Oberliga titles before German reunification. In 1990, Sammer moved to VfB Stuttgart for €2 million before later joining Borussia Dortmund, where he achieved his greatest successes.
He helped Borussia Dortmund win two Bundesliga titles, one UEFA Champions League title (1997), and one Intercontinental Cup (1997). Sammer was also a key figure in the German national team. He played a crucial role in Germany's triumph at Euro 1996 and was a key player for the national team after the reunification of Germany.
10. Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta's career was on the rise, attracting interest from top European clubs due to his exceptional defensive abilities. After delivering commanding performances with his impeccable tackling and composure on the ball, Alessandro Nesta earned his place in the Italian national team. At the 2006 World Cup, he was a vital part of Italy's rock-solid defense, partnering with Fabio Cannavaro. Nesta cemented his reputation as one of the finest defenders of his era, standing alongside other greats in world football.
However, after the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Alessandro Nesta suffered a severe injury and was forced to temporarily step away from his playing career to undergo treatment. Since then, fans have not seen Nesta wearing the iconic A.C. Milan jersey or making his trademark defensive clearances on the field. This marked a significant loss for both A.C. Milan and the Italian national team.
Conclusion
The list above highlights the best center backs in the history of world football. Undoubtedly, many of these names have remained in the memories of football fans, representing a glorious era of the sport. They are not only among the greatest defenders in history but also serve as role models for young players to emulate and learn from. We have seen how outstanding players like Saliba, Dias, and Van Dijk are. Hopefully, one day, these players will be added to the list of football legends above. Our trader bookmaker website will continue to provide updates on various interesting sports news, so don't forget to visit our website every day.
See also: Ranking of the most expensive goalkeeper is in history
