Here is a list of 10 best defender in the world of all time based on their achievements and skills during play :
10. Daniel Passarella (Argentina)
This versatile player from Argentina. Strong in defense and attack, and help create opportunities for his teammates, as well as a clean sweep the opponents’ opportunity. He is also known to be effective in the execution of penalties and free kicks. With 134 goals in 451 games, he had a record as the most scored defender all the time. He is often compared with Beckenbauer.
The most notable accomplishments are the two-time world champion with Argentina in 1978 and 1986. He also won the Argentine league four times with River Plate.
9. Giacinto Facchetti (Italy)
Although his career began as a forward, Facchetti later becoming one of the most effective defender in the history of Italian football. His titles include Scudetto in 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1971; Coppa Italia 1978; European Champions Club Cup (now Champions League) 1964 and 1965 Intercontinental Cup 1964 and 1965, and winner of Euro 1968. Best of all, he won the title only with one club, Inter Milan. No wonder if Pele put him in the FIFA 100 list.
8. Lothar Matthaus (Germany)
Matthaus is playing as a defender when he was already 30 years. Previously he played in the midfield. Wherever he played, Maradona called him as the toughest rivals, and why not? No fewer than seven Bundesliga titles he has won, coupled with three German Cup, a Serie A crown, two UEFA Cups, one European Championship and World Cup. German football community awarded him become the best player in 1990 and 1999, and FIFA did not hesitate to give world's best players title to him in 1991.
Unfortunately his career as a coach is not brilliant, he was fired from the Hungarian national team and Red Bull Salzburg.
7. Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
Italy captain is the first defender to be crowned FIFA World best player after Italy won the World Cup in 2006. In the same year, he also won the European Best Player (ballon d'or) , and was twice voted FIFPro World XI squad in 2005/06 and 2006/07.
Unfortunately, though he has won La Liga twice with Real Madrid, he never won in Serie A.
6. Roberto Carlos (Brazil)
Roberto Carlos appeared in three World Cups with Brazil. In addition to bringing his team to the finals in 1998, he also became a key player when Brazil won World Cup in 2002. His contributions as free kick takers also can’t be underestimated, including the June 3, 1997, when he scored a fantastic free kick from 35 m against the French.
At Real Madrid, he won four La Liga titles, three League Cups and two Intercontinental. He is also one of six players who played more than one hundred times in the Champions League. Pele put him in the list of 125 greatest football players of all time in March 2004. He also gained recognition as an international soccer legend, given the Golden Foot Award in 2008.
5. Lilian Thuram (France)
The most successful French defender, with a collection of trophies from the four clubs in three countries and two international titles with the French team. His Ability to read the game and positioning in the field make him different from most defenders.
He has appeared in 142 games for France, which makes him the most often played for France. Despite not getting enough praise when compared to other French stars such as Zinedine Zidane and Theirry Henry, his role in the national team is not less important. He helped France win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.
4. Franco Baresi (Italy)
Baresi with Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti has touted by many observers as the best defenders combination in history. He also spent his entire career at AC Milan with 532 matches.
He collected six Scudetto, three European Cups and the 1982 World Cup. Paolo Maldini learned a lot from him, and even later Paolo Maldini’s career progression similar to Baresi. When later he was retired, Milan decided to hold back number 6 which he was always wear, an award that is rarely performed in Italy.
3. Bobby Moore (England)
Quiet defender, Moore was much praised for his ability to read the game and anticipate the movement of the opponent. He is not a defender who only rely on hard tackling. Pele called him as the most honest defender who never resisted.
On May 29, 1963, he accepted the England captain's band when he was only 22 years, and became England's youngest captain of all the time. His greatest accomplishment was to bring England to win the 1966 World Cup.
2. Paolo Maldini (Italy)
He is not only great because he has great loyalty to his club, AC Milan. More than that, he was the most accomplished defender. Together with Milan, he won seven Scudetto and 5 Champions League titles. As a player with the most appearances for the Italian national team, he also received a lot of awards during his career. Even Lilian Thuram wants become like him.
The only drawback is he has never won the World Cup champions.
1. Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
Italy may have contributed many of the names on this list. But, nothing is more worthy of being at the top than the "Emperor". The proof, many players would feel proud when compared with him. His genius makes him a person who's hard to forget. His football style on the field is very elegant.
More than that, he was the leading minds who brought revolution in the football world by creating the role of attacking libero. Previously, no one ever thought that a sweeper is also necessary to move forward to help attacking and then scoring. Beckenbauer created this tactic, and make it part of modern football.