A good defense is the key to winning titles in football. And over the years, we have seen some larger-than-life figures stand tall in the backline. In this article, we take a look at the top ten defenders of all time. 

Top 10 defenders of all time 

10. Gaetano Scirea 

Scirea worked as a libero, securing the backline when it was breached. He has won every club trophy that is recognised by UEFA and FIFA. He spent 14 years with Juventus between 1974 and 1988, winning seven Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, one European Cup, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup. 

9. Alessandro Nesta 

Nesta was the best defender in the world in 2000, not only being strong and athletic but also very technically skilled. He was named the Serie A defender of the year for four years straight between 2000 and 2003. The AC Milan legend won three Serie A titles, two Champions League titles, one FIFA Club World Cup and three Coppa Italias. 

8. Philipp Lahm

Lahm was a one-club player, spending his career with Bayern Munich as their captain. He is one of the brightest footballing minds to play the game in the 21st century, and captained Bayern to a treble in 2013, alongside a World Cup win with Germany in 2014. 

7. Sergio Ramos 

Ramos is among the players to have won every trophy competing at the top level with club and country. The Real Madrid icon is among their highest goalscorers of all time as well, and is without a doubt the best centre-back to have risen in the 21st century. 

6. Giacinto Facchetti 

Facchetti was a part of the Grande Inter team that ruled Italy in the 60s. He is among the best goalscoring defenders of all time, captaining Italy to the 1968 Euro win. He won four Serie A titles, two European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and one Coppa Italia during his club career. 

5. Daniel Passarella 

Passarella scored 182 goals in 552 appearances, captained Argentina to a World Cup triumph in 1978, which remains his greatest accomplishment. He is also the only player to feature for the national team in both their World Cup wins. 

4. Bobby Moore 

Moore was the captain of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966. He has a bronze statue outside Wembley, and is widely regarded as the best English centre-back of all time, as well as the greatest West Ham United player of all time. 

3. Franco Baresi 

Italy has a habit of producing legendary defenders, with Baresi the latest one to join the list. He captained AC Milan for 15 years and was a one-club man during his career. Baresi was voted Milan's Player of the Century in 1999. He also helped the Azzurri win the 1982 World Cup, while captaining them to the finals 12 years later. 

2. Franz Beckenbauer 

Beckenbauer was the most prolific defender in the 70s, winning the coveted Ballon d'Or award twice during his career. He led West Germany to their 1972 European Championship win, and won the World Cup with Germany two years later. Beckenbauer also lifted three consecutive European Cups with Bayern Munich between 1974 and 1976.

1. Paolo Maldini 

In a career that lasted 25 years, Maldini only featured for AC Milan, and could play anywhere in defense. After starting out as a full-back, he transitioned into a centre-back with just as much quality. The Italian legend is now the gold standard to compare defenders to. He won seven Serie A titles, five European Cups/Champions League titles, one Coppa Italia, four UEFA Super Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup during his illustrious career.