In football, defenders frequently find themselves in the shadow of their more celebrated counterparts, the strikers. While goal scorers hog the limelight and dominate Ballon d’Or awards, defenders often go unheralded. Only three defenders have clinched the Ballon d’Or, with the most recent victory dating back to 2006. To rectify this imbalance, Mirror Football turned to AI, specifically ChatGPT, to compile a list of the top 10 defenders in football history. Notably, this list excludes any Premier League stars.
The Top 10 Defenders
Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 defenders as determined by AI:
10) Daniel Passarella
Daniel Passarella, a prominent figure in Argentina’s football history, secured his place on this list. The center-back shone on the international stage and enjoyed a successful club career, winning seven league titles in Argentina and clinching two World Cup winners’ medals. However, his brief European stint with Italian side Fiorentina might have affected his ranking.
9) Alessandro Costacurta
Alessandro Costacurta, a loyal one-club man with AC Milan, earned legendary status in Italian football. Despite his minimal goal-scoring contributions, Costacurta’s trophy cabinet is packed with seven Serie A titles, five European Cups, and numerous other honors. His unwavering defensive prowess earned him a place on this list.
8) Alessandro Nesta
Another AC Milan legend, Alessandro Nesta, excelled in Serie A. After winning multiple trophies with Lazio, he added to his collection at AC Milan, claiming two more league titles and two Champions League victories. Nesta’s defensive skills and impeccable positioning secured his spot as one of the greatest defenders.
7) Franz Beckenbauer
Known as “Der Kaiser,” Franz Beckenbauer redefined the center-back role during his illustrious career with Germany and Bayern Munich. Beckenbauer’s list of achievements is impressive with five Bundesliga titles and three European Cups. He played a pivotal role in Germany’s 1974 World Cup victory, making his placement on this list well-deserved.
6) Roberto Carlos
While Beckenbauer changed the demands of a center-back, Brazilian international Roberto Carlos redefined the modern-day demands of a full-back. He arguably was the first in a long line of attacking left-backs. Roberto Carlos became well-known for his physics-defying free-kicks for both Real Madrid and Brazil. His peak came with Spanish giants Real Madrid, winning four league titles and three Champions Leagues.
5) Franco Baresi
There’s something about Italian center-backs, isn’t there? Franco Baresi was a one-club man as he made 719 appearances for AC Milan over a two-decade career. He played a key role in the club’s most successful period, helping them to six league titles and three European crowns. Baresi also won the World Cup in 1982, finishing as the Ballon d’Or runner-up in 1989.
4) Cafu
While he can’t quite match the club achievements of some of his colleagues on this list, winning just two Serie A titles and a Champions League, the Brazilian Cafu was a key performer for his country as they won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups. Cafu was known for his incredible work rate and endurance that he displayed throughout his career.
3) Carlos Alberto
Another iconic Brazilian right-back, Carlos Alberto, is celebrated for his iconic goal in the 1970 World Cup final. He became a legendary figure in his home country, making the majority of his appearances alongside Pele for Santos. While more comfortable on the right flank, Alberto was also capable of playing at centre-back, something that was extremely helpful to Brazil.
2) Bobby Moore
So legendary within English football that he has his statue outside of Wembley Stadium; Bobby Moore is widely considered one of the best center-backs in football history. He made just shy of 650 appearances for West Ham and earned 108 caps for England. Moore remains the only captain to have lifted the World Cup for the Three Lions.
1) Paolo Maldini
What is it about Italian center-backs at the San Siro? Another one takes the top spot in this list in the form of Paolo Maldini. Known for his elegance, versatility, and exceptional defending skills, he was equally adept at playing both in the center and on the left. Maldini boasts a remarkable record of seven Serie A titles, five Champions League titles, and three Champions League finals.
AI’s ranking of these defenders highlights their often underappreciated contributions to the football world. While strikers may hog the limelight, these defenders have left an indelible mark on the sport’s history with their defensive prowess and remarkable achievements.
