Benedikt Höwedes was a dependable, versatile German defender who spent the heart of his career as a loyal servant of Schalke 04, often captaining the side. Comfortable at centre-back or full-back, he defended with discipline and quiet reliability.
He was a member of the Germany squad that won the World Cup, playing every minute of the tournament in an unaccustomed role, a testament to his adaptability and dependability.