Defending rarely makes the highlight reels, which is exactly why the greats deserve their own page. We weighed reading of the game, longevity, leadership and the trophies their back lines protected.

1. 1

   Franz Beckenbauer

   Bayern Munich · Germany

   Der Kaiser reinvented central defence as a creative position and won everything as player and captain.

2. 2

   Paolo Maldini

   AC Milan · Italy

   Twenty-five years of elegance at the highest level — the standard by which all defenders are judged.

3. 3

   Franco Baresi

   AC Milan · Italy

   The sweeper-general of Sacchi’s Milan; positioning so good he rarely had to tackle.

4. 4

   Bobby Moore

   West Ham · England

   Composure personified, and the captain who lifted the World Cup in 1966.

5. 5

   Fabio Cannavaro

   Real Madrid · Italy

   A defender who won the Ballon d’Or, marshalling Italy to the 2006 World Cup.

6. 6

   Sergio Ramos

   Real Madrid · Spain

   A serial winner and the most clutch defender of his era — and a goal threat to match.

7. 7

   Carlos Alberto

   Brazil · Brazil

   Captain of the 1970 side and scorer of perhaps the greatest team goal ever finished.

8. 8

   Alessandro Nesta

   AC Milan · Italy

   The most graceful defender of his generation — tackling as a clean, beautiful act.

9. 9

   Roberto Carlos

   Real Madrid · Brazil

   Redefined the attacking full-back, with a left foot that bent the laws of physics.

10. 10

    Virgil van Dijk

    Liverpool · Netherlands

    The modern colossus who turned a leaky Liverpool into champions almost single-handedly.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.