From Maldini to Puyol: Here are the top 5 defenders of all time

When analyzing what makes football attractive, many football fans overlook the skill of defending. The last challenge or an off-the-line clearing may often be just as vital as a penalty or free-kick, and over time, who have refined defence in the same way that Pele, Maradona, and Cruyff have perfected offence.

There have been defenders who have stood out with respect to a certain style and position in defending throughout football history.

So here are the top 5 best football defenders of all time:

5. Phillipp Lahm

Lahm defender — Credits: These Football Times

When discussing the finest players of the 21st century, Lahm sometimes goes overlooked. Yet his brilliance and all-around ability were too good. Lahm, the Bayern Munich legend, has built a reputation as one of the most versatile players in world football. Excelling throughout the back line and even in defensive midfield.

The World Cup winner may not have had the speed of Marcelo or Dani Alves. But his football understanding and defensive instincts allowed him to stay up with everyone he faced. With practically everything he has accomplished in his brilliant career, Lahm cannot be overlooked when discussing the greatest defenders.

4. Carles Puyol

Carles Puyol provided hardness in a great Barcelona team headed by Pep Guardiola. He was the physical barrier that opponents had to try to breach if they ever went near the Barcelona goal. Puyol was the ideal companion for Gerard Pique. A phenomenal captain of the Blaugrana defence. That was extremely difficult to break.

Carles Puyol provided hardness in a great Barcelona team coached by Pep Guardiola. He was the physical barrier that opponents had to try to breach if they ever went near the Barcelona goal. Puyol was the ideal companion for Gerard Pique and a capable captain of the Blaugrana defence, which was extremely difficult to break.

Puyol is perhaps the greatest Spanish defender of all time, having played 589 games for Barcelona and Spain, along with a World Cup, a European Championship, and three Champions Leagues.

3. Bobby Moore

Defender Moore — Credits: Who ate all the pies

Bobby Moore is regarded as one of the classiest defenders in English football history, and his World Cup-winning performance in 1966 will live long in their memory.

Even Pele has a saying that Moore the finest “man marker he played against,”

Moore understood when to dive into a tackle and when to stay on his feet, and when a player has that skill, you know they are unique.

Many think that Moore should have won more medals after winning the World Cup and the FA Cup, but brilliance can shine without winning everything.

Almost everyone from his generation will tell you how outstanding he was as a defender, which speaks more than a league championship.

2. Franz Beckenbauer

In recent years, Franz Beckenbauer’s reputation has taken a blow, yet if you can separate the guy from the player, you are talking about the greatest player in German football history.

Beckenbauer made the Sweeper position his own and altered the way the position is played. Prior to Der Kaiser, the Sweeper was highly defensive, but he was the one who changed him into a more offensive, deep-lying midfielder.

The German’s abilities speak by his achievements, which included a World Cup and two Ballon d’Ors, which is quite remarkable for a defender. He also led Bayern Munich to three straight European Cup titles as captain of one of Europe’s finest teams.

1. Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini was coached by the legendary Franco Baresi, and it’s possible that Maldini beat Baresi throughout his career. Since, Maldini is a world football great, having played 904 games for Milan, 128 for the Italian national team. He won 26 trophies.

However, The titles only tell half the story, because to truly understand how amazing Maldini was, you must watch him work. He perfectly timed his tackles, understood when to move forward as a left-back.

He knew how to hold a line when playing in the middle of the defence. Seeing Maldini in action is a football education that everyone who aspires to be a defender should see.