Who is the best centre back of all time? It is no wonder the list of best centre back of all time include a lot of Italians. Their defensive tenacity is still on display in the current Serie A matches. Great side-by-side pairs are also among the top centre-back pairings of all time. The best centre back, on the other hand, was from Germany, and he was one of the greatest footballers ever to put on a pair of boots.
Centre backs mostly rise to become the best defenders of all time from their great understanding, aggressiveness and the passion they envy. Their contribution in the game makes most of them grow to become the squad's captain.
The technique of defending has changed over time, with the majority of elite clubs scouting for great center backs. In the world of football, the role of the centre back has evolved dramatically, and the players who excel in this position often become legends of the game. Here is the list of top 10 centre backs of all time according to recent statistics.
10. Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman excelled at set-pieces, scoring 216 goals in 604 games in Holland and Spain. Koeman was one of only five European players to win a triple with his club and a cup with his country in the same year, doing it in 1988 with Gus Hiddink's PSV and the Netherlands at Euro 88.
9. Billy Wright
He played 541 times for Wolverhampton Wanderers during his playing career, solidifying his title as the club's greatest ever player. Billy Wright was the first player in the history of football to win 100 caps for his country, England, when he served as captain.
8. Daniel Passarella
This is the player who won the Argentine Premier League four times, but it was on the international stage that he was most successful. Until Koeman came along, he was the top scoring defender in history, with 182 goals in 556 games. His presence on the field symbolized Argentina's political concerns at the time, and he was selected captain for Argentina's 1978 World Cup victory.
7. Sergio Ramos
He is without a doubt Real Madrid's finest defender and leader in the club's history. People remember him for his last-minute goals, his record number of red cards, his fiery demeanour, and his on-field brawls. He wasn't the tallest player on the field, but he was still the most dominant aerial duo player on both ends of the field. At PSG, Ramos is still a top priority.
6. Fabio Cannavaro
Since its inception in 1956, only three defenders have ever won the Ballon d'Or. Most recently, Fabio Cannavaro defeated Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, and Zinedine Zidane to win in 2006. That should tell you everything you need to know about the 5ft 9in Italian, who was a fantastic game reader and an explosive leaper who made his height irrelevant.
5. Alessandro Nesta
Born on 19 March 1976, the Italian star won Serie A titles with both Lazio and AC Milan as well as the 2002/03 and 2006/07 Champions League with the latter. Nesta was a member of the Italian national team for ten years, starting in 1996 and earned a total of 78 caps. His tremendous quickness, elegance on the ball, artful tackles, distribution, and tight marking of opponents made him a fan favourite.
4. Gaetano Scirea
According to sources, he is one of only six players in European football history to have won all international trophies for football clubs recognized by UEFA and FIFA. Gaetano is also one of just nine players in European football history to win all three main UEFA competitions, which he accomplished while playing for Juventus. During his 14 years with Juventus, the Italian defender won every UEFA Club and domestic competition.
3. Franco Baresi
The Italian played his whole 20-year career with AC Milan, including 15 seasons as captain. He was also a member of the 1982 FIFA World Cup-winning Italian squad. In 1994, he captained the Italian squad, which lost in the final to Brazil. With AC Milan, he won six domestic titles, one Champions League, and one World Cup.
2. Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore, the English international who was dubbed "the best defender in the history of the game" by Franz Beckenbauer, unveiled his best performances on the most important moments on the biggest stages. For over eleven years, he led West Ham United and the England national team to the 1966 FIFA World Cup victory. He was, however, more of the group's heartbeat.
1. Franz Beckenbauer
Apart from being the best centre back of all time, Franz Beckenbauer, or Der Kaiser, is one of the best players to ever put on a football boot. He was the first captain to win the World Cup and the European Championship at the same time. Furthermore, in 1972, the German became the first defender to win the Ballon D'Or, which he repeated four years later. With Bayern Munich, he won eight domestic leagues, one European Championship, and one World Cup.
The Best Centre Back Pairings of All Time
The best football teams have been made from strong defensive duos. Stability and formidability at the defense helps each and every player on a team express their abilities to the fullest. Here we have sampled the top five combinations:
5. Giorgio Chiellini & Leonardo Bonucci
Throughout the decade of the 2010s, the duo dominated the back of the Old Lady. They most likely knew each other better than their spouses did. However, their incredible bond did not lead to the Champions League, but it did lead to domestic dominance.
4. Nemanja Vidic & Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand was a revelation for United in the early 2000s, but the addition of Nemanja Vidic in 2006 completed the picture. Their aggressiveness, enthusiasm, and superior power helped the Red Devils dominate in the late 2000s.
3. Sergio Ramos & Raphael Varane
Ramos took on the role of master in the 2010s, and he blooded a new student in Raphael Varane. The pair worked well together and aided each other's development, ensuring that Real Madrid remained unchallenged European champions, winning four Champions Leagues in five seasons.
2. Paolo Maldini & Alessandro Nesta
Throughout the 2000s, the defenders teamed up to create an electrifying and consistent Italian defense while remaining ageless. They were the world's two best centre defenders and helped Milan win the Champions League twice, in 2002/03 and 2006/07.
1. Gerard Pique & Carles Puyol
Pep Guardiola's Barcelona benefited from the duo's elegance, passion, and aggression. They made the prime United look like amateurs in two Champions League finals, and they assisted a lot with club and nation. The duo was simply different gravy.
The Best Premier League Centre Backs of All Time
When it comes to the finest Premier League teams and their ability to electrify or not with their pushing, the defense squad is crucial. Below is a list of the best defenders in English football:
5. Sol Campbell
Sol stated it had always been his desire to win the league at White Hart Lane when he left Spurs for Arsenal in 2001. Three years later, with his second title with Arsenal, he realized his objective. Sol appeared in 503 games, scoring 20 goals and keeping 154 clean sheets.
4. Virgil Van Dijk
In 2020, Virgil Van Dijk helped the Reds win their first Premier League title in 30 years, as well as adding to their tally of Champions League titles in 2019. He presently has over 14 goals and 65 assists for the season. He is one of the best ever centre backs still playing.
3. Tony Adams
Adams spent his whole 19-year playing career with Arsenal as a centre back. He also served as England's captain. With 12 goals and 115 clean sheets, the star made 255 appearances.
2. Rio Ferdinand
Under Alex Ferguson, the maestro prospered at United, winning six Premier League trophies. He also captained his country seven times and was named to four World Cup squads in a row. He appeared in 504 games, scoring 11 goals and keeping 189 clean sheets.
1. John Terry
He is the best centre back of all time in the English league. Terry is a Chelsea legend and one-club player who won the Premiership five times. He was chosen to the UEFA Team of the Year on several occasions. He appeared in 492 games, scoring
