Defenders may not win Ballon d’Or but they are regarded as the backbone of a team. There are only three defenders who have won Ballon d’Or and one of them is discussed below.
Good defence line is very important because they provide a good support and give confidence to those who are further up the pitch.
Here are the five most top defenders including all positions right back, center back and left back. Three of them are from Italy.
Rankings are based on number of games played, number of trophies won and performance on the field.
Zanetti is currently playing his 19th season with the Serie A side Inter Milan at the age of 40. Zanetti is just five matches away to make his 1000th appearance in his football career. The 40-year-old has played 145 games with Argentina.
The Argentina international has won following trophies:
Inter Milan
- Serie A – 5
- Coppa Italia – 4
- Supercoppa Italiana – 4
- UEFA Champions League – 1
- UEFA Cup – 1
- FIFA Club World Cup – 1
4. Alessandro Nesta (Center back)
AC Milan former center back Nesta became an idol for both Lazio and Milan over a 20 years of football career. He played 261 and 326 games for Lazio and Milan. In 2006, he also won World Cup with Italy.
Lazio
- Serie A – 1
- Coppa Italia – 2
- Supercoppa Italiana – 2
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup – 1
- UEFA Super Cup – 1
- Serie A – 2
- Coppa Italia – 1
- Supercoppa Italiana – 2
- UEFA Champions League - 2
- UEFA Super Cup – 2
- FIFA Club World Cup – 1
- FIFA World Cup – 1
3. Carles Puyol (Right Back/Center Back)
From the ungainly figure, face and hairs Carles Puyol has never looked to be a natural football player. The 35-year-old recently decided to announce his retirement at the end of the season. The Barca veteran played 593 games in 15 years of his Barcelona first team career.
His trophy cabinet is full, both with club and countries.
Barcelona
- La Liga – 6
- Copa del Rey – 2
- Supercopa de España – 5
- UEFA Champions League – 3
- UEFA Super Cup – 2
- FIFA Club World Cup – 2
- FIFA World Cup – 1
- UEFA European Championship – 1
2. Fabio Cannavaro (Center Back)
Another Italian player who played for six different clubs in his 19 years of professional career. These six clubs are Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid and Al-Ahli Dubai. He won Ballon d”or in 2006 which made him the third defender to win this award.
His honours include:
Parma
- Coppa Italia – 2
- Supercoppa Italiana – 1
- UEFA Cup – 1
- La Liga – 2
- Supercopa de España – 1
- FIFA World Cup – 1
1. Paolo Maldini (Left Back/Center Back)
From this third Italian it is simply clear that Italian are dominating this list, Italian defenders are the best and irreplaceable. The 45-year-old played 902 games during his 20 years at Milan.
Following are the trophies he won with Milan.
Milan
- Serie A – 7
- Coppa Italia – 1
- Supercoppa Italiana – 5
- European Cup/Champions League – 5
- UEFA Super Cup – 5
- Intercontinental Cup – 2
- FIFA Club World Cup – 1
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