The 25 Greatest Defenders Of All Time Have Been Named And Ranked By Fans

The sweeper was adept to playing at left-back as well as central defence across three different decades.

He retired from international duty after the 2002 World Cup and if he'd have hung on for four more years, he'd have added a World Cup winners medal to his trophy cabinet too.

John Terry and Franz Beckenbauer round out the top five, which is missing a certain Sergio Ramos.

He's failed to reach those heights since moving to France last summer, but is the highest placed active player on the list.

Check out the top 25 below:

25. Lilian Thurman

24. Ashley Cole

23. Djalma Santos

22. Denis Irwin

21. Dani Alves

20. Cafu

19. Gary Neville

18. Vincent Kompany

17. Jaap Stam

16. Rafael Marquez

15. Fabio Cannavaro

14. Alessandro Nesta

13. Thiago Silva

12. Franco Baresi

11. Rio Ferdinand

10. Gerard Pique

9. Philipp Lahm

8. Roberto Carlos

7. Bobby Moore

6. Sergio Ramos

5. Franz Beckenbauer

4. John Terry

3. Carles Puyol

2. Nemanja Vidic

1. Paolo Maldini

There are a few interesting calls in here to say the least.

Gary Neville is no doubt a legend, but he's somehow managed to rank above Dani Alves.

The Barcelona full-back is the most decorated footballer in history with 46 senior titles across four different leagues and the Brazil national team.

Franco Baresi also fails to break into the top ten, which is a crime against the sport.

Baresi spent 20 years at AC Milan and won the 1984 World Cup with Italy.

Who do you think is the best defender of all time?

Let us know in the comments.