The Manchester United defender may not be playing in one of the most prominentnational teams, but he helps form a defense that has been particularly stingy over the years. In qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, Vidic and his comrades conceded just one goal in 10 matches, a record that helped them top the group ahead of Spain. A commanding presence who can also pop up with headed goals from time to time.
2. Maicon (Brazil & Inter Milan)
Not for a long time has there been a right-back capable of having so much influence on a game. The InterMilan defender's forceful runs down the right provide a great avenue of attack, not only for him to cross the ball, but for his teammates who can occupy the space vacated by opposition players trying to arrest Maicon's attacking sorties. He has pace to burn and is a also a solid defender. Keeps the outstanding Barcelona right-back Dani Alves out of the Brazil team.
3. Gerard Pique (Spain & Barcelona)
Many at Barcelona believe this product of the club's La Masia youth system will go on to captain the club. He was a key protagonist as Spain won the World Cup in South Africa. A composed defender who is strong in the air and the tackle, Pique is also adept at launching his team's attacks. And he even claims to know all of Cristiano Ronaldo's tricks from their time together at Manchester United.
4. Daniel Alves (Brazil & Barcelona)
Alves can consider himself unlucky that he has a player of Maicon’s caliber ahead of him in the Brazil team. In any other national team in the world, Alves would be an undisputed first-choice at right-back. Supporters at Camp Nou see Alves dominate the right-side on a regular basis, his pace, crossing ability and free-kick taking prowess helping him score at least four or five goals a season. Sevilla signed him for less than $1 million from Bahia in 2002 and sold him at a huge profit in 2008. A doubleChampions League winner with Barca.
5. Ashley Cole (England & Chelsea)
Cole is one of the few players over the years to have got to grips with Cristiano Ronaldo. At Euro 2004 he had one of his best games in an England shirt, matching the Portuguese star in a captivating battle. Since then, Cole has developed into arguably the best left-back in the world. He can get forward, score goals, cross the ball, and is Mr Reliable when on the back foot.
6. Thiago Silva (Brazil & AC Milan)
The Brazilian has almost everything. Strong in the tackle and commanding in the air, the AC Milan center back was outstanding in the 2010-11 season as the Rossoneri won their first Italian title since 2004. Silva is so comfortable on the ball, that he was even deployed in midfield by coach Massimiliano Allegri when injuries hit the squad. His performances prompted Milan to extend his contract until June 2016.
7. Giorgio Chiellini (Italy & Juventus)
Fabio Cannavaro is famous for being an exponent of the classic style of ruggedItalian defending, and in Chiellini Italy have a player to carry the baton forwards now that the great man has retired. The Juventus defender takes few prisoners, is strong in the air and firm in the tackle.
8. Patrice Evra (France & Man United)
Rivals Cole as the best left-back in world soccer. Evra is a tough customer who is reliable defensively and outstanding going forward as he regularly overlaps the midfielder before either crossing or passing the ball inside to a team-mate. A regular forManchester United and France where he keeps Arsenal's Gael Clichy out of the team.
9. John Terry (England & Chelsea)
The Chelsea defender was stripped of the England captaincy in February 2010 after it was revealed that he had an affair with a teammate's ex-partner, only for Fabio Capelloto reinstate it little more than a year later. A natural-born leader, the center-back is dominant in the air and excellent in the tackle. Terry may lack pace but has been highly dependable for club and country over the years.
10. Philipp Lahm (Germany & Bayern Munich)
One of the mainstays of the Germany team for several years, Lahm's marauding runs from full-back are a good avenue of attack for Germany. The versatile Lahm is capable of shooting and passing with either foot, and enjoyed a fine 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
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