The Most Famous Defender in Soccer: Ranking the Top Names
Voting rules: Choose the defender you think is the most famous!
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 1, 2023 14:29)
Welcome to StrawPoll, the home of thought-provoking and engaging polls! Today, we invite you to dive into the exhilarating world of soccer and help us determine the most famous defender to grace the field! With their uncanny ability to break down attacks and protect their team's fortress, defenders have always been the unsung heroes of the beautiful game. Our interactive ranking features legends like Maldini, Ramos, Beckenbauer, and many more - but we want to know who YOU think deserves the title of the most iconic defender in soccer history. Cast your vote, make your voice heard, and if your favorite isn't on our list, don't hesitate to suggest a missing option! Let the thrilling debate begin, and may the best defender win!
Who Is the Most Famous Defender in Soccer?
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172votes
Sven Mandel · CC BY-SA 4.0The German defender is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He won numerous titles with Bayern Munich and the German national team, and also coached both teams to success.Franz Beckenbauer in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous football player in Germany
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous association football player
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous soccer player of all time
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236votesThe Italian defender spent his entire career with AC Milan, winning multiple titles and earning a reputation as one of the best defenders of his generation. He also captained the Italian national team.Paolo Maldini in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Italian footballer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous athlete in Italy
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321votes
Panini · Public domainThe English defender captained his country to its only World Cup victory in 1966. He also had a successful club career with West Ham United.Bobby Moore in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous West Ham player
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419votesAnother AC Milan legend, Baresi won numerous titles with the club and was known for his exceptional reading of the game and ability to anticipate opponents' moves.Franco Baresi in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Italian footballer
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513votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainThe Brazilian defender is best known for his memorable goal in the 1970 World Cup final against Italy. He also won multiple titles with his club team, Santos. -
617votesThe Italian defender won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and was named FIFA World Player of the Year the same year. He also had a successful club career with teams like Real Madrid and Juventus.Fabio Cannavaro in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most handsome footballer of all time
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713votesThe Serbian defender was a rock at the heart of Manchester United's defense for many years, winning numerous titles with the club. He was known for his physicality and leadership skills.
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85votesThe Spanish defender has won numerous titles with Real Madrid and the Spanish national team. He is known for his aggressive style of play and goal-scoring ability.Sergio Ramos in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most handsome player in Real Madrid
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Sergio
- Position 5 of 10 in Most attractive football player
- Position 5 of 10 in Most handsome male footballer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous player for Real Madrid
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person in Spain
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95votes
Ailura · CC BY-SA 3.0 atThe Dutch defender has quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the world, winning the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool and being named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year in 2019.DescriptionVirgil van Dijk is a highly reliable defender in the world of football. He is known for his exceptional defensive skills and ability to read the game. Van Dijk is a strong and commanding center-back who possesses great physicality and aerial prowess, making him an imposing figure in defense. He is also adept at intercepting and tackling opponents, rarely losing duels. Van Dijk's composure on the ball allows him to initiate attacking plays and contribute to the team's build-up play. His leadership qualities and calm demeanor make him a natural choice for captaincy. Van Dijk's performances have consistently demonstrated his exceptional defensive abilities, making him one of the most sought-after defenders in the world.- Position: Center-back
- Height: 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters)
- Weight: 203 pounds (92 kilograms)
- Strengths: Defensive positioning, aerial dominance, physicality, interceptions, tackling
- Leadership: Captaincy potential, ability to organize the defense
Virgil van Dijk in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most reliable defender
- Position 1 of 10 in Most handsome player in Liverpool
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous players in football
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Celtic player
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101votesThe German defender has won numerous titles with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, as well as the World Cup with Germany in 2014. He is known for his excellent positioning and passing ability.
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous defender in soccer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or defender is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2054 views
- 202 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each defender once every 24 hours. The rank of each defender is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous defender in soccer
Soccer, or football as it's known in many parts of the world, is the most popular sport on the planet. It's played by millions of people and watched by billions each year. In the game of soccer, defenders play a crucial role in protecting their team's goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring.
Throughout the history of soccer, there have been many great defenders who have left their mark on the game. From legendary players like Franz Beckenbauer and Paolo Maldini to modern-day stars like Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos, there's no shortage of talent when it comes to defenders in soccer.
When it comes to determining who the most famous defender in soccer is, it's a tough question to answer. Some might argue that it's based on their individual accolades, while others might consider their impact on their team or the game as a whole. Regardless of how you define fame in soccer, there's no denying that the world of soccer is filled with talented and celebrated defenders.
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