The 20 best defenders in football history have been named and ranked by AI

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An unrelenting art in the multi-faceted sport of the beautiful game, it's a shame that defending remains an afterthought. Especially when it comes to awarding the best footballer in the world at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, defenders get overlooked.

We're talking about those who put their lives on the line to defend their team's lead; all the subtle nuances that go undetected by fans; the hours and hours of work put in to master the craft of marshalling a backline - and it's all for what?

They are seldom given the credit they deserve - but using the help of AI, here's a list of the 20 greatest defenders of all time. From buccaneering full-backs to those in the heart of the defence, the following ranking factors were used. ChatGPT said:

"Here's a ranked list of the 20 greatest defenders in football history, highlighting their unique contributions and legacies."

20 Carlos Alberto Torres Brazil

What ChatGPT said: "Best remembered for captaining Brazil in the 1970 World Cup and scoring one of the most iconic goals in football history, Carlos Alberto was a right-back who merged defensive skill with exceptional attacking play. He symbolized the fluid, joyful football of Brazil's golden era."

A scorer of one of the greatest strikes in World Cup history (watch it, in its entire glory, below), Carlos Alberto Torres combined a slither of Brazilian flair and defensive know-how to become one of his nation's greatest to ever do it. Tenacious in the tackle, energetic enough to flood forward from start to finish and a foot like a traction engine, there was very little that he couldn't do.

19 Lucio Brazil Close

What ChatGPT said: "Lucio was a physically imposing centre-back who combined athleticism with an eye for advancing the ball. A central figure in Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team, he also won the Champions League with Inter Milan under José Mourinho in 2010."

Affectionally monikered O Cavalo - which translates into 'The Horse' - Lucio was a physically dominant centre-back, one that was not afraid to get stuck into challenges as if they were going out of fashion. Adept in the air, too, there were very few more well-rounded defenders of his era and it was the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich who were lucky to possess his excellence throughout in the 2000s and 2010s.

18 Gaetano Scirea Italy Close

What ChatGPT said: "A model of elegance and sportsmanship, Scirea was a vital part of Juventus and Italy's defenses in the 1970s and 1980s. He won every major club title, including the European Cup, and was key to Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph. Scirea was known for his clean play -- never receiving a red card in his career."

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Perhaps a lesser-known name among football fans of the modern era, Gaetano Scirea won seven Serie A titles - four of which were won during the 1980s - and was part of a very decent period in Juventus' history. On the international stage, he won the 1982 World Cup, deployed either as a central defender or as sweeper. To put it simply: Scirea was a factotum.

17 Jose Nasazzi Uruguay

What ChatGPT said: "Nasazzi was the captain of Uruguay's 1930 World Cup-winning team and a defensive titan of the early 20th century. Known as "El Gran Mariscal" (The Great Marshal), his leadership, strength, and tackling made him a dominant figure in South American football's formative years."

Jose Nasazzi's name is written in football's history books. In 1930, the defensive general became the first captain to hold the Jules Rimet Trophy aloft, while he was also named the tournament's best player. Montevideo-born, Nasazzi - regarded as the greatest Uruguay players in football history - spent his entire club career in his homeland, plying his trade for both Bella Vista and Nacional.

16 Billy Wright England Close

What ChatGPT said: "Wright was the first player to earn 100 international caps, captaining England in 90 of them. An exceptional anticipator of danger, he spent his entire career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, leading them to multiple First Division titles and an FA Cup."

A true Molineux great, Billy Wright spent the entirety of his career for Wolverhampton Wanderers - and, as ChatGPT mentioned, he was the first player in England history to reach the 100-appearance mark. Incredibly, he finished second in the race for the 1957 Ballon d'Or, which was the crowning moment of his successful career, which included three top flight titles.

15 Virgil van Dijk Netherlands Close

What ChatGPT said: "Van Dijk's commanding presence, aerial ability, and composure on the ball have established him as one of the premier defenders of his generation. He played a pivotal role in Liverpool's recent successes, including their Champions League and Premier League triumphs."

Talked about in the same breath as Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, it's hard to pinpoint which players in Liverpool's ranks are as influential as Virgil van Dijk. Maybe, Mohamed Salah? Not only is the Dutchman physically imposing, but his ability on the ball is underrated. Formerly of Celtic and Southampton, the Breda-born ace is a two-time Premier League winner with the Reds, while he also boasts a Champions League winners' medal from a campaign he was instrumental in.

14 Jaap Stam Netherlands Close

What ChatGPT said: "Stam's physical presence and no-nonsense defending made him a formidable centre-back. He had successful stints at Ajax, Manchester United, and Lazio, winning numerous domestic and international titles."

To put Jaap Stam's defensive know-how into perspective: the tough-tackling Dutchman won three Premier League titles in his three seasons with Manchester United in England and there wasn't much that evaded Stam's well-rounded tool kit.

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He could win aerial duels, intercept and tackle, and it's clear to understand why Sir Alex Ferguson ended up regretting letting him join Lazio in the summer of 2001. Beyond the silverware, the ex-AC Milan brute was colossal in everything he mustered.

13 Lothar Matthaus Germany

What ChatGPT said: "Matthäus was a dynamic midfielder and sweeper, known for his leadership and versatility. He captained Germany to World Cup glory in 1990 and had a distinguished club career with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan."

Dynamic and gifted enough to also play in the centre of the park, Germany's Lothar Matthaus won the Ballon d'Or in 1990 as he became the first Inter Milan player to win the award. Pliant enough to play in an array of positions, the one-time World Cup winner chalked up 150 appearances for Germany. At club level, he carved a 785-game career for the likes of the Nerazzurri and Bayern Munich.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Between 1980 and 2000, Lothar Matthaus' 150 caps for Germany makes him the nation's all-time appearance maker.

12 Giacinto Facchetti Italy Close

What ChatGPT said: "Facchetti was a pioneering left-back known for his attacking runs and defensive reliability. A key figure in Inter Milan's "Grande Inter" era, he won multiple Serie A titles and European Cups."

Expectedly one of many Italians on the list, as ChatGPT said, Giacinto Facchetti - a one-club powerhouse for Inter Milan - was a trailblazer of sorts. He became synonymous with running up the left flank with bucketloads of energy and speed, so much so that it emerged that he almost pursued the career of being an Olympic sprinter rather than being a footballer. He won a plethora of silverware, including two European Cups in back-to-back seasons between 1963 and 1965.

11 Daniel Passarella Argentina

What ChatGPT said: "Passarella was a commanding presence in defense and a prolific goal-scoring defender, netting 134 goals in his career. He captained Argentina to World Cup success in 1978 and had a notable club career in Argentina and Italy."

Devastating in both boxes, Daniel Passarella is, statistically, one of the highest-scoring defenders in football history. The Argentine, who is a two-time World Cup winner, popped up on 175 occasions for a goal - but don't let his extraordinary record in one box cloud over how talented he was in the other. Heroic in the tackle while also calm in possession, Passarrella established himself as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.