7 greatest Brazilian defenders of all time

#6 Lucio

Lucio was at the heart of Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph

Famed for his tough tackling, no-holds-barred style of defending, Lucio was one of the best defenders in his generation and was very effective at winning back possession in one on one situations. Though primarily a centre-back, his confidence and technique in ball distribution meant he was sometimes deployed as a defensive midfielder. His height made him excel in the air and he was efficient at both defending and attacking set pieces.

He gained prominence in his native Brazil with Internacional where he won the 2000 Bola De Prata as one of the two best centre-backs in the league. He transferred to Europe in January 2001, signing for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga and had a bittersweet first full season with the club in 2002 as although he performed very well on an individual level, his club contested for and lost three titles in the space of three weeks; throwing away a five-point lead over Dortmund in the league by losing two of their final three matches to finish second, losing the DFP Pokal final 4-2 to Schalke 04 and finishing as runners-up in the 2002 Champions League final in a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid (where Lucio scored a 13th minute header).

He transferred to Germany's biggest club Bayern Munich in 2004 and spent five highly successful years at the club, winning three Bundesliga titles, three DFB Pokals and two DPB Liga-Pokals. With a year left on his Munich contract, in 2009 Lucio joined then Italian champions Inter Milan managed by Jose Mourinho.

Partnering Walter Samuel in the centre of defence, Lucio helped Inter Milan create history by becoming the first Italian team to win a treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League. His efficient positioning and superb defending were crucial to Inter winning the Champions League after 45 years as Mourinho deployed ultra-defensive tactics especially in the semi-final ties against Barcelona and Lucio showed the requisite dedication over the two legs for Inter to progress. His efforts that season led to him being included in the FIFPRO XI for 2010.

He transferred to Italian league holders Juventus, and although he was initially a starter, Lucio later lost his place in a back three to Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonnucci. He left Juventus in 2012 and returned to Brazil.

With his national team, Lucio was equally as successful, winning 100 caps between 2000 and 2011 and was an instrumental part of the squad that won Brazil its fifth world title in 2002, being one of three players to play all 603 minutes (alongside Cafu and goalkeeper Marcos) en route their triumph. He was also victorious in the 2005 Confederations Cup.

He set a World Cup record for a defender by going 386 consecutive minutes without a foul in the 2006 World Cup before Brazil's quarterfinal loss to France. After the retirement of Cafu, Lucio was named Brazil's captain in 2006 and skippered his country to victory in the 2009 Confederations Cup where he scored a header in the final against the United States.