Ranking the 10 best defenders in the world

#2 Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

Godin has become a great defender until Diego Simeone

Godin is 32 now, but he just keeps on getting better with age. Diego Simeone is certainly a man who deserves some credit for his success. In an age where almost every manager at top clubs are desperate for their players to pass out from the back, Simeone has kept it simple. He wants his defenders to be as good at defending as possible, and it doesn’t matter how good they are with the ball.

Godin’s ability to defend is second to none. He reads the game so well, takes up perfect positions, and knows when to step in to win the ball. He has been a leader for Atletico for a number of years, and it has been only his loyalty that has stopped him winning more honours in his career. He has formed an excellent partnership with Jose Gimenez at club level and has recreated that with Uruguay as well.