Diego Simeone: "I admire and respect him, and if I could choose players from outside of my group, he would be the one that I would take."
Rio Ferdinand: 'Ramos, when the big games come up, the trophies are there to be won, he's normally standing there with his sleeves rolled up, To be considered the best in the world, you have got to win stuff"
Paolo Maldini: "Sergio Ramos has everything to become the best defender in the world if he is not already. Sergio Ramos is my heir in football. He's very quick, powerful & has great technique."
Luis Suarez: "Ramos is the toughest defender that I've come up against. He's very strong, competitive & has plenty of experience. He is tough."
Neymar: "Toughest defenders? Hard to say, there are so many, I think Sergio Ramos. He's great."
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Sergio Agüero: "Sergio Ramos is the most difficult defender I've ever faced ."⠀
Juninho: "For me, Sergio Ramos is the best defender in Spanish football history"
Thomas Muller: "He's won 3 UCLs in 4 years so I think Sergio Ramos is one top-level defender in the world."
Modric: “Sergio Ramos is my brother and he’s a real legend. People always judge us by our age but his level is simply outstanding. I loved seeing him today”
Player Profile
Name: Sergio Ramos García
Age: 37 (Born: March 30, 1986)
Height: 1.84m
Position: Defender - Centre-Back
Preferred Foot: Right
Place of Birth: Camas, Spain
Citizenship: Spain
Style of Play
Sergio Ramos tackling Dest
Sergio Ramos is a defensive powerhouse, showcasing a perfect blend of physicality, skill, and strategic thinking. His dominance on the field instills fear in opponents, thanks to his exceptional aerial ability, goal-scoring prowess, and uncompromising tackles. Ramos is a true jack-of-all-trades, seamlessly transitioning between positions without missing a beat. Not just a defensive maestro, Ramos is also a threat in front of goal, with a knack for scoring important goals through headers and penalties.
His technical prowess and leadership qualities make him a force to be reckoned with, serving as an inspiration to his teammates and fans alike. Overall, Ramos is rightfully hailed as one of the best defenders of his generation.
Records
1. La Liga's most carded player, with an astonishing 191 cards
2. Most sent-off player in La Liga history, with 21 red cards
3. A record-breaking 180 appearances for the Spanish national team
4. 72 goals scored in La Liga, the highest by a defender in the league's history
Achievements
Ramos Posing with the greatest defender of all time award. Photo credit: GIVEMESPORT
UEFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,2020
La Liga Best Defender: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
IFFHS World's Highest Scoring Defender of the Decade: 2011–2020
IFFHS World's Highest Scoring Defender of the 21st century: 2001–2020
Globe Soccer Awards: Best Defender of All Time
UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
La Liga: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20
UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017
FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018
FIFA World Cup: 2010
UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
Ligue 1: 2021–22, 2022–23
Trophée des Champions: 2022
Sergio Ramos is more than just a football player - he is a symbol of resilience, passion, and unwavering determination. As a captain, he leads by example on and off the field. His thunderous headers and last-ditch tackles have struck fear into the hearts of opponents and left an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
Ramos's legacy transcends mere statistics and silverware; he is a legend whose name will forever be etched in the annals of footballing history. He is not just a defender, but a guardian of the game's most sacred values, inspiring generations of footballers with his perseverance, passion, and sheer will to succeed.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “Maldini was the best and toughest defender I ever faced. He had everything: he was a complete defender, who was strong, intelligent, and an excellent man-marker.”
Ronaldo: “Paolo Maldini is the best I’ve played against.”
Roberto Baggio : "Paolo Maldini. When you found him in front of you you knew you would not pass. He was big. He was strong with his head, with his right foot, with his left foot... You needed to put together 15 players to make one like him"
Ruud Gullit: “Position for position one of the greatest players ever. But unlike certain other great full-backs, he wasn’t world class when just defending or just attacking – he could do both better than most and is an excellent centre-back too.”
Marcel Desailly: “A real monster… I find it incredible he has never been World or European Footballer of the Year. Alongside Franco Baresi he was the best defender I’ve ever seen in my career. Although everybody tends to think of him just as a full-back, he could also play as a stopper. Most people remember that great Milan side of the late-80s for its attacking play and for the forward pair of Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, but it was a team built on a very solid defence, and Maldini was the cornerstone.”
Andriy Shevchenko: “The most gifted and hard-working player I’ve ever seen. He was an excellent all-round footballer with true leadership virtues and the rare ability to be reliable in defence and creative in attack.”
Player Profile:
Name: Paolo Cesare Maldini
Age: 55 (Born: June 26, 1968)
Height: 1.86m
Position: Left Back
Preferred Foot: Both
Place of Birth: Milano, Italy
Citizenship: Italy
Style of Play:
Maldini was an exceptional football player who was not easily defined by traditional terms. He was skilled in many areas including versatility, technical ability, and defense. Even though he usually played as a left-back, his smarts and ability to use both feet well allowed him to succeed in different defensive positions. He was known for his speed, calmness, and accurate tackling.
Maldini was able to balance solid defense with exciting offense, making quick runs and delivering accurate passes. Later in his career, he played as a center-back and relied on his experience, positioning, and ability to win aerial challenges to stop opposing teams. He was praised for his smart decision-making on the field and his strong leadership skills.
Records
Most appearances in all competitions (Milan): 902
Most finals played in UEFA Champions League: 8
Longest-serving player (Milan): 24 years and 132 days
Record for most minutes played in the World Cups
Fastest goal scored in UEFA Champions League final history
Most finals played in UEFA Champions League: 8
Oldest player to score a goal in UEFA Champions League final history
Most European/UEFA Super Cup titles
Most European/UEFA Super Cup final appearances
Achievements
FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2005
Seria A winner - 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
European Cup/UEFA Champions League: 1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94, 2002–03, 2006–07
European/UEFA Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003
Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990
FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988, 1996, 2000
Paolo Maldini is remembered for more than just his stats and awards. He represents what it means to excel in football and is seen as a symbol of greatness in sports. His influence on the game is impossible to measure, and he has made a lasting impression on fans all around the world.
Emmanuel Adebayor: “Vidic was the tough man, the nastiest, like running into a rock. He could block a striker with a single finger. He walks on you, he says sorry, he kicks you, he says sorry. This guy was ready to kill.”
Robin van Persie: “When I think of him as a footballer, Nemanja puts his head where other players are scared to put their feet. That’s Nemanja."
Jamie Carragher: “My type of defender. Liverpool tried to buy him in January 2006, but our loss was United’s gain. I’d have loved to have played alongside him and I’m sure we could have formed a solid partnership. He loves defending and putting his head in where it hurts.”
Diogo Dalot: "Nemanja Vidic as a “top player” who surpasses all of his rivals."
Michael Carrick: “Vida, simply the best out-and-out defender I’ve seen. Aggression and desire to win at all costs, scared centre-forwards to death!”
Player Profile:
Name: Nemanja Vidić
Age: 42 (Born: October 21, 1981)
Height: 1.90m
Position: Center-Back
Preferred Foot: Right
Place of Birth: Titovo Užice, Serbia
Citizenship: Serbia
Style of Play:
Vidic challenging Emmanuel Adebayor
Vidić epitomizes the quintessential tough-as-nails defender, renowned for his physicality, bravery, and defensive astuteness. Labeled as a "no-nonsense" center-back, he instills fear in opposition forwards with his uncompromising challenges and unwavering commitment to winning duels. His strength, aerial prowess, and leadership qualities make him a stalwart in defense, capable of thwarting attacks with precision timing and resolute defending.
Despite lacking pace in later years, Vidić compensates with impeccable positioning and decision-making, showcasing his ability to read the game and nullify threats with expert anticipation. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United became legendary, blending Vidić's rugged style with Ferdinand's finesse to form one of the most formidable defensive duos in football history.
Achievements:
Vidic holding the EPL trophy
FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2009, 2011
Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
FA Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2008–09
Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2008–09
Best Sportsman of SD Crvena Zvezda: 2002
Serbia's Overseas Player of the Year: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010
Serbian Footballer of the Year: 2005, 2008
Nemanja Vidić's legacy as a defensive titan transcends accolades, epitomizing the essence of resilience, determination, and leadership in football's toughest arena.
Enter the realm of football's fiercest warriors, and you'll find Gennaro Gattuso, a legendary figure whose name strikes fear into the hearts of opponents. Born on January 9, 1978, in Corigliano Calabro, Italy, Gattuso embodies power, aggression, and an indomitable spirit that transcends the game
What Players and Coaches Said About Him:
Dybala: “He’s crazy but crazy in a good way... Some aren’t that nice, from when we were training, for the hits he gave me in the matches. But it was how he was."
Gattuso: "When I die, I want to go out on a football pitch."
Player Profile:
Name: Gennaro Gattuso
Age: 46 (Born: January 9, 1978)
Height: 1.77m
Position: Central Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Right
Place of Birth: Corigliano Calabro, Italy
Citizenship: Italy
Style of Play
Gattuso's playing style epitomized raw power and relentless determination. Renowned as one of the greatest holding midfielders in football history, he dominated the pitch with his physicality, aggression, and unwavering work rate. Despite lacking technical finesse, Gattuso compensated with sheer strength, quick reactions, and impeccable positioning. His combative approach and tenacious tackling earned him the moniker "Ringhio" (Snarl), striking fear into opponents with his ferocious challenges. Gattuso's partnership with Andrea Pirlo exemplified his role as a defensive stalwart, shielding the backline and disrupting opposition attacks with unmatched intensity. Beyond his footballing prowess, Gattuso's leadership, competitive spirit, and unyielding determination set him apart as a true warrior of the game.
Achievements
1X World Cup Winner
2X Champions League Winner
1X FIFA Club World Cup Winner
2X Italian Champion
2X UEFA Supercup Winner
3X Italian Super Cup Winner
1X Italian Cup Winner
1X European Under-21 Champion
2X Italian Youth Champion (Primavera)
Gennaro Gattuso's legacy as a football warrior transcends mere statistics, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring generations with his unmatched passion and relentless.