Defensive defenders have always played a crucial role in the history of world football, they are the team's last line of defence, and they are as strong as an iron bucket. Ronaldo has commented that the team with four top defenders, Maldini, Carlos, Beckenbauer and Cafu, is impregnable in defence. Their judgment and defensive skills are admirable, and even Ronaldo struggled to score in front of them in his prime.
Although Nesta is also an excellent defender, she seems to be slightly inferior in front of these four big players. Carlos is not as good defensively as the top, but his offensive ability is second to none. In addition to these four, there are other defenders in world football who are strong defensively, such as Nesta, Stam, Cannavaro and Baresi, among others.
In Milan, Nesta's arrival marked the beginning of Carlo Ancelotti's era, and Carlos's attacking ability is undoubtedly one of his great characteristics, however, in defence, Carlos seems to be a bit of a gap compared to Nesta. Looking back at the '98 World Cup, Carlos and Cafu, who were the main defenders, represented Brazil, but their performance in that World Cup was not satisfactory, which also exposed the limitations of the overall strength of the Brazilian team. Carlos, for his short stature and average defensive ability, is an attacking defender who plays well on strong teams, but can look inadequate on weak teams. Carlos's performance is somewhat similar to that of current star Marcelo, but his defensive ability is slightly inferior. His style is perhaps more suited to an attacking team, and when he's in the middle of a strong team, he'll be able to put his skills to the fullest. If you are on a weak team, you may not be able to do it. Compared to current star Marcelo, Carlos has performed somewhat similarly, but has been slightly lacking on the defensive end.
Still, that doesn't deny his outstanding contribution as an attacking defender, and his footprints have left a strong mark on the stage of history. As for Ronaldo, the discussion of the strongest defender in world football is still fierce, and everyone has their own answer in their hearts.
Who is the best defender in football? On the world football stage, there is no end to the debate about who is the best defender. Maldini's solid backline is considered to be the backbone of the AC Milan dynasty, with a solid defence and keen awareness making him an excellent choice for captaincy. Carlos' attacking prowess and set-piece skills are also impressive, and his quick reflexes in the transition between attack and defence are intimidating to opponents. Beckenbauer has won numerous accolades for his steadfastness and organisational skills, and his leadership and technical skills have made him an indispensable member of the Dutch national team. As for Cafu, while he may be a little inferior defensively, his attacking threat and passing skills should not be underestimated.
In addition to these four legendary defenders, Nesta's name should not be overlooked. As the backbone of AC Milan, his solid defence and precise positional sense often make it difficult for opponents to break through. Although Nesta may seem a little lacking in front of the four legendary defenders in Ronaldo's eyes, his contribution and influence should not be underestimated.
In the history of football, these legendary defenders have their own merits, and each has brought glory and glory to their team. Their names will forever be etched in the annals of football history and become eternal legends in the hearts of countless fans.