Ramos tops a stellar 21st-century defenders list, Hakimi earns his place among the elite
8 February 2026
The Atlas Lion roars among football's legends.
Key picks and ranking
The Canal+ list of the best 15 defenders of the 21st century is led by Spanish star Sergio Ramos, followed by Paolo Maldini and Roberto Carlos. The ranking also includes Fabio Cannavaro in fourth, Carles Puyol in fifth, Cafu in sixth, Alessandro Nesta seventh, Dani Alves eighth, Lilian Thuram ninth, Rio Ferdinand tenth, Marcelo eleventh, Philipp Lahm twelfth, Thiago Silva thirteenth, Raphaël Varane fourteenth, and Ashraf Hakimi in fifteenth.
Hakimi's historic standing
The inclusion of Hakimi underscores the Moroccan's historical stature on both European and world stages, especially after lifting the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint‑Germain in 2024-25 and helping the Atlas Lions to fourth place at the 2022 World Cup.
The list also reflects how defenders have evolved across leagues and continents, proving that a clean sheet can still be a team's best trophy.
The author, Mohamed Sharaf Eldin, notes the enduring impact of these players on the modern game.
Two light punchlines to keep things spicy: If defenders keep this up, attackers will start bringing snacks to avoid a second helping of heartbreak. And remember, if you can’t score past Ramos, at least try not to compliment his haircut—he’ll defend it too.
