World Cup is undoubtedly the biggest footballing platform for the football fanatics to prove their worth. As per Sir Alex Ferguson, "Attack wins you games, defense wins you title.", which was justified by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic who lead Manchester United to numerous trophies in the Ferguson area.
Here, from the 11 man squad, today we bring you the list of top five defenders for you to watch at the FIFA World Cup 2018.
CAPTION: Thiago Silva SOURCE: Daily Mail The Paris Saint-German F.C. defender has established himself as one of the highest rated defenders in the world. In 2012 Siant-German signed Thiago Silva for €42 million, making him the second most expensive defender in history after Rio Ferdinand. With his current team, he won four consecutive Ligue 1 champions, five consecutive Coupes de la League and three consecutive Coupe de France.
Silva captioned Brazil to the victory at the 2013 FIFA Confederations and Cup and to fourth place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Silva has netted 5 goals in 68 appearances for the national team.
Trophies: National
Confederations Cup (Winner)
Olympics (Runner-up)
CAPTION: Sergio Ramos SOURCE: The Accent Sergio Ramos, who captains both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team is one of the best defenders of the current time. Primarily a central defender, he also plays as a right back. Ramos joined the UEFA defending champions in the summer of 2005, after emerging through Sevilla's youth academy. The 32-year old defender has won 18 major trophies with Real, including four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League titles. He is one of the La Liga's top scorers from a defensive position.
On March 26, 2005, at the age of 18 Ramos made his debut for the senior side, making him the youngest player to play for the national team in the last 55 years. He represented his national team at three World Cups and three European Championships. He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro (2008 & 2012).
Trophies: National
World Cup - Winner - 2010 South Africa
European Championship - Winner - 2012 Poland/Ukraine, 2008 Austria/Switzerland
ConfederatCups Cup - Runner-up - 2013 Brazil
EC Qualification - Winner - 2008 Austria/Switzerland]
CAPTION: Mats Hummels SOURCE: RantSports Mats Hummels, the German central defender for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team came through Bayern Munich youth academy before joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January 2008. He has won two league titles and finishing as runner-up in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League. In May 2016, Mats Hummels signed for his former club Bayern Munich.
The 29-year old made his debut for the senior national side on 13 May 2010, as a 46th-minute substitute for Serdar Tasci, taking part in a 3-0 win over New Tivoli. He was in the starting line-up for Germany's opening UEFA Euro 2012 match against Portugal, leading the team to a 1-0 victory. Since 2010 he has 53 caps and has represented the national side at UEFA Euro 2012, 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
CAPTION: Varane SOURCE: FIFA Raphael Varane, the center-back for Spanish club Real Madrid and the France national team joined the Spanish side in the summer of 2011. Varane, 25, has made over 200 appearances for the club and has won 14 major trophies including two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles. At just 24, he won his third UEFA Champions League trophy, making him the youngest defender ever to have won three Champions League trophies.
Varane made his international debut for the senior side in March 2013 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was nominated for the Best Young Player at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In January 2014, he was named as one of the ten most promising young player in Europe by The Guardian. Lens youth coach Eric Assodourian has described Varane as a "truly first class player" who is "comfortable on both the tactical and technical level".
CAPTION: Gerard Pique SOURCE: The Telegraph Gerard Pique, the center-back for Barcelona and Spain national team is one of the most-decorated defenders in the world. A product of Barca's Cantera, La Masia, Pique joined Manchester United in 2004 and played for the red devils until 2008. He returned to Barca under Pep Guardiola's leadership, helping the club win trebles in 2008-09 and 2014-15. Pique is one of four players to have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams.
Pique made his debut for the National team, senior side, on February 11, 2009. He has been one of the key players at Spain's victory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.
Also Read: Top 5 Players expected to make it big at the FIFA World Cup 2018
