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| Top 10 best highest goal-scoring defenders of all time |
Any football enthusiast is well aware that a defender's main responsibility is to thwart the opposing team's attempts at scoring goals. A proficient defender equipped with strong defensive skills becomes a crucial asset for any team. The renowned Sir Alex Ferguson once emphasized the significance of defense in winning titles, stating, "Attack wins matches, but defense wins titles." Despite this, defenders who excel at scoring goals are highly coveted in the world of football, and every team aspires to include such players in their lineup.
best highest goal-scoring defenders of all time
The Highest-Scoring Defenders in History Traditionally, defenders are not known for scoring goals as much as forwards and midfielders, as their primary goal is to defend the goal from opposing attacks. However, the players on our list today have proven their attacking prowess when moving forward, scoring a significant number of goals that brought numerous championships, titles, and glory to the beautiful game's history.
Currently, Sergio Ramos is considered the highest-scoring defender in the world. But who stands alongside him if we take a look at the list of the top 10 highest-scoring defenders in history overall?
Who has scored the most goals in defender history?
Ranking the top10 highest-scoring defenders in football history all time:
- Ronald Koeman.
- Daniel Passarella.
- Fernando Hierro.
- Laurent Blanc.
- Roberto Carlos.
- Paul Breitner.
- Sergio Ramos.
- Graham Alexander.
- Steve Bruce.
- Franz Beckenbauer.
Top10 best highest-scoring defenders in football history all-time
10- Franz Beckenbauer - (109 Goals)
Who is the best defender in football history? Franz Beckenbauer, the latest German Emperor, sparked a true revolution in the "sweeper" or "libero" position. Despite being far from the opponent's goal, danger loomed when the ball reached him, as he would construct an attack from the back and often finish it himself.
Beckenbauer was known for his defensive and offensive skills, recognized as a true leader deserving of respect, whether with Bayern Munich or the German national team. He succeeded with both, so it's not surprising that the defender won the Ballon d'Or twice in 1972 and 1974.
9- Steve Bruce - (113 Goals)
Steve Bruce is considered one of the greatest defenders ever to play for Manchester United. He led the Red Devils' defensive line, achieving success at Old Trafford from the time he joined the team in 1987 until his departure in 1996. He already had a historic reputation, marked by winning the English Premier League title three times.
Bruce scored 51 goals for the team, including an impressive 19 in a single season. Some of his most memorable goals came when he scored twice against Sheffield, handing Sir Alex Ferguson one of his early league triumphs with the team.
8- Graham Alexander - (130 Goals)
Graham Alexander built his reputation as a goal-scoring defender in the right-back position. He scored more than half of his goals from penalty kicks, precisely totaling an impressive 77. This remarkable number reflects tremendous confidence and composure for one of the most prolific scoring defenders in history.
Interestingly, the Scottish player did not manage to score any goals for his national team, despite playing 40 matches with them between 2002 and 2009.
7- Sergio Ramos - (131 Goals)
Sergio Ramos – Is he everyone's favorite defender? Certainly not. The personality possessed by Sergio Ramos may not appeal to many, but there's hardly any criticism for him as a legendary football player, especially in the attacking aspect. He has proven to be the beating heart of Real Madrid and the Spanish national team for many years, achieving success both at the club and international levels.
No active defender in the world currently has more goals than him. Just recall his famous header against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final to understand the significance of "the Hammer." He still has some time to surpass a few stars on the list of the top 10 highest-scoring defenders in history.
6- Paul Breitner - (141 Goals)
German player Paul Breitner's remarkable feat of being one of only five players to score in two World Cup finals tells you everything you need to know about this German defender. He was a key figure in Bayern Munich's success and West Germany's national team during the 1970s. Although Breitner began his career as a forward, he quickly discovered his talent as a left-back, becoming one of those players who posed a serious threat in the attacks led by his team.
The player succeeded in winning the German league five times, the UEFA Champions League in 1974, the 1974 World Cup, and the UEFA European Championship in 1972. He also played for Real Madrid, securing the Spanish league title with them twice.
5- Roberto Carlos - (147 Goals)
Roberto Carlos has been widely acknowledged as one of the most attacking-minded defenders, particularly on the left side. He is not only known for his impressive tally of 147 goals throughout his career but also for his trademark free-kicks and powerful left-footed shots that sometimes defied the laws of physics. Even today, his left-foot strikes continue to amaze many.
The Brazilian was a vital part of the "Galácticos" dream team at Real Madrid in the early 2000s, winning various major titles with the club and securing the 2002 World Cup with the national team.
4- Laurent Blanc - (153 Goals)
Laurent Blanc, hailing from France, played for numerous clubs, with Montpellier being one of the most notable. His skills surpassed the defensive basics, thanks to his physical attributes and astute reading of the game.
Blanc managed to climb to the top of the list of French defenders with the most goals across eras. He was a key part of one of the best French football generations in history, winning the 1998 World Cup, the 2000 UEFA European Championship, and the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. One of his most famous goals was the golden goal against Paraguay in the Round of 16 during the 1998 World Cup.
3- Fernando Hierro - (163 Goals)
Fernando Hierro, the first Spanish football player on the list of defenders with the highest number of goals in football history, made his mark in the Spanish league. He is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid, where he played for 14 seasons, scoring 102 goals. Hierro truly represented a formidable force in Real Madrid's attacking play from the back, thanks to his great ability in set pieces and headers, much like most stars on this list.
While it's worth noting that our player spent some time in the defensive midfield position, most of his matches were undoubtedly played as a central defender.
2- Daniel Passarella - (175 Goals)
With confidence, it can be stated that Daniel Passarella is the best defender in the history of South America, coming in second on the list of the top 10 highest-scoring defenders in history. The Argentine defender possessed a unique ability to score goals while fulfilling his defensive duties to the fullest. He proved that shorter defenders can excel in aerial duels against attackers.
Passarella captained the Argentina national team to win the 1978 World Cup and was a crucial part of the national squad that secured the 1986 World Cup with Diego Maradona.
1- Ronald Koeman - (253 Goals)
The Dutch defender holds the title of the highest-scoring defender in the history of football, boasting a goal tally that at times even outshines some strikers. Ronald Koeman's standout features include his powerful shots, direct free-kicks, and impeccable execution of penalties.
The Barcelona legend played a significant role during the team's golden era under Johan Cruyff's leadership. Koeman secured numerous prestigious titles, including four consecutive La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles, one with PSV Eindhoven. Additionally, he won the UEFA Euro 1988 with the Netherlands national team.
