# Who is the best Asian defender in football history?

> Sweepers, full-backs and modern centre-backs from across the continent line up. Who defended best?

*By YPB Team · Published May 26, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-asian-defender-in-football-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Hong Myung-bo**
   South Korean sweeper and the first Asian to play in four World Cups, a 2002 semi-final hero.
2. **Kim Min-jae**
   Dominant modern South Korean centre-back nicknamed The Monster.
3. **Maya Yoshida**
   Long-serving Japanese centre-back and national team captain.
4. **Yuto Nagatomo**
   Energetic Japanese full-back with a long career in Serie A.
5. **Lucas Neill**
   Australian defender and Socceroos captain known for his toughness.
6. **Lee Young-pyo**
   Reliable South Korean left-back with European top-flight experience.
7. **Jalal Hosseini**
   Commanding Iranian centre-back and long-serving national team defender.
8. **Yuji Nakazawa**
   Towering Japanese centre-back and aerial specialist of the 2000s.
9. **Kim Young-gwon**
   Reliable South Korean centre-back and Asian Cup performer.
10. **Trent Sainsbury**
   Composed Australian centre-back and Socceroos regular.
11. **Mehrdad Minavand**
   Attacking Iranian full-back of the 1998 World Cup generation.

Tags: asia, football, players, defenders