# Who is the best Asian defender of all time?

> Rock-solid center-backs, dynamic fullbacks, and legendary sweepers who commanded both domestic leagues and the biggest stages — from Yokohama to Turin to Southampton. Where do you stand?

*By YPB Team · Published May 27, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-asian-defender-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Hong Myung-bo**
   South Korea's legendary sweeper-libero who finished third at the 2002 World Cup and was shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or that year.
2. **Yuto Nagatomo**
   Japan's consistent left-back who played for Inter Milan over many years and earned over 130 caps for the Samurai Blue.
3. **Maya Yoshida**
   Japan's long-serving center-back captain who played in the Premier League for Southampton and starred at multiple World Cups.
4. **Lee Young-pyo**
   South Korea's rapid left-back who played for PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur and starred in the 2002 World Cup semifinal.
5. **Fan Zhiyi**
   China's most decorated defender, who played for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and captained China at the 2002 World Cup.
6. **Sun Jihai**
   China's first player to appear consistently in the top tier of English football, a reliable right-back at Manchester City.
7. **Yuji Nakazawa**
   Japan's reliable center-back and captain who earned over 110 caps and was a pillar of the defense at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
8. **Marcus Tulio Tanaka**
   Brazil-born naturalized Japanese center-back who became a key part of Japan's World Cup squads in 2006 and 2010.
9. **Lucas Neill**
   Australia's combative right-back and captain who played in the Premier League for Blackburn and West Ham and led the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup.
10. **Craig Moore**
   Australia's imposing center-back who starred for Rangers in Scotland and Newcastle United before captaining the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup.
11. **Ehsan Hajsafi**
   Iran's versatile left-back who has captained his country and earned over 130 caps, playing in Greece for Olympiacos.

Tags: asia, football, players, world cup, legends, all-time, defenders