# Who is the best defender in Brazil national team history?

> Few nations have produced defenders as disciplined, creative, and dominant as Brazil's finest — covering decades from black-and-white archives to the modern day. Who takes the crown?

*By YPB Team · Published May 24, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-defender-in-brazil-national-team-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Cafu**
   Brazil's legendary right-back who played in three World Cup finals and captained the 2002 winning side, widely considered the greatest right-back of all time.
2. **Roberto Carlos**
   Brazil's iconic left-back famous for his swerving free-kicks, explosive pace and attacking instinct over an incredible international career.
3. **Thiago Silva**
   Brazil's most decorated modern defender and long-time captain who was among the world's best centre-backs for over a decade.
4. **Aldair**
   Brazil's highly dependable centre-back who was a cornerstone of the 1994 World Cup-winning defense alongside Marcio Santos.
5. **Carlos Alberto Torres**
   Brazil's legendary captain who scored arguably the greatest goal in World Cup history in the 1970 final and was the perfect attacking right-back.
6. **Dani Alves**
   Brazil's most-capped outfield player of all time and a dynamic attacking right-back who represented the national team across three decades.
7. **Marcelo**
   Brazil's attacking left-back who was a dynamic and influential figure for the national team and among the best in the world in his position.
8. **David Luiz**
   Brazil's combative centre-back who was a key figure for the national team for many years despite the painful 2014 World Cup semifinal.
9. **Alex Sandro**
   Brazil's consistent and dependable left-back who was a regular starter for the national team for several years.

Tags: sports, football, players, legends, brazil, national teams