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

> Italian football has given the world the art of defending — from the stoic Franco Baresi to the commanding Paolo Maldini. Who stands tallest in the Azzurri's legendary defensive tradition?

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

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Paolo Maldini**
   AC Milan's all-time great left back and center back, widely considered the finest defender of his generation.
2. **Franco Baresi**
   AC Milan's imperious sweeper and one of the greatest defenders in football history.
3. **Fabio Cannavaro**
   Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain whose Ballon d'Or that year was a rare honor for a defender.
4. **Gaetano Scirea**
   Elegant Juventus sweeper and key figure in Italy's historic 1982 World Cup victory.
5. **Alessandro Nesta**
   AC Milan's composed and intelligent center back, one of the most technically gifted defenders of his era.
6. **Giorgio Chiellini**
   Juventus and Italy's combative center back who led the Azzurri for over a decade.
7. **Leonardo Bonucci**
   Ball-playing Juventus center back and a cornerstone of Italy's Euro 2020 winning defense.
8. **Giacinto Facchetti**
   Inter's revolutionary attacking left back and Italy's captain during the 1968 European Championship triumph.
9. **Antonio Cabrini**
   Stylish left back and key member of Juventus and Italy's golden 1982 generation.
10. **Claudio Gentile**
   Tenacious right back renowned for his man-marking and Italy's 1982 World Cup defensive shield.
11. **Gianluca Zambrotta**
   Versatile and athletic right back who starred for Italy at the 2006 World Cup.
12. **Ciro Ferrara**
   Napoli and Juventus stalwart who formed Italy's defensive backbone through the 1990s.

Tags: europe, sports, italy, portrait, football, world cup