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

> Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Fernando Hierro — Spain's defenders have been giants of the game. Who is the greatest in Spain's storied defensive history?

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

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## Current results (1 vote)

1. **Sergio Ramos** — score 1000/1000
   Real Madrid's record-breaking captain who scored decisive headers in two Champions League finals and Spain's Euro 2012 triumph.
2. **Antonio Zubizarreta** — score 733/1000
   Athletic Club's versatile sweeper-defender who also marshaled Spain's defense through the late 1980s.
3. **Carles Puyol** — score 599/1000
   Barcelona's lion-hearted captain whose raw determination and physicality anchored Spain's dominant golden era.
4. **Jordi Alba** — score 599/1000
   Barcelona's overlapping left back who scored the 2012 Euro final goal and was a key outlet in Spain's tiki-taka system.
5. **Joan Capdevila** — score 599/1000
   Villarreal's solid left back who played every minute of Spain's triumphant 2010 World Cup campaign.
6. **Gerard Piqué** — score 428/1000
   Barcelona's composed center back and 2010 World Cup winner who partnered Puyol and later Ramos for Spain.
7. **Dani Carvajal** — score 428/1000
   Real Madrid's reliable right back and a dependable presence in Spain's defense across multiple major tournaments.
8. **Rafael Gordillo** — score 428/1000
   Real Betis and Real Madrid's attacking left back who was Spain's starting choice through the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
9. **Alejandro Grimaldo** — score 428/1000
   Bayer Leverkusen's dynamic left back who has emerged as one of Europe's best in his position for club and country.

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