The greatest teams in football history are always built on solid foundations. The best way to achieve that is with a defence that knows what it's doing.
After all, where would Sir Alex Ferguson be without the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville, Jap Staam and Denis Irwin? Could Barcelona have achieved so much under Pep Guardiola without Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol forming such a strong partnership? No chance.
From Jose Mourinho to Helenio Herrera, history is littered with defensive-minded managers who built their success out from the back. Most of the teams employed a traditional back four, made up of two centre-backs and two full-backs.
With that in mind, Chat GPT was asked to select a dream back four made up of the greatest defenders of all time. Here's what the AI technology came up with.
Cafu
Right-Back
It's no great shock that Brazilian icon Cafu got the nod. Widely acknowledged as the greatest right-back of all time, he made the biggest impact at club level first in his native Brazil and then in Italy with Roma and AC Milan. His finest achievements were with the national team, as he won the World Cup twice (in 1994 and 2002), while he also lifted the Champions League with Milan in 2007 towards the end of his career. This was enough to see him named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team, created in 2020.
Chat GPT explanation:
"Cafu was the prototype of the modern attacking full-back. Known for his insane stamina, leadership, and tactical intelligence, he captained Brazil and never seemed to tire. He was also defensively solid and contributed heavily in attack."
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Franco Baresi
Centre-Back
Another AC Milan legend, Franco Baresi is widely viewed as one of the finest centre-backs in football history. His trophy haul speaks for itself as he won the World Cup, six Serie A titles, and three Champions League trophies. He once even finished runner-up for the Ballon d'Or award, and is one of the best one-club men to have ever lived, having played for Milan his entire career.
Chat GPT explanation:
"Baresi was a defensive genius — a master of reading the game, positioning, and commanding the back line. He led one of the most disciplined defences in history and was known for elegance as much as steel."
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Paolo Maldini
Centre-Back
Perhaps the easiest name to predict on this list, Paolo Maldini was the other centre-back chosen by Chat GPT. Another AC Milan legend, the Italian actually lined up alongside Baresi 451 times in his career, so this theoretical lineup would almost certainly work in real life. What's more, Cafu was also a teammate for that Champions League triumph in 2007 – which was the fifth and final European triumph of Maldini's glittering career. He was so good, it's a big shock to learn he never got his hands on the World Cup, having been a runner-up in 1994, finished third in 1990, and had retired from international football by 2006 when Italy won in Germany.
Chat GPT explanation:
"Arguably the greatest defender ever. Though he often played left-back, his performances at centre-back later in his career were world-class. Impeccable positioning, tackling, leadership, and longevity — Maldini was the epitome of footballing class."
Roberto Carlos
Left-Back
As the final member of this elite backline, Roberto Carlos is the only man who didn't play for AC Milan. But he's no stranger to Italian football, having played for rivals Inter, and he also lined up alongside Cafu numerous times for Brazil – even winning the 2002 World Cup together. So the left-back would fit right into this dream team. Best known for his spell at Real Madrid, Carlos also got his hands on three Champions League titles and four La Ligas, making him one of the best left-backs ever.
Chat GPT explanation:
"A physical phenomenon with a cannon of a left foot. Carlos redefined the role of a left-back, combining blistering pace with attacking flair. His defensive work was underrated, and his presence on the pitch was always felt."
Chat GPT's Honourable Mentions:
RB: Dani Alves, Philipp Lahm, Carlos Alberto
CB: Franz Beckenbauer, Fabio Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Alessandro Nesta
LB: Maldini (as an option at left-back), Marcelo, Nilton Santos
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