Fabio Cannavaro (Italy): 2006 Germany World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro will be anticipating that he bids adieu to his supposedly last World Cup appearance in style. Cannavaro has already made history by being the most capped player for Italy and winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2006, the only defender to win the crown so far. His performance in the 2006 World Cup has already gone into the folklore of Italy. Certainly age has caught up with him and he lacks pace now. But Cannavaro’s tackles and aerial abilities are still undisputed.

Ashley Cole (England): Arguably the best left back in the world and fresh from winning English Premier League 2009/10, Ashley Cole has been the backbone of England’s defense along with club mate John Terry. Cole’s all round abilities including his sudden charge forward, goal scoring abilities and making excellent crosses, had earned him the “Mr. Reliable” tag. With six FA Cups and three Premier League titles, Cole has been one of the most successful English players in the last decade. And with Cole reaching the prime age in 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, England can expect him to deliver the best.

Lucio (Brazil): Lucio was one of the three players from Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning team who played the entire 630 minutes of the tournament. Lucio is in the league of those rarest central defenders who have the ability to bring the ball up through the opponents and within the striking zone. And Brazil’s strong defense line has been centered on Lucio for some time now. The Inter Milan defender played a big role in getting the historic treble by winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia and finally the UEFA Champions League. Captaining the Brazil team in 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Lucio will be hoping to lift the Cup for the second time.

Philipp Lahm (Germany): With Michael Ballack out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, who better could have been to lead Germany but Philipp Lahm. In the last World Cup, Lahm’s performance was terrific and Germany will look up to him even in the current edition as well. Bayern Munich’s right back is famous for his pace, dribbling and crossing abilities. His ability to play in the left wing as well has been highly effective for both Bayern and Germany. Germany was third in 2006 World Cup, but with a versatile captain in Philipp Lahm they are one of the best contenders in South Africa.

Nemanja Vidic (Serbia): Though Serbia is not one of the so called biggies in the football world; they have a World Class center back in Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic. He was a part of the “famous four” of erstwhile Serbia and Montenegro who conceded only 1 goal in the 10 qualifying matches in 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Now in Serbia’s first independent World Cup appearance, Vidic is the team’s key man in the defense. He is famous for his aggressiveness, ability to fiercely tackle opponents, heading in both defense and set piece movements. Being in one of the toughest groups in 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Nemanja Vidic is expected to be the greatest barrier to the opponents.

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