Top 10 defenders of all time according to AI - with no EPL stars featured

In what will no doubt be a frustration to defenders all over the world, strikers invariably claim the credit for their side.

Whether they score a hat-trick or a last-minute winner, they are often the headline makers. There is no other place where that is truer than in the Ballon d’Or voting.

In football history, only three defenders have claimed the trophy - the most recent coming as far back as 2006. We thought it was about time some of the game’s most talented defenders get their share of the credit.

So, Mirror Football turned to ChatGPT to produce a top 10 of the world’s greatest defenders of all-time. Take a look at what it came up with below:

A key player for Argentina, the centre-back also enjoyed a hugely successful club career by winning seven league titles in his home country. He also has two World Cup winners’ medals to his name.

However, he only had a brief spell in Europe with Italian side Fiorentina which may count against him in this case.

A one-club man - outside of a loan spell with Monza - the Italian went on to become a legendary figure with AC Milan. He made 663 appearances for the Rossoneri but scored just a measly three goals.

Despite his distinct lack of contribution in attack, that did not do any damage to Costacurta’s trophy cabinet. The centre-back won seven Serie A titles, five European Cups and a host of other trophies.

From one AC Milan legend to another, Nesta had an equally successful career in Serie A. Having won a host of trophies with Lazio, he moved to AC Milan, where he went on to win a further two league titles, two Champions League and many more trophies.

Nesta also helped Italy to win the 2006 World Cup. According to ChatGPT, his defensive skills and exceptional positional sense see him