THE WORLD'S BEST SCORING DEFENDER OF FIRST DECADE



Picture : Marcus Tulio Tanaka is the leader !


The World’s Highest Scoring Defender of 1st Decade of XXI Century: Marcus Tulio Tanaka

We publish the ranking for highest scoring defenders in the world football in the first decade of XXI century. All goals scored in top level games since 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2010 are taken in consideration.
The Japanese Marcus Tulio Tanaka was the number one in this category with 58 goals followed by Daniel Van Buyten (Belgium) with 57.
The similar ranking for highest scoring defenders in 2nd decade (2011-2020) was published earlier. The winner was Sergio Ramos (89 goals).


 HIGHEST SCORINGDEFENDERS      
 IN 1st DECADE OF XXI CENTURY (2001-2010)   
         
 PlayerCountryRoleGoals   Total
    NLNCICCNT 
1Marcus Tulio TanakaJapanCB4541858
2Daniel Van BuytenBelgiumCB3468957
3John Arne RiiseNorwayLB29771255
4Roberto CarlosBrazilLB3667655
5Héctor AltamiranoMexicoRB4323452
6Daniel MajstorovićSwedenCB4064252
7Darijo SrnaCroatiaRB17851949
8Dedi Ben DayanIsraelLB3844147
9John Terry EnglandCB19109644
10Diego LuganoUruguayCB3026442
11Mato NeretljakCroatiaCB3452142
12LuisãoBrazilCB2567341
13NaldoBrazilCB27410 41
14Lúcio BrazilCB2457440
15Jersson GonzálezColombiaRB37 2140
16Christoffer Andersson SwedenRB3433 40


Only the players which held essential majority of their games as defenders are admitted. 
The column “Role” means the main position of the player (CB = centre back, RB = right back, LB = left back). 

Full names of Brazilian players:
Lúcio = Lucimar Ferreira da Silva
Luisão = Ânderson Luís da Silva
Naldo = Ronaldo Aparecido Rodrigues

Abbreviatures:
NL – National League
NC – National Cups
ICC – International Club Competitions
NT – National Team