I'm torn between Terry and Nesta as the best in the world (centre backs, anyhow), with Cannavaro a shade behind (at his age I think he's lost a TINY bit of sharpness, and I've also rated Nesta as marginally better, both are all-time greats anyhow), I go for Terry mainly because of his physical dominance (adds an extra edge to the defence) and ability to cause a lot of problems on opponent set-pieces. Neither Nesta or Cannavaro are dominant in the air (though both are very effective because of their Italian-style ability to get in front of attackers by jostling and positioning). Probably Puyol and Ayala are in my top 5 too, again Ayala is one who was better a few years ago when he slightly more pace.

In all honesty in recent form Kolo Toure is pretty much in that company.

Ghana keeper was like african keepers tend to bge. Great reflexes, good at shot stropping, but absolutely awful in the air. He made a hand ful of blunders and I am surprised Italy didn't cross into the box more often since he would constantly misjudge those balls and come out flailing.