Mario Yepes

Mario Yepes defended with the calm aggression of someone who had already seen the danger before everyone else started shouting. Strong in the air, brave in contact and fiercely reliable, he built his career on timing, leadership and a remarkable ability to survive inside difficult defensive contexts without losing authority. At Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, Chievo, Milan and with Colombia, he was never the quickest centre-back, but he compensated with reading, positioning and a captain’s instinct for responsibility. His game was old-school in courage but intelligent in execution: attack the cross, win the duel, organise the line, keep the team alive. Even late in his career, especially at the 2014 World Cup, he still looked like the emotional spine of Colombia’s defence. A classic defensive leader, rugged, respected and far more elegant in decision-making than in appearance.