Pelé played against most of the good defenders of his era. When asked who was the best, he picked Bobby Moore: "the greatest defender I have ever played against." He said it after the 1970 World Cup, and the image of the two of them after England met Brazil at that tournament, full of mutual respect, is still one of football's best-known pictures.
Four years earlier Moore had captained England to their only World Cup win, in 1966. It remains the country's greatest sporting achievement, and it was built on the calm of its captain.
Why is Moore still rated so highly?
Style, mostly. Moore did not rely on pace or crunching tackles. He read the game early, stepped in at the right moment and came away with the ball as if it had been passed to him. He was composed, elegant and very hard to get past.
FIFA named him in its World Cup All-Time Team, and many consider him the finest English footballer of all time. At West Ham he was captain for over a decade.
When the best player in history names you the best defender he faced, there is little left to add. Number 9.
Tomorrow: number 8.
