La Liga 2011: Barcelona Star Gerard Pique Is the Best Defender in the World

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is the best center back in the Europe, and the premier defender in the world.

Pique has a spectacular list of accomplishment in his short career. He is a World Cup winner with Spain, a two-time UEFA champions league winner and has won multiple Premier League and La Liga titles.

Last week, Pique was recognized as a member of FIFA's FIFPro World XI of 2010. 

Pique is a player who comes around once on a decade. He has so many tremendous qualities that make him the perfect all-around defender.

He can defend with great precision. He is strong, smart and a good attacker. He played forward in his youth, and has not lost these attacking skills.

Pique is a real threat on corner kicks, and his 6' 4" frame certainly helps that. But he is also a great passer, which is a necessity of anyone wishing to play at Barcelona.

Pique has scored some tremendous goals in his career, including a great goal vs. Inter Milan in the second leg of last year's Champions League semifinal at the Nou Camp.

His partnership with fellow Spaniard and center back Carlos Puyol has made the Barcelona defense one of the better units in Europe.

Puyol, the current captain of Barcelona, will likely give the captain's armband to Pique when he retires. Pique has all the leadership qualities needed in a captain.

Pique will continue to be a star for club and country, and has received praise from some of the all-time great footballers.

German legend Franz Beckenbauer has said that Pique is an amazing player, and would love to see him join Bayern Munich, but knows the likelihood of Pique leaving his home is not good.

He also noted that Pique's nickname of Piquenbauer is an appropriate nickname, comparing the two great defenders.

Gerard Pique is the best defender in the world, and at such a young age, will soon be a top-five player in all of world football.