You have to go as far back as 2006 to find the last time a defender was in the top three of the Ballon d’Or, or 2014 if you want to include Manuel Neuer. Anyway, the point is that the eye-catching and headline-writing forwards have taken the affection away from the art of defending.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar all have the ability to win matches on their own in those split-second moments which capture the imagination. What is forgotten are the generals at the back who hold on to leads and give the stars their limelight.

One player who captures the selfless work of a defender is Uruguay and Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin. “Godin had always had a very defined personality,” said Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez. “He shows solidarity and that has made him stand out the group and it has rubbed off on them too.

World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Fernando Muslera- 7/10 Had little to do in the first half, helped by a very strong defence, looked unsure under some high balls late on. Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Martin Caceres - 7/10 An energetic defender that thwarted Portugal down his right so much, that almost all of their attacks and balls in came from the left. AP World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Jose Gimenez - 8/10 Alongside his clubmate Godin, Gimenez looked strong in defence, and rarely left a player unmarked. Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Diego Godin - 7/10 The captain, and the leader, Cavani’s opening goal meant they would be facing plenty of attacks, he rose to the occasion in his usual no-nonsense manner. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Diego Laxalt - 7/10 Lost possession a couple of times, but played well for the most part, and worked hard for his team. REUTERS World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Lucas Torreira - 7/10 A slight figure in stature, but the potentially Arsenal-bound midfielder dealt well with the physicality of the likes of William Carvalho. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Nahitan Nandez - 7/10 Another to fight for every ball, he put his body on the line for his team, helped by Cavani when left isolated on occasion. AP World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Matias Vecino - 7/10 Hard working and comfortable in possession, despite all of the Portuguese pressure. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Rodrigo Bentancur - 6/10 Showed sparks of his growing talent, but had little direct effect on the attacks with Suarez and Cavani in fine form. REUTERS World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Luis Suarez - 8/10 A constant menace to the defence as always, as well as providing an assist for Cavani’s opener. REUTERS World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Edinson Cavani - 9/10 The best player for Uruguay, his one-two with Suarez which he created and scored was the difference, and he helped out in defence too. Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Rui Patricio - 6/10 Couldn’t do a great deal about Cavani’s goals and was almost the hero late on amidst a penalty appeal in added time. REUTERS World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Ricardo Pereira - 6/10 For most of the game Portugal pushed forward looking to find an equaliser, and he looked a threat there rather than solid in defence. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Pepe - 7/10 A danger from set pieces when he is able to evade Suarez and Cavani at the other end, and showed that with his second half goal, could’ve done better for Cavani’s second. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Jose Fonte - 6/10 A threat from set pieces, but struggled with an inform duo of Suarez and Cavani. Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Raphael Guerreiro - 6/10 Could have done better for Cavani’s opening goal, but the victim of a good ball, and struggled against Caceres going forward. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Bernardo Silva - 7/10 Had lots of possession down the Portuguese right but struggled to find a final ball for Guedes or Ronaldo. Had plenty of energy until the very last moment. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Adrien Silva - 6/10 Had little direct impact on the game, kept possession ticking over, average and replaced in the second half. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings William Carvalho - 6/10 Comfortable in possession but at times Portugal were open on the counter leaving his defence vulnerable. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Joao Mario - 6/10 A danger going forward, he is never afraid to take someone on and try to surge forward. Lacking a final ball. AP World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Goncalo Guedes - 5/10 Underwhelming, and has looked a little overawed by the World Cup stage. Looks not quite ready for the pressure of a nation at just 21. AFP/Getty Images World Cup: Uruguay vs Portugal player ratings Cristiano Ronaldo - 6/10 Struggled against the solidity of Uruguay’s defence, but always calling for the ball and trying to make it happen. Shouldering the hopes of a nation was too much tonight. Getty Images

“He earned the captaincy for his achievements and his commitment and his example, and in a certain way he represents the very best of a nation like Uruguay.”

No player completed more clearances (12), more tackles (8) and won more aerial duels (8) during the group stages than Godin, who emerged from the first three games as part of the only team to not concede a goal in the World Cup.

The same defensive resilience he showed in the opening round was again there for all to see against Portugal and Ronaldo in the round of 16. Godin and Ronaldo have met each other many times in Madrid derbies, on 27 occasions in fact. In that time the Real Madrid forward has scored two hat-tricks but fired blanks in 13 of the last 20 matches.

Diego Godin has faced Cristiano Ronaldo on 27 previous occasions (AFP/Getty Images)

As soon as Edinson Cavani headed Uruguay into a seventh minute lead, Portugal’s task of scoring past the perfect defence became significantly harder.

Ronaldo tried everything, but Uruguay are set up to play around their best player: Godin. The team were sat deep to prevent his lack of pace being exposed, and any attack in front of them was neutralised by a sea of blue players. Crosses were headed away and long shots were blocked. Portugal were looked to be running out of ideas.

When Portugal did eventually breach the defence, blame could perhaps be levelled at Godin when Pepe headed in an equaliser. Raphael Guerreiro’s corner whizzed over Ronaldo, falling instead to Pepe who headed in. Godin was so obsessed with stopping Ronaldo, Pepe had snuck behind him and remained unmarked.

So just how good is this defence? It seemed that Godin had been dragging the team with him, and the one time he needed someone to bail him out, they conceded. Luckily for him, Cavani later stepped up to restore Uruguay's advantage.

While this game may have been a slight exception, Godin is continuing to show at this tournament why he should be considered as the best central defender in the world. Sergio Ramos may come closest and it is probably a straight battle between the pair for the crown, but there’s a certain old-fashioned charm to the way Godin plays which edges him slightly ahead.