Gerrard, Totti & Puyol... 5 iconic captains who were leaders on & off the pitch

Steven Gerrard, Francesco Totti Carles Puyol, and Patrick Vieira make up for some of the most iconic captains in Football.

When a team's morale is low and needing inspiration, that's when the captain steps in.

Whereas a coach is responsible for team management, squad selection and a more tactical overview of aside, it is a team captain's role to act as the official leader both in the dressing room and on the pitch.

Now, We look at the famous captains in football history.

Steven Gerrard

Former Liverpool midfielder Gerrard is one of the most famous examples of a notable captain, valued for his skill, talent and ability to rescue a side from the scruff of their neck when in a vulnerable position.

The ex-midfielder played a vital role in two of Liverpool's most famous matches – the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan and 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham. Liverpool were in losing positions during both games, until it took Gerrard scoring to rescue the Reds.

It was the former England international's goal that inspired the famous Istanbul victory , where Liverpool found themselves 3-0 at half-time. Gerrard scored a free header that initiated the comeback, with Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso scoring within six minutes to equalise 3-3 – before Liverpool won the match through penalty shootout.

Francesco Totti

One-club man Francesco Totti is another iconic captain, skipper of Roma for 19 seasons – winning the Serie A, Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia.

Carles Puyol

Ex-Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is another one-club man who captained one of the most successful and stunning Camp Nou sides of all-time under coach Pep Guardiola.

Under Puyol's 10-year captaincy, the defender – who was the most senior of several homegrown players in the Catalan side – winning everything under the sun including three La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.

He was Barcelona's captain from August 2004 until his retirement in 2014 and appeared in 593 competitive matches for the club. He won 20 honors, including six La Liga trophies and three Champions League titles.

Patrick Vieira

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira lifted the Premier League title three times during his captaincy, and is one of the most memorable Gunners skippers of all-time.

The north Londoners have been infamously susceptible to not having a stable leader since the departures of Vieira and Henry, with the likes of successors Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny all eventually leaving the club in sour fashion.

Franz Beckenbauer

The legendary Franz Beckenbauer is regarded as not only one of the greatest soccer players of all-time, but also one of the most influential captains of the modern game. 

He won every trophy going at both club and international level playing for West Germany and most notably Bayern, characterized by his immense determination, leadership and intensity.

Such qualities were made evident during the 1970 World Cup, when Beckenbauer continued to play with his shoulder dislocated and his arm in a sling. West Germany were eventually defeated 4-3 by Italy in a match that was eventually titled 'The Game of the Century', but won the trophy four years later.