Defender (association football)
association football position
A defender in association football is a player that plays in at the back of the formation. There are many positions classed as a defender, mainly:
- Left back
- Central defender
- Right back
- Sweeper
- Full back
- Wing back
The defenders are the first number when referring to formations, for example:
- 4-3-3 is the formation. This formation shows that there are four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers.
- 4-4-2 is the formation. This formation shows that there are four defenders, four midfielders and two attackers.
- 3-4-3 is the formation. This formation shows that there are three defenders, four midfielders and three attackers.
Famous defenders
changePlayer | Position | Current Club | Former Clubs | Best Ballon d'Or Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dani Alves | Right-Back | UNAM | Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, São Paulo | 19th (2011) |
Paolo Maldini | Left-Back Center-Back |
Retired | AC Milan | 3rd (1994, 2003) |
Franz Beckenbauer | Sweeper | Retired | Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos | Winner (1972, 1976) |
Carles Puyol | Center-Back | Retired | Barcelona | 11th (2010) |
Lilian Thuram | Center-Back | Retired | AS Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Barcelona | 25th (1997) |