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
Fabio Cannavaro is a former Italian defender, who played for Juventus.

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

change
Player 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)


  NODES
Association 5
Note 1