Defender (association football)

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

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)


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