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 PositionDani AlvesRight-BackUNAMBarcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, São Paulo19th (2011)Paolo MaldiniLeft-BackCenter-BackRetiredAC Milan3rd (1994, 2003)Franz BeckenbauerSweeperRetiredBayern Munich, New York CosmosWinner (1972, 1976)Carles PuyolCenter-BackRetiredBarcelona11th (2010)Lilian ThuramCenter-BackRetiredAS Monaco, Parma, Juventus, Barcelona25th (1997)

Category:Football (soccer) positions