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

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

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)