Defender (association football)

Fabio Cannavaro, an Italian defender, who retired and played for Juventus

A defender in football is a player, who plays in at the back of the formation. There are many positions classed as a defender, mainly:

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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England women's captain Leah Williamson (left) defends for Arsenal.
Terry vs Drogba
The common 4–4–2 formation uses two centre-backs.
The 5–3–2 formation with a sweeper
Edwin van der Sar, pictured playing for Manchester United during the 2010–11 season, is considered to be one of the pioneers of the sweeper-keeper role.
WM formation of the 1920s showing three fullbacks, all in fairly central positions
Paolo Maldini marking a player during a friendly match.
Wing-back Caitlin Foord (right, wearing no. 9) in action with Australia against China at the 2017 Algarve Cup.