In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposition from scoring.
Centre-back John Terry (right) closely marks centre-forward Didier Drogba.
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.
Paolo Maldini marking a player during a friendly match
Franco Baresi
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Franco Baresi was an Italian football player and manager. He mainly played as a central defender, and spent his entire 20-year career with Serie A club AC Milan, captaining the club for 15 seasons. Wi
Defender (association football)
…plays with their passing after winning back the ball. Other defenders who have been described as sweepers include Bobby Moore, Daniel Passarella, Franco Baresi, Ronald Koeman, Fernando Hierro, Matthias Sammer, and Aldair, due to their ball skills, vision, and long passing ability. Though it is rarely used in…
Baresi with Milan in 1979
AC Milan jersey of Baresi
Baresi's Italy jersey (6) next to Paolo Maldini's jersey at the San Siro museum, September 2018
Baresi in 2012