Football Positions Ranked in Terms of Popularity
Football is a popular sport that has a lot of fans. It’s a team sport with 11 players, and each has a crucial role in the game. However, just like any other team sport or group, certain positions are more popular than the others. Although some fans have other opinions about what position is more popular, there are some common views as to their popularity.
If you’re a new football fan excited to collect as many retro football shirts as possible, you should first be aware of which football position you should look out for. In this article, we’ll give one of the many rankings as to the popularity of football positions.
1. Striker
The striker catches many fans’ attention, which is why some of the popular names, such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are known for being some of the superstars of football. And usually, when the team wins, the striker is the one being commended, especially since they’re commonly the one who scores.
Even though football has evolved, the striker is still one of the positions that fans are looking after. Besides, with the duration of a game, and you often see the striker having the ball, there’s no doubt why you’ll cheer for them.
2. Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper has the most unique position of all the players, making them popular. Aside from guarding the goal, and receiving the hardest kicks ever, they are somewhat seen as the leader of the group.
Besides, it’s easy to identify whether a goalkeeper is fast enough to catch the ball all the time since they’re seen from afar. In some cases, goalkeepers or goalies are seen as less popular, but it must be because of the role, which is why there are still many fans who value this position more than others.
3. Left and Right Wingers
The left and right wingers are viewed as the positions that assist the defence. In addition, they take shots inside and deliver crosses. These positions require speed, agility, and skills. And most of the time, they’re also expected to score goals.
At times, they also create scoring opportunities for their other team members, especially when they’re defending. However, if possible, they push through the goal.
4. Attacking Midfielder
When it comes to the offence, the attacking midfielder is the responsible position. In addition, they assist, push goals, and create strategies for a successful offence-defence opportunity. This role also requires speed, as they can create an open space just by running so fast. At the same time, they can also pass the ball to another teammate successfully.
5. Central Midfielder
Although the central midfielder is rarely in the spotlight, the position is still essential to the team. The central midfielder connects and balances the attacking and defending of the team. This is also the reason why it’s at the middle of the rank.
So, if ever you’re planning on being a football player, this might be an ideal position, as there’s not much pressure but there’s also a lot of things you can do to contribute to the success of the team.
6. Left and Right Centre Backs
The centre-backs are known for being responsible positions to defending and preventing the other team from scoring. Although these positions aren’t as popular as the attackers, they still get recognition every time they prevent the opponent from being near the goal or score. In essence, the left and right centre-backs are as essential as any other position in the team. Without them, it’ll be easier for the opponent to reach the goal.
7. Left and Right Outside Backs
The left and outer backs are positioned outside the penalty box and are expected to support the right left and right centre backs. They’re required to think quickly and have decent stamina. Imagine supporting a team member while defending against the opponent, wouldn’t you be tired of thinking and moving at the same time? Well, for a professional football player, it’s something they often do while on the field.
8. Defensive Midfielder
The defensive midfielder may not be getting as much attention as the other positions, but its value is just the same as the others. At the same time, in the past decade, the defensive midfielder is gradually been recognised compared to when football just started to become popular worldwide.
This position requires defence, creativity, and being able to protect the backline. Some even say the defence midfielder is the heart of the team.
Final Thoughts
Although there are football team positions that are more popular than the others, every position is still important. Besides, it’s most likely that fans may base their opinion on the player they’re admiring. So, as a new football fan, you should do your research first before collecting merch and retro football shirts.
If you want to share what football position strikes you the most, don’t hesitate to comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aliana Baraquio is a web content writer working for Retro Football Kits, an international shop that offers a huge selection of retro football shirts and match-worn classic football shirts from the 70s to the 00s. As a writer, she is passionate about providing good quality articles that will help readers in making the right choice.