Soccer, more known as football around the world, is a game that inlcudes getting the ball into the other teams net. Invented in the mid-19th century, it is still played to this day and is the most popular sport with more than 4 billion followers. In this game, there are 4 positions: one goalie, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders and 4 forwards.
Every soccer player needs to have the following to play on the field:
Cleats, Shinguards, Socks, and Their teams jersey
A goalkeeper, or goalie, is the player defending their goal and stopping the ball from going in the net. A goalie is positioned in the goal and goalie box. A goalie is the only player on the field who can use their hands to stop the ball but only if it is inside the goalie box. A goalie is required to wear a distinct colored jersey, that is different from their teams color so the referee can easily tell them apart. They can also wear goalie gloves while on the field to enhance their grip. Some popular goalies include: Gianluigi Buffon (Paris Saint-Germain), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona and German national team), and David de Gea (Manchester United, Spain national team)
A defender’s main job is to prevent the other team from getting a goal. They are positioned in front of the goalie. But, unlike a goalie, a defender can’t use their hands to stop their hands. A defender doesn't have any special equipment like the goalie either. Some popular defenders include: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain national team) and Gerard Pique (Barcelona).
A midfielder plays both defense and offense when needed. They are positioned between the defensive line and the offensive line. Being a middie means having to run a lot because you are always needed in defense or offense and covering the most ground, unlike any other position. A few well-known midfielders include David Beckham (Manchester United), Dele Alli (England national team, Tottenham Hotspur), and Jesse Lingard (England national team, Manchester United)
A forward, or a striker, is a player that is expected to score goals. They are placed furthest away from their own goal and closest to the opponent's goal. They generally don’t get too close to their own goal. There are a few types of forwards. They include a centre forward, a striker and a wing. The wings are always on the outside of the field, hence the name wingers. A centre forward is in the centre of the field. A few prominent forwards include: Neymar Jr. , Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo