Messi The G.O.A.T official.

Ballon D'Or generally awarded to goal-scoring forwards or outstanding midfield players.
Golden Glove awarded to goalkeepers.
What award can defenders win?

comment by goadocwatson (U1016)
posted 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
Ballon D'Or generally awarded to goal-scoring forwards or outstanding midfield players.
Golden Glove awarded to goalkeepers.
What award can defenders win?
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Ask Fabio Cannavaro

comment by goadocwatson (U1016)
posted 3 hours, 54 minutes ago
Ballon D'Or generally awarded to goal-scoring forwards or outstanding midfield players.
Golden Glove awarded to goalkeepers.
What award can defenders win?
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Most pro defenders are only put in defence in the first place because they're not good enough to play further up the pitch.

Football is a low-scoring sport for a reason. It's much harder to put the ball in the opposition net than keep it out of your own. Attacking players normally get more recognition because their job is that much harder.

Totally disagree with that last comment. Most forwards get spoon-fed the ball. Defenders have to win the ball from the opposition and read the game better than the forwards. A striker can have 10 chances and miss 9 of them but if scores 1 he is a hero. If a defender misses one tackle out of 10 and it leads to a goal he gets slated.
"Building a team" is an appropriate term. You need a strong foundation. The defence. Then the next level at midfield must be sound enough to support the pretty decorations you put at the top.
All of the great teams have had a great defence that has allowed the midfield and forward players to do their job.