General
false nine
What does false nine mean?
A striker who withdraws from the front line into midfield to drag defenders out of position and create space.
"With no natural striker, he played Messi as a false nine."
Origin
Tactical term; the number 9 shirt is the classic striker, so a deep-lying one is 'false'.
Frequently asked questions
What is a false nine in football?
It is a centre-forward who drops deep from the front line into midfield to drag defenders out of position and create space for teammates.
Why is it called a false nine?
The number 9 shirt is worn by a classic centre-forward, so a striker who plays deep and unconventionally is a 'false' nine.
Who famously played as a false nine?
Lionel Messi was deployed as a false nine to great effect, most notably under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
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