false nine

American  

[fawls nahyn] / ˈfɔls ˈnaɪn /

Or false 9

noun

false nines plural

1. Soccer. a center forward player who drops back into the midfield to receive the ball, creating space and opportunity for teammates further up the field by drawing the opposing team’s defense out of their positions.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• false nines
  plural

Example Sentences

From right wing to false nine, from the flank to the centre of the greatest club side in history.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

He should not be criticised for failing to shine as a false nine against Japan because it is a role he is unfamiliar with.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Fletcher is probably the best judge though given he has worked with him all season, deciding initially to pick him in a false nine position to give him more space.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

In possession, Florian Wirtz played as a false nine, dropping deep and creating an overload for Liverpool in midfield, with Gabriel reluctant to track him.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

However, Fletcher, who moved Gabriel into the false nine role with huge success at the start of this season with United's under-18s, says it is too soon for the youngster.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026