unfortunately, it's how we all value and view the game that makes defenders less important. There is so much emphasis on the act of goal scoring that many people forget all of the parts that were needed to create that goal. Goal scorers always are under the spot light so that's why they get so much love but if you're not a decent forward....everyone forgets about you and despises you.
rightly so! Look in reality and history, many would never forget Baggio, Zico, Platini ... missing PK for their country .... but hardly anyone would ever recall a DF who made an own goal (much less big deal), or who let a striker passed to score easy goal .... A clear example is that I bet not many recalled SOME FACT at WC: - Many would remember a "fat Ronaldo" had first 2 bad games AT wc06 - but not many would ever noticed (so they are all ignored), that R. Carlos was so busy to lace his boot during Zidane's frrekick (so that Zidane just passed the ball and Henry simply run passed Carlos and volley it in) Brazil lost in that single goal to France at QF, wc06 Or at WC02: - many would remember Ronaldinho "fluke FK" (so they called) that had sent England home at WC. - however not many would remember it was Lucio who handed the ball to Owen (inside box) so he opened a score for england in 1st half!