In association football, the
goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a
goalGoal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
. The goalkeeper is the only player who is permitted to touch the ball with his hands or arms in open play (within his own penalty area). Each team is required to have a goalkeeper on the field at all times during a match. If a goalkeeper is forced to leave a match due to injury or being
sent offMisconduct in association football is any conduct by a player that is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction in accordance with Law 12 of the Laws of the Game. Misconduct may occur at any time, including when the ball is out of play, during half-time and before and after the...
, another player must occupy the post if the team has no substitute goalkeeper available and/or has used up its allotted
substitutionsIn association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
.
Goalkeeper is often abbreviated
GK in lineup cards, match reports, and TV captions. The terms
keeper and
goalie are also commonly used. This position is colloquially referred as 'custodian' or 'the man between the posts' (or 'sticks').
Goalkeepers on average have the longest playing career of any position in football, often playing into their early 40s.
History
Football, like many sports, has experienced many changes in tactics that have generated positions, as well as made positions disappear. Goalkeeper is the only position which is certain to have existed since the creation of the rules of the sport. Even in the early days of organised football, when systems were limited or non-existent and the main idea was for all field players to attack and defend, teams had a designated member to play as the goalkeeper.
The earliest account of football teams with player positions comes from
Richard MulcasterRichard Mulcaster , is known best for his headmasterships and pedagogic writings. He is often regarded as the founder of English language lexicography.-Educational achievements:...
in 1581; however, he does not specify goalkeepers. The earliest specific reference to keeping goal comes from
Cornish HurlingCornish Hurling or Hurling the Silver Ball , is an outdoor team game of Celtic origin played only in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is played with a small silver ball...
in 1602. According to Carew: "they pitch two bushes in the ground, some eight or ten foot asunder; and directly against them, ten or twelve score off, other twayne in like distance, which they term their Goals. One of these is appointed by lots, to the one side, and the other to his adverse party. There is assigned for their guard, a couple of their best stopping Hurlers". Other references to scoring goals begin in English literature in the early 16th century, for example in
John DayJohn Day was an English dramatist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods.-Life:He was born at Cawston, Norfolk, and educated at Ely. He became a sizar of Caius College, Cambridge, in 1592, but was expelled in the next year for stealing a book...
's play
The Blind Beggar of Bethnal GreenBethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
(performed circa 1600; published 1659): "I'll play a gole at
camp-ballCamping, also known as campyon, campan, or campball was a Medieval football game played in England. It appears to have been popular in Norfolk and other parts of East Anglia. Of all the traditional forms of football played in Europe, it appears to have been one of the toughest and most dangerous...
" (an extremely violent variety of football, which was popular in
East AngliaEast Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
). Similarly in a poem in 1613,
Michael DraytonMichael Drayton was an English poet who came to prominence in the Elizabethan era.-Early life:He was born at Hartshill, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. Almost nothing is known about his early life, beyond the fact that in 1580 he was in the service of Thomas Goodere of Collingham,...
refers to "when the Ball to throw, And drive it to the Gole, in squadrons forth they goe". It seems inevitable that wherever a game has evolved goals, some form of goalkeeping must also be developed.
David WedderburnDavid Wedderburn was a writer, and schoolmaster at Aberdeen Grammar School. Though his date of birth is not known, he was baptised on 2 January 1580, and was educated in Aberdeen....
refers to what has been translated from
LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
as to "keep goal" in 1633 (however, contrary to media reports in 2006 he does not refer to the noun "goalkeeper". This is important as being a goalkeeper implies a fixed position throughout a match, whereas "keeping goal" suggests a temporary, fluid position accorded to whichever player or players find themselves nearest the goal. Wedderburn provides no evidence of such a fixed position on the field. It is not clear that what he meant by a goal was the same as modern usage; his word "metum" in the original Latin means the object to mark the end of a chariot race).
Initially, goalkeepers typically played between the goalposts and had limited mobility, except when trying to save opposition shots. Throughout the years, goalkeeping has evolved, due to the changes on systems of play, to be a more active role. Goalkeeper is the only position in which you can use your hands in the game of soccer. The original Laws of the Game permitted goalkeepers to handle the ball anywhere in their half of the
pitchAn association football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association football made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, "The Field of Play".All line markings on the pitch form part of the area which they define...
. This was revised in 1912, restricting use of the hands by the goalkeeper to the penalty area and goal box.
In the mid-20th century, goalkeepers like
Amadeo CarrizoAmadeo Raúl Carrizo is a former football goalkeeper. His nickname was 'Tarzán'. Carrizo was a pioneer, helping to innovate techniques and strategies for goalkeepers....
pioneered a playing style that involved more mobility. He also helped introduce new techniques and strategies that would become a standard for the position. Carrizo was the first goalkeeper to wear gloves, the first one to leave the penalty area to defend his goal, and the first one to use goal kicks as a strategy to start counter attacks.
In 1999, the
International BoardThe International Football Association Board is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football.-Operations:...
made changes in the laws of the game that affected goalkeepers – notably the
back-pass ruleThe back-pass rule refers to two clauses within Law 12 of the Laws of the Game of association football. These clauses prohibit the goalkeeper from handling the ball when a team-mate has intentionally "kicked" the ball to him, or when handling the ball directly from a team-mate's throw-in...
, which prohibits goalkeepers from handling the ball when receiving a deliberate pass from a teammate that is made with their feet (the pass can be made with all the others parts of the body except hands). As a result, all goalkeepers were required to improve controlling the ball with their feet.
General play and technique
The goalkeeper position is the most specialised of all positions on the field. Unlike other players, goalkeepers may touch the ball with any part of their body while in their own penalty area. Outside of their penalty area, goalkeepers have the same restrictions as other field players. They are also "protected" from active interference by opponents within their own goal area .
Perhaps the most spectacular move a goalkeeper routinely performs is the extension dive. To execute this maneuver properly, they push off the ground with the foot nearest to the ball, launching themself into a horizontal position. At this point, the ball may be caught or simply pushed away. In the latter case, a good goalkeeper will attempt to ensure that the rebound cannot be taken by a player on the opposite team, although this is not always possible.
Responsibilities
The tactical responsibilities of goalkeepers include:
- To keep goal by physically blocking attempted shots with any part of their body. The keeper is permitted to play the ball anywhere on the field, but he may not handle the ball outside the penalty area.
- To take free kicks from deep into their own territory and goal kicks.
- To organise the team's defenders during defensive set pieces such as free kicks and corners. In the case of free kicks, this includes picking the numbers and the organisation of a defensive man wall. The 'wall' serves to provide a physical obstruction for the incoming ball. Occasionally, goalkeepers may opt to dispense with the wall. Some goalkeepers are also entrusted with the responsibility of picking markers while defending at set pieces.
- To pick out crosses and attempted long passes either by punching them clear or collecting them in flight.
Although goalkeepers have special privileges one of which is having the ability to touch the ball with their hands under the laws of the game, they are otherwise subject to the same rules as any other player. Due to the increasing importance of crosses and set pieces that put the ball in the air, the goalkeeper is often the tallest member of the team, and most stand over 183 cm (6 feet) tall in professional competition, with many well-known keepers standing particularly tall at over 193 cm (6 feet, 4 inches).
Goalkeepers in playmaking and attack
Goalkeepers are not required to stay in the penalty area. They may get involved in play anywhere on the pitch, and it is common for them to act as an additional defender during certain passages of the game.
BrazilThe Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
's
Rogerio CeniRogério Ceni is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He has been a member of the Brazilian Série A club São Paulo since September 7, 1990, playing more than 1,000 matches and winning 2 Copa Libertadores trophies and one Club World Championship with them...
,
ColombiaThe Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
's
René HiguitaJosé René Higuita Zapata is a former Colombian football goalkeeper nicknamed El Loco...
,
FranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's Fabian Barthez,
MexicoThe Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
's
Jorge Campos, and
ZimbabweThe Zimbabwe national football team, nicknamed The Warriors, is the national team of Zimbabwe and is controlled by the Zimbabwe Football Association. They were known as the Southern Rhodesia national football team from 1939–1964, then the Rhodesia national football team until 1980, when Rhodesia...
's
Bruce GrobbelaarBruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar...
were notable for their foot skills and their constant play outside the penalty area. Goalkeepers with a long throwing range or accurate long-distance kicks may be able to quickly create attacking positions for a team and generate goal-scoring chances from defensive situations, a tactic known as the long ball.
Some
goalkeepers have even scored goals. This most commonly occurs where a goalkeeper has rushed up to the opposite end of the pitch to give his team an attacking advantage in numbers. This rush is risky, as it leaves the goalkeeper's goal undefended. As such, it is normally only done late in a game at
set-pieceThe term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
s where the consequences of scoring far outweigh those of conceding a further goal, such as for a team trailing in a knock-out tournament. As goalkeepers are usually tall, often taller than all the outfield players, they can be successful at connecting with
headerHeader may refer to: Computers and engineering* Header , supplemental data at the beginning of a data block** E-mail header** HTTP header* Header file, a text file used in computer programming...
s.
Though this action rarely succeeds, it is regular enough to have occurred a number of times in
professionalA professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
football: goalscoring goalkeepers include
Dimitar IvankovDimitar Ivanov Ivankov is a Bulgarian football player who currently plays for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC. He plays as a goalkeeper, however he is known for his goals, especially from converting penalty kicks. Ivankov is the 3rd best goalscoring keeper in the world with 42 goals...
,
Michelangelo RampullaMichelangelo Rampulla is a former Italian football goalkeeper.-Playing career:After a short stint with Sicilian amateurs Pattese followed by three seasons at Varese, Rampulla joined Cremonese in 1993 and became a protagonist in the club's rise to the Serie A league.He is best remembered for being...
,
Peter SchmeichelPeter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
,
Mart PoomMart Poom is an Estonian former football goalkeeper. He retired after Estonia's 0–0 draw against Portugal on 10 June 2009 to focus on his job as goalkeeping coach at Arsenal and the Estonian national team, as well as other more "personal" projects....
,
Steve OgrizovicSteven "Oggy" Ogrizovic is a former English goalkeeper who achieved fame during 16 years at Coventry City...
,
Marco AmeliaMarco Amelia, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Milan. He was part of the Italian squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup.-Early career:Amelia grew up as part of the Roma youth system...
,
Andrés PalopAndrés Palop Cervera is a Spanish footballer who plays for Sevilla FC as a goalkeeper.After having languished on the bench of hometown side Valencia for most of his stay, he became a premiere player with Sevilla well into his 30's, helping it consolidate in both the domestic and European...
,
Jens LehmannJens Gerhard Lehmann is a German former football goalkeeper. He was voted UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year for the 1996–97 and 2005–06 seasons, and he has been selected for three World Cup squads. He was a member of Arsenal's Invincibles, playing every match of their famous unbeaten title winning...
,
Brad FriedelBradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
,
Massimo TaibiMassimo Taibi is a retired Italian football goalkeeper, who played for several clubs, mostly in Italy's Serie A, B, and C1.-Italy:...
,
Jimmy GlassJames "Jimmy" Glass is a former football goalkeeper. Glass is remembered for scoring the last-minute goal which kept Carlisle United in the Football League in 1999...
,
Adam FedericiAdam Jay Federici is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Football League Championship club Reading and has featured for the Australian national team.-Club career:...
, Paul Robinson,
Michael PetkovicMichael Petkovic is a former Australian football player.Petkovic last played as a goalkeeper for Melbourne Victory in the Hyundai A-League...
,
Federico VilarFederico Vilar Baudena known as El Jefe , is an Argentine-Italian association football goalkeeper playing for Mexican first division team Morelia. Vilar began his career playing for Boca Juniors in Argentina from 1993 to 2000 and Almirante Brown from 2000 to 2001...
,
Daniel AranzubiaDaniel Aranzubia Aguado is a Spanish footballer who plays for Deportivo de La Coruña in Segunda División, as a goalkeeper.-Athletic Bilbao:...
,
Chris WealeChristopher "Chris" Weale is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a goalkeeper.-Yeovil Town:...
,
Gavin WardGavin John Ward is a former professional footballer and coach who played in the position of goalkeeper from 1987 until 2011. He is currently Goalkeeping Coach at Shrewsbury Town...
and
Mark CrossleyMark Geoffrey Crossley is a former English-born Wales international football goalkeeper, who is currently employed as the Goalkeeping Coach of Football League One side Chesterfield....
.
Some goalkeepers, such as
Rogério CeniRogério Ceni is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He has been a member of the Brazilian Série A club São Paulo since September 7, 1990, playing more than 1,000 matches and winning 2 Copa Libertadores trophies and one Club World Championship with them...
and
José Luis ChilavertJosé Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner....
, may also be expert set-piece takers. These players may take their team's attacking
free kicksA direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
and even
penaltiesA penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
. Ceni, São Paulo FC's long-time custodian, has scored 100 goals in his career, more than many outfield players.
In some even rarer situations, goalkeepers have even scored goals unintentionally, when a ball kicked downfield has caught the opposing goalkeeper out of position.
Jung Sung-RyongJung Sung-Ryong is a South Korean football goalkeeper, who currently plays for the South Korean national team and Suwon Bluewings in the K-League. He is known for his quick reflexes, his ability to intercept crosses,and his very effective shot-stopping...
, Paul Robinson,
Jason MatthewsJason Matthews is an English footballer who plays for Bath City as a goalkeeper.-Career:Born in Paulton, Somerset, Matthews started playing in goal at an early age and soon won a place at Millfield's Centre of Excellence....
, Palatsi,
Andrew LonerganAndrew Michael "Andy" Lonergan is an English football goalkeeper currently playing for Leeds United. He is a former England U21 international and is also eligible to play for Republic of Ireland...
,
Dragan PantelićDragan Pantelić is a former Serbian football goalkeeper.-Football career:...
, "Neco" Martínez,
Michael PetkovićMichael Petkovic is a former Australian football player.Petkovic last played as a goalkeeper for Melbourne Victory in the Hyundai A-League...
and
Pat JenningsPatrick Anthony "Pat" Jennings OBE is a Northern Ireland former football player. He played 119 games for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper, a figure which at the time was a world record and is still a Northern Ireland record, in an international career which lasted for over 22 years...
are also examples of goalkeepers who have scored under such circumstances. One notable example came in the final of the 2003
CAFThe Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
African Champions League, in which El Ahly goalkeeper Essam El Hadary created a goal by driving an indirect free kick from near his penalty box into the post of opponent's goal; the ball then hit the back of the goalkeeper and flew into the net.
Equipment and attire
Goalkeepers must wear clothing that distinguishes them clearly from other players and match officials, as this is all that the FIFA Laws of the Game require. Some goalkeepers have received recognition for their match attire, like
Lev YashinLev Ivanovich Yashin nicknamed as "The Black Spider", was a Soviet-Russian football goalkeeper, considered by many to be the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the game. He was known for his superior athleticism in goal, imposing stature, amazing reflex saves and inventing the idea of...
of the
Soviet UnionThe Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
, who was nicknamed the "Black Spider" for his distinctive all-black outfit;
Klaus LindenbergerKlaus Lindenberger is a retired Austrian football goalkeeper and last manager of Austrian Bundesliga side LASK Linz.-Club career:...
of
AustriaThe Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, who designed his own variation of a
clownClowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
's costume; and
Jorge Campos of
MexicoThe Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
, who was popular for his colourful attire.
Most goalkeepers also wear goalkeeper gloves to improve their grip on the ball, and to protect themselves from injury. There are now gloves that have features designed to prevent injuries, such as
sprained fingersA sprain is an injury in a joint, caused by the ligament being stretched beyond its capacity. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain. In cases where either ligament or muscle tissue is torn, immobilization and surgical repair may be necessary...
. Gloves now include "fingersaves", which help prevent injuries such as jammed and sprained fingers. Fingersaves are a type of hard plastic put in the back of the finger part of the glove. Though gloves are not mandatory attire, it is uncommon for goalkeepers to opt against them due to the advantages they offer. At UEFA Euro 2004,
PortugueseThe Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
goalkeeper
RicardoRicardo Alexandre Martins Soares Pereira, OIH , simply Ricardo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Vitória de Setúbal as a goalkeeper....
famously took them off during the quarter-final penalty-shootout against
EnglandThe England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and became the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a World Cup Finals penalty shootout.
When assigning numbers to players on the team, if a
squad numberAs in other team sports, squad numbers are used in association football to identify and distinguish players on the field. Numbers were originally used to also indicate position, with starting players being assigned numbers 1-11, but most competitions and leagues now use squad numbers.-First use of...
system is not in use, the number 1 shirt is usually reserved for the goalkeeper. However, goalkeepers are not required to wear the number 1. For example,
ArgentineThe Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
Ubaldo FillolUbaldo Matildo Fillol , nicknamed el Pato , is an Argentine football coach and former goalkeeper. He took part in the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups representing the Argentine national team...
wore the numbers 5 and 7 at the
1978The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
and
1982 FIFA World CupThe 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
s, respectively. This often happens when a team has already assigned the shirt number to a goalkeeper, but brings in a new player who subsequently becomes the starter. Even in these cases, the player is usually referred to as the team's "number one". Sixteen is often a popular number for goalkeepers in
FranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and its former
AfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n colonies.
Czech RepublicThe Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
and
ChelseaChelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
goalkeeper
Petr ČechPetr Čech is a Czech footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Czech Republic as a goalkeeper. Čech previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals...
wears a head guard, after having fractured his skull in a Premier League match against
ReadingReading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, and a few goalkeepers, most notably
Miguel CaleroMiguel Ángel Calero Rodríguez is a retired Colombian football goalkeeper he has played 50 times for the Colombia national team between 1995 and 2007. He also is a Mexican citizen....
and
Chris KirklandChristopher Edmund "Chris" Kirkland is an English footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League. He also has one cap for the England national team....
, wear
baseball style capsA baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
to shield their eyes from the sun. Calero has also worn a
bandanaBandana can refer to:*Another name for a kerchief*Bandana *Bandana *Bandana, Kentucky, a small town in the United States*Y Bandana, a Welsh alternative rock band.**Y Bandana , their self-titled debut album....
while keeping goal for Club Pachuca.
Records
Goalkeepers are crucial in penalty shoot-outs. The record for most penalties saved in a shoot-out is held by
Helmuth DuckadamHelmuth Robert Duckadam is a retired Romanian footballer who played as a goalkeeper.He was dubbed "the hero of Seville" due to his heroics in the 1986 European Cup Final, won by his main club, Steaua Bucureşti...
of FC Steaua Bucureşti and
Ciaran KellyCiaran Kelly is an Irish footballer goalkeeper currently playing for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division.Kelly started his career with Ballinrobe Town before first moving to Sligo Rovers...
Sligo Rovers F.C . Duckadam defended four consecutive penalties in the European Champions' Cup Final against
FC BarcelonaFutbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, on 7 May 1986.
The quickest goal scored by a goalkeeper is
Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
's Paul Smith after 15 seconds, on 18 September 2007, when
Leicester CityLeicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
agreed to give Forest a free goal in the
Football League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
second round after the original tie was abandoned when City's
Clive ClarkeClive Richard Luke Clarke is a former Irish footballer after leaving Sunderland for health reasons. He played primarily as a left back, but also as centre back, left midfielder or centre midfielder.-Stoke City:...
collapsed at half time when Forest were up 1–0. Forest ended up losing the game 3–2.
A few goalkeepers have become notable at taking set pieces; for example,
José Luis ChilavertJosé Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner....
is the only goalkeeper to score a
hat trickHat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
(three goals in a game), doing so through
penalty kickA penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
s. He also was a
free kickA direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
-expert.
Rogério CeniRogério Ceni is a Brazilian goalkeeper. He has been a member of the Brazilian Série A club São Paulo since September 7, 1990, playing more than 1,000 matches and winning 2 Copa Libertadores trophies and one Club World Championship with them...
has scored the highest number of goals for a goalkeeper, having scored his 100th goal in official games on March 27, 2011. Ceni scored his goals through free kicks and penalty kicks.
Highest fees
The most expensive goalkeeper of all time is currently
Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
(following his
€The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
52.29 million transfer to
JuventusJuventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
from
ParmaParma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
).
| Rank |
Player |
From |
To |
Transfer Fee
(MOne million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
£ ) |
Transfer Fee
(MOne million or one thousand thousand, is the natural number following 999,999 and preceding 1,000,001. The word is derived from the early Italian millione , from mille, "thousand", plus the augmentative suffix -one.In scientific notation, it is written as or just 106...
€The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
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 Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
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Parma Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
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Juventus |
£33m |
€54.2m |
2001 |
| 2 |
 Manuel NeuerManuel Neuer is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the German national football team.-Schalke 04:Neuer signed professional terms in 2005 after progressing through every age group at his hometown club. He made his Bundesliga debut when he came on to substitute the...
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Schalke 04 |
Bayern Munchen |
£18m |
€22m |
2011 The following are the scheduled events of association football for the year 2011 throughout the world.-Men:* January 5 – 17 — 2011 Nile Basin Tournament in Egypt** ** ** ** 4th:...
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| 3 |
 David de GeaDavid de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009...
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Atletico de MadridClub Atlético de Madrid, S.A.D., commonly known as Atlético Madrid, is a Spanish football club based in Madrid who play in La Liga. Atlético have won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey on nine occasions, including a double in 1996; in Europe, they won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1962, were...
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 Manchester United |
£17m |
€21m |
2011 The following are the scheduled events of association football for the year 2011 throughout the world.-Men:* January 5 – 17 — 2011 Nile Basin Tournament in Egypt** ** ** ** 4th:...
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| 4 |
Angelo Peruzzi Angelo Peruzzi, Ufficiale OMRI is an Italian former World Cup-winning football goalkeeper, and a three-time winner of the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award....
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Internazionale |
Lazio |
£15.7m |
€17.8m |
2000 |
| 5 |
 Fernando MusleraNéstor Fernando Muslera Micol is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Galatasaray and is first-choice keeper for the Uruguayan national team.-Uruguay:...
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Lazio |
 GalatasarayGalatasaray Spor Kulübü is a Turkish sports club based in Istanbul, most notable for its football section, also known as Galatasaray S.K.. It also fields teams in Athletics, Basketball, Wheelchair basketball, Volleyball, Water polo, Swimming, Rowing, Sailing, Judo, Bridge, Equestrian, Handball,...
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£9.93m |
€11.75m |
2011 The following are the scheduled events of association football for the year 2011 throughout the world.-Men:* January 5 – 17 — 2011 Nile Basin Tournament in Egypt** ** ** ** 4th:...
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| 6 |
 Craig GordonCraig Sinclair Gordon is a Scottish footballer, currently playing as a goalkeeper for both Sunderland and the Scotland national team. He was a nominee for STV's Scotland's Greatest Ever Football Team in 2010....
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Hearts |
Sunderland Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
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£9m |
€10.2m |
2007 |
| 7 |
 Thibaut CourtoisThibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Chelsea and is currently on loan to Atlético Madrid and the Belgium national team.-Early career:...
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Racing Genk |
ChelseaChelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
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£7.8m |
€8.8m |
2011 The following are the scheduled events of association football for the year 2011 throughout the world.-Men:* January 5 – 17 — 2011 Nile Basin Tournament in Egypt** ** ** ** 4th:...
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| 8 |
 Fabien BarthezFabien Alain Barthez is a former French footballer goalkeeper who won honours with Manchester United and the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. He shares the record for the most World Cup finals clean sheets...
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 AS Monaco |
Manchester United |
£7.8m |
€8.8m |
2000 |
| 9 |
Roberto Jiménez Gago Roberto Jiménez Gago , simply Roberto, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza as a goalkeeper.-Atlético Madrid:...
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 Benfica |
Real Zaragoza Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
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£7.6m |
€8.6m |
2011 The following are the scheduled events of association football for the year 2011 throughout the world.-Men:* January 5 – 17 — 2011 Nile Basin Tournament in Egypt** ** ** ** 4th:...
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IFFHS's Century elections
The following are the top 20 goalkeepers on the IFFHS poll for The World's Best Goalkeeper of the 20th Century.
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Lev YashinLev Ivanovich Yashin nicknamed as "The Black Spider", was a Soviet-Russian football goalkeeper, considered by many to be the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the game. He was known for his superior athleticism in goal, imposing stature, amazing reflex saves and inventing the idea of...
- Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
- Dino Zoff
Dino Zoff is an Italian former football goalkeeper and is the oldest winner ever of the World Cup, which he earned as captain of the Italian team in the 1982 tournament in Spain, at the age of 40 years, 4 months and 13 days.Zoff was a goalkeeper of outstanding ability and has a place in the...
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Sepp Maier
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Ricardo ZamoraRicard Zamora i Martínez was a Spanish footballer and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for, among others, RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As an international he played for both the Catalan XI and Spain...
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José Luis ChilavertJosé Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner....
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Peter SchmeichelPeter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
- Peter Shilton
Peter Leslie Shilton OBE is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently holds the record for playing more games for England than anyone else, earning 125 caps....
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František PláničkaFrantišek Plánička was a Czech football goalkeeper and one of the most honoured players in the history of Czechoslovakian football. He played the majority of his career for Slavia Prague, during which time the club won the Czech league eight times and the Mitropa Cup once...
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Amadeo CarrizoAmadeo Raúl Carrizo is a former football goalkeeper. His nickname was 'Tarzán'. Carrizo was a pioneer, helping to innovate techniques and strategies for goalkeepers....
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Gilmar dos Santos Neves
- Ladislao Mazurkiewicz
Ladislao Mazurkiewicz Iglesias is an Uruguayan former football goalkeeper of the 1960s and 1970s. He helped the Uruguay national team to qualify to the semifinals of the 1970 World Cup, where the charrúas were stopped by the eventual champions, Brazil. He was elected the best goalkeeper of that...
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Pat JenningsPatrick Anthony "Pat" Jennings OBE is a Northern Ireland former football player. He played 119 games for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper, a figure which at the time was a world record and is still a Northern Ireland record, in an international career which lasted for over 22 years...
- Ubaldo Fillol
Ubaldo Matildo Fillol , nicknamed el Pato , is an Argentine football coach and former goalkeeper. He took part in the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups representing the Argentine national team...
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Antonio CarbajalAntonio Félix "Tota" Carbajal Rodríguez is a Mexican former football goalkeeper. He was also called "El Cinco Copas", in reference to his record of five World Cups played.-Pro career:...
- Jean-Marie Pfaff
Jean-Marie Pfaff is a Belgian former football goalkeeper.-Biography:At the age of 16, Pfaff joined K.S.K. Beveren with whom he won a Belgian champions title and a Belgian Cup . The same year, he received the Belgian Golden Shoe...
- Rinat Dasaev
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Gyula GrosicsGyula Grosics is a Hungarian former football goalkeeper who played 86 times for the Hungarian national football team and was part of the legendary Golden Team of the 1950s. He was nicknamed the Black Panther ....
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Thomas RavelliThomas Ravelli is a retired Swedish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.His 21-year professional career was almost exclusively associated with Öster and Göteborg, for whom he amassed Allsvenskan totals of 430 games....
- Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
IFFHS's World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year
The following is a list of goalkeepers selected by the IFFHS every year since 1986 as The World's Best Goalkeeper.
- 1987 – Jean-Marie Pfaff
Jean-Marie Pfaff is a Belgian former football goalkeeper.-Biography:At the age of 16, Pfaff joined K.S.K. Beveren with whom he won a Belgian champions title and a Belgian Cup . The same year, he received the Belgian Golden Shoe...
- 1988 – Rinat Dasaev
- 1989 – Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
- 1990 – Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
- 1991 – Walter Zenga
Walter Zenga is a retired Italian footballer and current manager. He is a long-time goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Internazionale. He also holds Romanian citizenship...
- 1992 – Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
- 1993 – Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
- 1994 – Michel Preud'homme
Michel Georges Jean Ghislain Preud’Homme'tönten mannen, , commonly known as Michel Preud'homme, is a Belgian football coach and retired goalkeeper. He is currently head coach of Al-Shabab Riyadh, a role he took after guiding outgoing Dutch Eredivisie champions FC Twente in the 2010–11 season...
- 1995 – José Luis Chilavert
José Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner....
- 1996 – Andreas Köpke
Andreas Köpke is a former German football goalkeeper who was in the German squad that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and was also part of the 1994 FIFA World Cup squad...
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1997 – José Luis Chilavert José Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner....
1998 – José Luis ChilavertJosé Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner....
1999 – Oliver KahnOliver Rolf Kahn is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987...
2000 – Fabien BarthezFabien Alain Barthez is a former French footballer goalkeeper who won honours with Manchester United and the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. He shares the record for the most World Cup finals clean sheets...
2001 – Oliver KahnOliver Rolf Kahn is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987...
2002 – Oliver KahnOliver Rolf Kahn is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987...
2003 – Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
2004 – Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
2005 –  Petr ČechPetr Čech is a Czech footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Czech Republic as a goalkeeper. Čech previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals...
2006 – Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
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2007 – Gianluigi BuffonGianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
2008 – Iker CasillasIker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
2009 – Iker CasillasIker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
2010 – Iker CasillasIker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
2011 - Iker CasillasIker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
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See also
External links