In Soccer scoreboards news, we look at the goalkeeping position and ask, who is the best? Goalkeepers have a very important position in the game of soccer. Much responsibility is put on their shoulders for preventing the opposition team from scoring any goals. Being the only players allowed use the hand they are often responsible for beginning team attacks and organizing the defense. Here we look at the top 5 goalies who have every played.
Number 5: The German Oliver Kahn. He started his career with Karlsruher SC. His team played impressively until the semifinals of the German cup after the soccer scoreboards showed that they got knocked out. This outstanding performance moved him to the giants Bayern Munich with a record goalkeeper fee at that time. He represented his national team from 1994-2006. Germany played an outstanding World Cup in 2002 but unfortunately lost the Final. Oliver Kahn won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball for his amazing performance as a goalkeeper. He retired in 2008.
Number 4: The Dutchman Edwin Van der Sar. He started off his career with Ajax at the age of 20 in 1990. Since then he has played for the Italian giants-Juventus and then for the English club, Fulham. Currently he is playing for Manchester United. He won the best European Goalkeeper in 1995 and 2009. He is 38 now and is still playing. Some people argue that he is still playing his best soccer, but it is rumored that this season will be his last.
Number 3: The Italian, Walter Zenga. He was born in 1969 and started playing soccer in 1978 with lower league Italian Clubs. In 1984 everybody started to see what a great player he was. In the 1984 LA Olympics, he helped the Italian soccer team finish fourth. In the 1990 World Cup hosted by Italy, he led his team to a third place finish. He retired in 1999 and is now a manager.
Number 2: The Paraguayan Jose Luis Chilavert. He played as a goalkeeper but was also known as a free kick and penalty specialist. He scored 69 goals, many of them being crucial and match winning. He is the only goalkeeper who has a record of scoring a hat-trick. He is known as the most charismatic of goalkeepers. Born in 1965 and retired in 2004, Jose had something special that other goalkeepers did not have. As well as goal scoring skills, he had great goalkeeping skills which is why he is at number 2.
Number 1: The Great Dane, Peter Schmeichel. Born in 1963, he is known as the most successful goalkeeper of all times. He had an intimidating physique as he was 6 ft 4 inches tall. He wore XXXL size shirts, which were made especially for him. He won awards for his goalkeeping skills on countless occasions. He has been inducted in the English Football Hall of fame and is one of the greatest living footballers.
For more information on Peter Schmeichel, go to:
en.wikipedia.org