Rogerio Ceni hits 100 and XI Goalscoring Goalkeepers

At the weekend São Paulo’s Rogério Ceni scored the 100th goal of his career, a typically well-placed free-kick from 20 yards. An impressive feat for most players let alone a goalkeeper, the 38-year-old is now officially recognized as the highest scoring stopper in the history of the game. Some may say that he has had the advantage of taking free-kicks and penalties for his club, but he still has to score them, a task which should not be overlooked (just ask Martin Palermo, who missed a hat-trick on penalties for Argentina in 1999).

So, in honour of the brilliant Brazilian, Sportsvibe salute our favourite goal-getting goalkeepers, with a starting XI which could convert more chances than Emile Heskey on an autumn evening in Munich.

1. Peter Schmeichel

Everyone’s favourite Dane, Schmeichel popped up on a couple of occasions with important goals, most notably his header for Manchester United against Rotor Volgograd in a 1995 UEFA Cup match. Despite the big man’s efforts, it was a match that saw United exit the competition on the away goals rule. Schmeichel’s gigantic 6ft 4in frame was a lot to deal with in the area and his physical threat was probably the reason for him powering past the Rotor defenders with this bullet of a header. Enjoy.

2. Paul Robinson

Before he was inflicted with the England goalkeeping curse and prior to his disappearance from the international scene, Blackburn’s Paul Robinson was a well-respected stopper. On top of that he was quite handy at scoring goals, albeit twice in his career thus far. Nevertheless, whether it be with his bonce when playing for Leeds or with his mammoth of a right peg, Robbo has won a place in our hearts.

Although he now labours in the lower reaches of the Premier League, he will always be remember for lobbing Ben Foster from his own 18-yard box.

3. Hans-Jörg Butt

We’re not a huge fan of stereotypes here at Sportsvibe, but sometimes they ring frightfully true. For example, the South African cricket team are sports biggest chokers and Brits are rubbish at tennis. But when it comes to football, Germans are the most efficient penalty takers ever. EVER. Even their goalkeepers can take penalties.

Take Hans-Jörg Butt for instance. The German stopper has netted nearly 30 top-flight goals in his career, with nearly every-single one a penalty. Check out his metronomic penalty-taking in this video. Simply mesmerising.

4. Ricardo

Speaking of penalty taking goalkeepers, who can ignore the man who knocked England out of Euro 2004, the flamboyant Ricardo. Not to be confused with the fella who briefly appeared for Manchester United, the Portugeezer hit possibly the finest penalty ever by a goalkeeper, nestling in the bottom corner, after first saving England’s deciding kick without the use of gloves. How maverick.

5. Jose Luis Chilavert

If you’re going to talk mavericks, perhaps the biggest maverick to pull on a goalkeeper jersey is, was and forever will be Jose Luis Chilavert. Not content with pushing photographers and joking around with ball-boys, the pompous Paraguayan dragged his country to the World Cup in 1998 and was quite handy at a set piece or two.

Perhaps his finest effort on goal was this belter. In true Chilavert fashion he took hold of the moment by the scruff of the neck and reaped the dividends.

6. Rene Higuita

Continuing with the theme of fiery Latino stoppers, no XI would be complete without the inclusion of Diana Ross look-a-like Rene Higuita. Famed (in this country anyway) for THAT save against England for Columbia, Rene was also pretty handy down the other end of the pitch. Just check out the dip on this free-kick.

8. Dani Aranzubia

Fast-forward over a decade later and we have another goalkeeper scoring for a relegation threatened side. Dani Aranzubia, Deportivo la Coruna’s long-suffering man between the sticks popped up in his side’s bottom of the league clash with Almeria to score a 95th minute winner. Aranzubia afterwards said he just did what his team-mates do, which is a bit of a tall-tale, as Depor are the lowest scorers in the league with a tame 23 goals this season.

9. Brad Friedel

It’s always a pleasant surprise when a goalkeeper scores from open play, but even more amusing when said goalkeeper doesn’t know how to celebrate. For this reason we include the grand old duke Brad Friedel, who’s goal for Blackburn against Charlton was as much a surprise to himself as it was to us. Check out the finish there, even managing to nutmeg his own striker.

10. Dimitar Ivankov

Imagine this guy as part of a front two, the third highest-scoring goalkeeper of all-time, Bursaspor’s Dimitar Ivankov. The bullish Bulgarian has scored 42 goals in a career which could have taken an even great twist after he was linked with a loan move to Millwall as a back-up striker. Just imagine that!

Check out one of his many penalties, this one for Bursapor last season (apologies for the poor quality)

11. Rogério Ceni

And to finish, the reason we are all here in the first place. The man, the myth, the legend. Ladies and Gentlemen, the best of Rogério Ceni.

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