After 1,256 games and 131 goals (yes, you read that correctly), Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni has decided to call it a day at the age of 42.
The phrase ‘only in South America’ has been coined for the best part of half a century in the footballing world, referring to the flamboyant and at times completely abstract nature of certain footballers who have grown up in that region.
From superstars to complete lunatics, there is no doubting the entertainment associated with following South American football, which has seen arguably the game’s greatest ever players develop from footballing heartlands such as Argentina, Chile and Brazil, just to name a few.
Although those countries may have developed some of the most technically gifted attacking players to ever play the game, there has never been the same focus on defending, and especially goalkeeping, when watching South American football.
From the likes of Paraguay’s goal scoring goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert to Colombia’s Scorpion Kicking No.1 Rene Higuita (also known as ‘el loco’), it is fair to say that goalkeepers from the CONMEBOL region are just a little bit different to the norm.
Arguably the greatest exponent of this theory is Sao Paulo’s now retired legendary goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, who aside from being one of the region’s best ever shot-stoppers, is also the highest scoring goalkeeper of all time with over 130 goals, all for the one club.
After stepping-off the field for the final time in his career on Sunday, the former Brazilian international had played over 1200 games for his beloved Sao Paulo, his only professional club, where he has been captain since 1999.
Since debuting for the Tricolor in 1993, Ceni has played a part in three Brazilian Serie A titles (2006, 2007, 2008), Two Copa Libertadores (1993 ,2005) and one Club World Championship title (2005), where Sao Paulo pulled-off a massive upset, defeating European Champions Liverpool 1-0 in the final with Ceni later picking up the player of the tournament award for his efforts.
Ceni was also an unused squad member in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning side, while also playing against Japan in their final group game at the 2006 edition before announcing his retirement from International football.
A true icon of Brazilian football, Ceni made a name for himself as one of the world’s most talented free Kick and penalty takers, scoring his first senior goal in 1997 before establishing himself as the clubs first choice dead-ball specialist.
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Despite being hampered by injuries in his last few seasons, Ceni was a crucial member of Sao Paulo’s success at both ends of the pitch, with his best scoring run coming in 2005 where he netted 21 goals in 75 appearances over all competitions for the Tricolor, before being recalled to the Brazilian squad for the 2006 World Cup after a two-year absence from the national team.
The two-time Brazilian player of the year played 53 matches for Sao Paulo this season and scored eight goals, taking his tally to 131 in all competitions. This is the highest of any goalkeeper in professional football history and 69 goals clear of second placed Chilavert.
We leave you with a video highlighting his best moments in front of goal over the best part of the past two decades.
He will be missed.
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