.svg)
April 14 is a day to celebrate and recognize the significant role of goalkeepers around the world! International Goalkeeper Day was created in 2019 to honor these incredible athletes who have dedicated their lives to making spectacular saves and helping lead their teams to victory. There's no better way to celebrate this day than by watching some of your favorite goalkeepers in action, so why not pull up a seat and enjoy the show? So get ready to cheer on all of the amazing goalkeepers out there – it's sure to be an unforgettable day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1871</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Goalkeeper Position Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The London Football Association first established the position of "goalkeeper" in its formalized rules of soccer.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1936</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Daskalov’s Historic Debut</div><div class='timeline-text'>Bulgarian Borislav Daskalov made history as the first goalkeeper to save a penalty on a FIFA World Cup match.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1963</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lev Yashin Wins Ballon d'Or</div><div class='timeline-text'>Soviet Goalkeeper Lev Yashin becomes the first and only goalkeeper in history to win the Ballon d'Or.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Backpass Rule Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>FIFA introduced the backpass rule, changing the dynamics of the goalkeeper's role, forcing them to develop better footwork skills.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First International Goalkeeper Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>International Goalkeeper Day was established to celebrate goalkeepers worldwide, recognising their hard work, dedication, and vital role in soccer.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a goalkeeper highlight reel</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Watch some of the best saves from the greatest keepers in the world. Make sure to watch some of the legendary goalkeepers like Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffon, and Iker Casillas.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play as a goalkeeper</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab some friends and play a friendly game of soccer, but this time try out being a goalkeeper. It'll be a challenge to make those saves but it'll also be fun!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a goalkeeper tournament</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends to participate in a goalkeeper tournament. Challenge them to make the most saves in two minutes and the winner gets bragging rights.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn some goalkeeper tips</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to check out some instructional videos and articles about goalkeeping. There are plenty of resources online to help you learn the basics of being a goalkeeper.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support your local goalkeeper club</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out your local soccer clubs and see if they have any goalkeeping teams or clinics. If they do, show your support by attending their games or signing up for their clinics.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Goalkeepers are courageous</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The bravery of goalkeeper is unparalleled, as they face hundreds of shots and put themselves in the line of fire all for the sake of their team. Whether it's diving to save a shot or blocking a penalty kick, a goalkeeper must show incredible courage in order to keep their team in the game!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Goalkeepers have an eye for detail</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Good goalkeepers don't just rely on luck and reflexes - they also need keen observation skills. They must be able to recognize patterns in play, anticipate opponents' moves, and anticipate where their opponent will shoot. With such sharp eyes and quick thinking, goalkeepers make great tactical decision makers on the field!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Goalkeepers are role models</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Goalkeepers set an example for younger generations with their determination and hard work. As defenders of the goal, they are living proof that practice makes perfect and that dreams can become reality when you persevere. On International Goalkeeper Day, we celebrate these inspiring athletes who show us all what it means to be a leader and never give up!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The first recorded goalkeeper was an Irish man</h3><p class='facts-content'>William ‘Dick' Redmond, who was born in Dublin Ireland in 1863, was the first recorded goalkeeper in football and the first successfully organized football team, the Sheffield FC, also included a goalkeeper.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Goal keepers are not always the tallest players</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although goalkeeps are often tall to reach the highest shots, many great goalkeepers are relatively short compared to other players in the team, including Thibaut Courtois (187 cm) and Hugo Lloris (192 cm).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Peter Schmeichel is the most successful goalkeeper ever</h3><p class='facts-content'>Peter Schmeichel, a legendary Danish goalkeeper, won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the Champions League during his career. He also holds the record for most clean sheets in the Premier League with 169.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Goalkeeprs wear gloves to improve grip and protect their hands</h3><p class='facts-content'>Goalkeeper gloves are designed to improve grip, cushion impacts, and protect their hands from coming into contact with the ball without rebounding it. In addition, they also serve an important psychological factor, rather than a protective one, by instilling confidence.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Modern goalkeepers must perform a variety of tasks</h3><p class='facts-content'>Modern goalkeepers are more like an extra outfield player, as they must be able to pass the ball accurately and take part in defensive plays and offensive attacks by striking the ball out of the penalty area. </p></div></div>
International Goalkeeper Day is celebrated on April 14 every year. In 2024, International Goalkeeper Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Apr 14
Friday
2024
Apr 14
Sunday
2025
Apr 14
Monday
2026
Apr 14
Tuesday
2027
Apr 14
Wednesday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
