Michel Preud’Homme: One of the best goalkeepers in history

Last update May 22, 2024 by colgadosporelfutbol

Michel Preud’Homme, He was one of those goalkeepers that the kids of the years 80 Y 90 remember. And the Belgian, He was one of the best goalkeepers in the world and even at some point, it was the best. born on 24 of January of 1959 in Ougrée, Belgium, He had a long career that led him to retire at 40 years in 1999.

Do you remember him already?? Did you sign him in the Pc Football? Do you remember him at the USA World Cup? 1994 where he was the best goalkeeper of the tournament? Whether the answer is yes or no, continue reading. Let's remember one of the best goalkeepers in the history of football.

The career of one of the best goalkeepers in history

Since its beginnings at Standard Liège, where he debuted in 1977, Preud'homme showed exceptional talent between the three sticks. During his time at Standard, He helped the team win two Belgian league titles and a Belgian Cup, quickly establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.

In 1986, He moved to KV Mechelen where he continued to accumulate successes. It was there that Preud'homme reached the top of European football, leading that Mechelen Cup Winners' Cup champion 1988 and the European Super Cup that same year. His ability to make spectacular saves and his leadership on the field made him an idol for fans..

The last stage of his playing career was spent at Benfica in Portugal., since 1994 until retirement in 1999. Even in his last years as a professional, Preud’Homme He continued to demonstrate his quality and was recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

After hanging up the gloves, He began a career related to football both in the offices as a sports director and on the bench as a coach, leading him to direct teams such as Standard de Liege., Twente and Bruges among others.

Michel Preud'Homme's career with the Belgian national team

Preud'homme made his international debut in 1979, starting a career that would lead him to compete in a total of 58 matches with his country's shirt. During his time with the national team, participated in several important tournaments, although for a very shady fact, He did not reach his international relevance until his thirties.. And it is that he World Italy 1990, where he played a key role in leading the team to the round of 16, It was his first big tournament with Belgium.

The climax of his international career came in World US 1994. Belgium reached the round of 16 again, but it was Preud'homme who stole the show. His performances between the three sticks were simply spectacular, and his ability to make impossible saves earned him the Trofeo Lev Yashin al best goalkeeper of the USA World Cup 94. This recognition, already 35 years and 17 years of career, cemented his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the time.

A blot on his career

As we have said before, his first big tournament with Belgium came with 31 years. And this was due to a big blot in his career. Although his international career was not bad at all, The truth is that it could have been much better.

His defense of the Belgian goal, could have been much more prominent had it not been for the fact that at the beginning of the 1970s 90 was involved in a bribery and match buying scandal. The sanction he received, deprived him of going to both the European Championship 1984 like the World Cup in Mexico 86 where Belgium reached the semi-finals at the expense of Spain.

This made, that he could not debut with the Belgian team in a big event until World Italy 1990 in which he replaced another Belgian goalkeeping legend, Jean Marie Plaff. Michael Preud'Homme never wanted to remember that episode that froze his career until he was in his thirties, which is when he took flight.. a shame, although this does not mean he stops being one of the best goalkeepers in history.