The Best Goalkeepers in FIFA CWC/ Intercontinental Cup History

 

Several goalkeepers have played a key role in their team’s success in the FIFA Club World Cup or its predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup.

Goalkeepers have often been overlooked in the FIFA Club World Cup or its predecessor, the Intercontinental Cup. Throughout history, only two shot stoppers have been named the man of the match in the competition. In reality, there were, as a matter of fact, more than that, especially in the Intercontinental Cup.

Here are the best goalies in the tournament’s history, judging from their form during the game plus in the shootout, should their teams have won the game through that road, instead of during the normal time. Their clinical saves and penalty saves are the decisive keys to determine their importance in the match. Surprisingly, none of them are Europeans.

Pato Abbondanzieri (2003 Intercontinental Cup)

He was Argentina’s number one between the sticks in the mid-2000s. Pato Abbondanzieri had his best years during his stints with Boca Juniors, especially the first one from 1996 to 2006. The former Rosario Central shot stopper won six league titles, five continental titles and two Intercontinental Cups in 2000 and 2003. Abbondanzieri was the key man in the latter edition.

In 2003, Boca Jr had to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s AC Milan. It was a tight encounter and rather cagey, as the Argentine side had lost their stars in their previous victory, Martín Palermo and Román Riquelme, who had made a move to Europe. They had young Carlos Tevez in the squad, but he just returned from the injury. Such led to his absence in the starting line-up.

Boca conceded first through Jon Dahl Tomasson, but they managed to equalise once Mathias Donnet found the back of the net following Dida’s error in failing to make a fine clearance. He scored at his mercy into the empty goal. Both goals were scored before the interval.

As the game went on, both traded attacks and chances, but neither was able to convert into their advantage. Pato made two crucial saves later in the game and during the extra time. The match had to go to penalties. That was where the goalie with 49 international caps thrived. He saved two penalties, one from Andrea Pirlo and another from Alessandro Costacurta. Boca won 4-2 in the shootout.

The shot stopper, who was 31 years old at that time, was actually named the man of the match. Yet, he opted to refuse it, as he only intended to celebrate the victory with the fans and teammates. Mathias Donnet, the goalscorer, eventually received the accolade.

Pato, who is currently pursuing a career in motorsports, made a switch to Europe rather late in 2006. He joined Getafe and helped them finish ninth in the first season. Abbondanzieri even won Best La Liga goalkeeper too in the 2006/07 season. The goalie who was Albiceleste’s first choice in Copa America 2004 and 2007 plus the 2006 FIFA World Cup eventually retired in 2010 after playing for Brazil’s Internacional in the 2010 FIFA CWC.

Teams	Number of games (clean sheet)	Individual awards
Rosario Central (1994-1996)	57 (?)
Boca Juniors (1996-2006; 2009-2010)	312 (116)	-Best South American goalkeeper in 2003 -Best goalkeeper in Copa Sudamericana 2005
Getafe (2006-2009)	93 (32)	Best La Liga goalkeeper 2006/07
Internacional (2010)	29 (12)
Argentina (2004-2008)	49 (22)

Mark Bosnich (1999 Intercontinental Cup)

He was one of the first Australians who shone in the Premier League. In fact, he already made three league appearances for Manchester United in his first stint in early 1990s using his student visa. Unfortunately, United did not offer him a contract extension, which forced him to return to Sydney.

Bosnich made his return to England in 1992 by joining Aston Villa, where his name rose to prominence. He began to steal the spotlight in the 1993/94 season when he started playing regurlarly and helped The Villans won EFL League Cup beating Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 3-1 in the final. He even repeated the success two years later. His top form with The Villans eventually turned United’s head to sign him again in 1999.

The former Australian international was tipped to be Peter Schmeichel’s successor following their treble winner. The Great Dane moved to Sporting Lisbon in the summer. At first, Bosnich was in-form and appeared in 35 games in all competition, including in 1999 Intercontinental Cup.

The ex goalie with only 17 international caps was the star of the game beside the MVP, Roy Keane. The Irishman was the sole goalscorer in a 1-0 win over Palmeiras while Bosnich was the guardian between the sticks to keep the clean sheet. He made 6 saves, four of them was clinical as the Brazilian sides was attempting to find the equalizer.

Sadly, he lost his place in the second season despite helping United winning EPL with 18-point margin. Bosnich was considered undisciplined in keeping himself fit for the team as well as running late to the training with unideal weight. He fell down in the pecking order in 2000 as French top shot stopper, the World Cup winner, Fabian Barthez, arrived.

Teams	Number of games (clean sheet)	Individual awards
Manchester United (1989-1991; 1999-2001)	38 (15)
Sydney United (1991-1992)	5 (?)
Aston Villa (1992 – 1999)	227 (90)
Chelsea (2001-2003)	7 (2)
Central Coast Mariner (2008)	4 (?)
Sydney Olympic (2009)	8 (?)
Australia (1993-2000)	17 (10)	-Oceania Footballer of the year in 1997 - Oceanian Goalkeeper of the Century in 1999

 

Jorge Sere (1988 Intercontinental Cup)

He was one of the underrated goalkeepers in South America. Sere was the key figure in Nacional Montevideo’s unlikely victory in 1988 Intercontinental Cup after thumping Guus Hiddink’s PSV Eindhoven 9-8 on penalties. His performance in the 120 minutes might not have been special as he conceded twice from Romario and Ronald Koeman. However, Sere made redemption in the shootout.

The former Liverpool Montevideo man made an incredibly rare record as he saved four penalties in the shootout in the official game at the top level. He was still 27 year old at that time when he denied four shots from the well-known names such as European winner, Wim Kieft, Belgian skipper, Eric Gerets, former Danish star, Soren Lerby and Barry Van Aerle.

Despite his notable form with Nacional, Sere was only a benchwarmer in Uruguay national team in two Copa America editions. He was an unused substitute when La Celeste won 1987 one and lost to Brazil in the final stage two years later. Overall, the Montevideo-born shot stopper only made four appearances in international football, all in friendly games. He never had the chance to play in FIFA World Cup too.

Sere mainly spent his career on the home soil with the stints in Nacional Montevideo as he enjoyed the most silverware, Danubio, Liverpool Montevideo, Rampla Juniors and a brief spell in Brazilian’s Coritiba in the second division. Apart from winning Intercontiental Cup, he also lifted Copa Libertadores and Copa Interamericana, Recopa Sudamericana and league trophies in 1988, 1989 and 1992 respectively.   

 

Teams	Number of games (clean sheet)	Individual awards
Danubio (1981-1987)
Nacional (1988-1995)		Best South American 11 in 1988
Coritiba (1995)
Liverpool Montevideo (1995-1997; 2000)
Rampla Juniors (1998-1999)
Uruguay (1987-1989)

 

Rugerio Ceni (2005 FIFA Club World Cup)

The current Bahia boss is Sao Paulo legend. He was the first goalkeeper who received Golden Ball awards in FIFA CWC history. Ceni was instrumental in contributing his team’s glorious 1-0 victory over Liverpool in 2005. He made three important saves, including one thunderous free kick from Steven Gerrard. At that time, he was 32 years old and in his peak form.

Throughout his career, he only played for Sao Paulo after leaving his hometown team, Sinop in 1990. From 1993 till his retirement in 2015, the goalie with 17 international caps enjoyed trophy laden years. Apart from FIFA CWC, he also helped them clinch Copa Libertadores twice, Intercontinental Cup 1993 as a back-up goalkeeper, three league titles, four regional titles, two South American Super Cups and CONMEBOL’s second tier continental cup twice.

Unfortunately, he was never the first choice in Brazil national team. Despite being part of the winning squad in 2002 FIFA World Cup, the goalkeeper who was also a prolific goal scorer from set pieces was only an unused substitute. His only appearances in the international major competitions were less than 10 minutes in the matches versus Mexico in FIFA Confederation Cup 1997 and against Japan in 2006 FIFA World Cup from the bench.

Teams	Games (Clean sheet)	Individual awards
Sinop (1990)	12 (?)
Sao Paulo (1993-2015)	898 (316)	-Best player in Copa Libertadores 2005 and Intercontinental Cup - Best player in Brazilian Serie A 2006 & 2007
Brazil (1997-2006)	16 (8)

 

Cassio (2012 FIFA Club World Cup)

He is the second goalie who was named MVP in FIFA CWC. Cassio contributed heavily in the South American’s last victory in the competition back in 2012. At that time, his team Corinthians stunned Chelsea with a narrow 1-0 win with a single goal from veteran striker, Paulo Guerrero.

Yet, the real star was Cassio. The current Cruzeiro man made at least three clinical saves from The Blues’ clear chances. His top form did frustrate Frank Lampard and Co to find the equalizer. Tite’s men finally lifted the trophy after six years. Cassio was also part of the team when they won Copa Libertadores 2012, two league titles, four regional titles and South American Super Cup 2013 before he left the club in 2024.

Despite his superb actions between the sticks, he was ironically never tipped as the first choice in the national team. Cassio only made a single appearance in 2017. Yet, he was included in Selecao’s squad in 2018 FIFA World Cup and Copa America 2019.

The former Gremio shot-stopper did have a spell in Europe with PSV and Sparta Rotterdam in 2007 to 2011 but his form did not impress the Eredivisie outfits. His contract was eventually terminated and joined Corinthians at the end of the year. In total, the 38-year old goalkeeper only played 19 games for both teams in all competition!

Teams	Games (Clean sheet)	Individual awards
Gremio (2006-2007)	3(1)
PSV Eindhoven (2007-2011)	5 (3)
Sparta Rotterdam (2008-2009)	14 (5)
Corinthians (2012-2024)	698 (292)	Best Player in FIFA CWC 2012 Best Brazilian goalkeeper (2015, 2017 and 2022) Best goalkeeper in Coppa do Brazil (2022)
Cruzeiro (2024 –now)	54 (17)
Brasil (2017)	1

 

Rudolfo Rodriguez (1980 Intercontinental

Cup)

He was Uruguay’s first choice in the early 1980s with 79 international caps. Rodriguez was at the peak of his form in 1980 as he helped La Celeste win 1980 Mundialito, an official tournament endorsed by FIFA to commemorate the 50 years anniversary of FIFA World Cup, plus also contributed in his club, Nacional Montevideo, success by clinching league title and Copa Libertadores in the same year.

The former Santos goalie was still 24 years old at that time but he was already the integral part of his team and country. One of his memorable performance was in 1980 Intercontinental Cup, the first edition held in the neutral nation, Japan, after its dark age.

Rodriguez might not have been named the MVP since at that time the best players were normally the winning goal scorer, but he put on an unforgettable display between the sticks. He made five clinical saves which frustrated Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest to break the deadlock. Nacional eventually came out as a winner with a 1-0 win over The Tricky Trees.

The Montevideo-born shot stopper had a brief spell in Europe with Sporting Lisbon in 1988/89 after playing for Santos for three years. Sadly, he failed to impress the Portuguese powerhouse as he only made 16 appearances in all competition. His team could only finished fourth in that season.

Rodriguez’s fortune in the FIFA World Cup was quite in contrast to his stints at the club level. He was part of the Uruguay squad in 1986 FIFA World Cup but forced to watch his teammates on the sideline due to his injury. He did not play a single match in Mexico 1986. In Copa America, he had clinched the title in 1983 edition after dismal campaign in 1979.

Teams	Games (Clean sheet)	Individual awards
Cerro (1974-1976)	27
Nacional (1976-1983)	236
Santos (1983-1988)	57
Sporting Lisbon (1988-1989)	16
Portuguesa (1990-1992)	25
Bahia (1992-1994)	13
Uruguay (1976-1986)	79 (17)