Edwin van der Sar is one of the most popular footballers, the legend of European football and the Dutch national team. He was born on October 29, 1970, and this player is indeed one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the world. In 2011, at the age of 41, he completed a club career. This football player has a very rich and exciting biography, and it is definitely worth talking about.
Carier start
Van der Sar began playing in the clubs of his hometown. In these teams, he was spotted by Louis van Gal, as a result of which he was invited to Ajax. Naturally, the young goalkeeper at that time agreed to this advantageous offer. So he became one of the most valuable players of the second composition. Together with the Dutch team, he won three national Cups and four championships, as well as the UEFA Cup in 1992. And also the most important club tournament. That is the Champions League (in 1995). Then he was recognized as the best goalkeeper in all of Europe. And van der Sar broke the “dry” Champions League record. As part of the Dutch “Ajax” football player spent 226 matches and scored even one goal from the penalty spot. In general, these nine years have been quite fruitful. But this, as it turned out, was only the beginning.
Career at Juventus and Fulham
In 1999, van der Sar accepted another advantageous offer - this time from the Turin Juventus. As part of this club, he entered the field 66 times. But then, as you might guess, the great Gianluigi Buffon took his place, who to this day defends the honor of the “old Signora”. Interestingly, goalkeeper van der Sar became the first goalkeeper of non-Italian origin in the history of the Turin team.
Then he was invited to Fulham. The Dutchman did not agree with the role of the reserve goalkeeper in the “Juventus”, so he decided to move to England. An amount of approximately 7,100,000 euros was paid for him. For his new team, the Dutchman played 154 matches. Altogether four years. Then in his life came another important career stage.
"Manchester United"
“Red Devils” outbid the goalkeeper for an amount that was not disclosed. But the British were satisfied with the acquisition. Van der Sar, whose biography is really impressive, was named the best goalkeeper of the team. So said Sir Alex Ferguson himself - the head coach. And Edwin lived up to expectations. So, for example, one of the most striking and memorable matches was the game against Manchester City. Then Edwin managed to keep the gate absolutely “dry”. That game ended in favor of United, only with a minimum score of 1: 0. As a result of that season, van der Sar was included in the PFA team of the year. And after a couple of months he was recognized as the hero of the match. It was a game held as part of the English Super Cup, and Manchester United won it - not without the help of the goalkeeper. Edwin repelled three direct shots from London footballers, all from the penalty spot.
There is one factor that helped a good goalkeeper such as van der Sar to do excellent seeding. Growth is what we are talking about. He does not reach just 3 centimeters to two meters. High, agile, instantly responsive, attentive - these qualities helped Edwin become a truly outstanding goalkeeper.
Career Team
This goalkeeper was included in the Dutch national team at the 1994 World Cup as a reserve (Ed de Guy was the main one at that time), but for the first time in this composition he entered the field only a year later. And from that moment, Edwin was the first number of the team in all subsequent championships, both European and world.
At the European Championships, held in 2000, he did not miss a single goal. Only when he was replaced by Sander Westerfeld, did the national team receive a goal from their rivals. In general, the total “dry” series, designed by the great Dutchman, is 594 minutes. And this is the record of all European championships. In 2006, he beat another indicator. At that World Cup, he left behind a Frank de Boer record for the number of games for the national team.
True, in 2008 he said that after the European Championship he would immediately hang gloves on a nail. And so it happened. However, when in the qualifying World Cup 2010 the main goalkeeper of the national team was injured, he was summoned to the team. Edwin could not refuse and went on the field twice, without missing a single goal.
Interesting facts and achievements
It is worth noting that Edwin played in a modern manner. Often went beyond the gates (I immediately recall the best goalkeeper of our time - Manuel Neuer) and loved to play in the position of the last defender. It’s hard not to admit that he played great with his feet.
Van der Sarah has a wife, Annemarie van Kesteren, with whom he married in 2006, and two children - daughter Lynn and son Joey.
And he just has an incredibly huge amount of achievements that are impossible to list. 14 trophies with Ajax, Intertoto Cup with Juventus and second with Fulham, 11 titles with Manchester United, fourth place at the 1998 World Cup and bronze at the European and 2000 Championships. And these are just team achievements. “Golden Glove”, a special PFA award for services to football, a seven-time holder of the status of the best goalkeeper and, finally, the oldest player in the Champions League final in history. Van der Sar is a really great footballer. And it is proven.