Jerzy Dudek - the greatest Polish goalkeeper

Today's Polish goalkeepers are not world celebrities. Yes, of course, they have a fairly high level, however, they do not go to any comparison with a goalkeeper like Jerzy Dudek. This Polish goalkeeper became known to the whole world and played for the strongest clubs in Europe. Now he is 43 years old and he completed his career, but remember it will be a long time. Jerzy Dudek was once one of the strongest goalkeepers in the world.

Carier start

However, Jerzy Dudek did not immediately become a world celebrity. At the age of 18 he signed a professional contract with the Polish club "Tsontsordia", which was practically unknown to anyone, and even in Poland he did not have too much fame. There Dudek performed for a long time: for four years, during which he became the main goalkeeper and played 119 matches. A more promising goalkeeper at the age of 22 noticed a more serious Polish club "Sokul", which he signed, but for a very short time - only for six months. Jerzy Dudek was the goalkeeper who was expected to have a much more exciting destiny.

Six months in the "Sokule"

Jerzy Dudek, whose biography is just beginning to unfold, did not stay in Sokula. He played there only fifteen matches, after which he was spotted by one of the strongest Dutch clubs - Feyenoordom. It is here that the goalkeeper's ascent begins, which was remembered not only by his contemporaries, but also by fans of football of all generations.

New house

We can say that it was Feyenoord that became the second house for Dudek, the club that was closest to his heart. The goalkeeper spent six years there, having played 139 matches. In the first season, when he only came to the club, he was not trusted with the place at the base, he had to compete with more experienced goalkeepers, so Dudek played only three matches. But then in each subsequent season he went out absolutely in all matches of "Feyenoord". Jerzy Dudek, whose statistics have already amazed, only at the age of 28 decided that he wants to try something else. If he was a field player, this could be a problem, as they often finish their careers in 32-33, but goalkeepers can safely play and up to 38-40 years. So, having won the Feyenoord Championship with the Dutch Championship and the Johann Cruyff Cup in 1999, Dudek decided to change club registration - for seven and a half million euros he moved to London "Liverpool".

Success in Liverpool

Like in Feyenoord, Liverpool Dudek literally found his calling again. He spent his next six years here until he was 34 years old. He played a little less matches - 127, but unlike the Dutch club, from which the goalkeeper went "on the rise" of his own volition, Dudek's services were simply not needed here. The last two years he spent on the bench, leaving on the field a couple of times a season. That's why he decided to change the situation before retiring. It is worth noting that with the "Liverpool" Polish goalkeeper achieved the greatest success - in 2003 he became the owner of the League Cup, and in 2005 the dream of every football player came true. Dudek, being the club's main goalkeeper, won the Champions League Cup, and then the UEFA Super Cup. In the local arena, he still managed to win the FA Cup, although he did not already play at the base. In the summer of 2007, the 34-year-old goalkeeper moved to the club, which all players dream of - FC Real Madrid.

Dream on the bench

Experienced goalkeeper moved to FC Real Madrid, having fulfilled his dream, and became one of the key figures there. However, unfortunately, not on the football field. In "Real" in those days undividedly dominated the gate Iker Casillas, so for four years, held in the royal club, Dudek appeared on the field only 15 times. However, he was still a kind of talisman, mentor, patron, who influenced all players only in a positive way.

National team appearances

In the national team of Poland, Jerzy Dudek played a very important role - he spent sixty matches for his native team, at the same time began his performances in 1998, at the height of his stay at Feyenoord, and finished only in 2013. Of course, he did not travel to major tournaments for recent years, but he participated both in friendly and in qualifying games, thereby supporting young players and demonstrating to everyone that his days are far from in the past and he is capable of many more in football issues .