Legend retires: Ceni hangs up gloves and goal-scoring boots

Brazilian holds record for most goals by any keeper

SAO PAULO: Rogerio Ceni, the highest-scoring goalkeeper in history, charmed the world with his golden boots, but it is his magical gloves that will be most missed at the club where he spent his career, Brazil’s Sao Paulo.

Ceni, who was Sao Paulo’s go-to man for free-kicks and penalties, scored 131 goals in his 25-year professional career — far more than any other keeper.



The 42-year-old Brazilian staved off retirement as long as he could, but finally said goodbye to football on Sunday after a match in which he was unable to play due to injury.

He has played 1,237 matches since then, setting a world record for appearances for a single team.



He captained the club for 16 years, winning 26 titles — including a FIFA Club World Cup, two Libertadores Cups and three Brazilian championships.

His goal tally — 69 penalties, 61 free kicks and one ordinary score — make him the 10th highest-scoring player in Sao Paulo history.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2015.

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