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Rogerio CeniBrazilian soccer goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 22.01.1973
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
- Rogerio Ceni: The Goalkeeper with a Scoring Prowess
- Breakthrough
- Legacy as Goalkeeper
- Goal-Scoring Record
- Breaking Records
- International Recognition
- Personal Life
- Retirement and Recognition
Rogerio Ceni: The Goalkeeper with a Scoring Prowess
Early CareerRogerio Ceni, a Brazilian goalkeeper, defied the norms of his profession by accumulating an astonishing number of goals throughout his career. Born in Pato Branco, Parana, he made his professional debut as a teenager with Sinop Futebol Clube. In 1990, at age 17, he joined São Paulo FC, where he spent six seasons as an underutilized backup.
Breakthrough
Ceni's breakthrough came on June 25, 1993, when he debuted as a starter and helped his team to a 4-1 victory over CD Tenerife. The following year, he became a mainstay in the starting lineup during the Copa CONMEBOL, which São Paulo FC won.
Legacy as Goalkeeper
In 1997, with the departure of legendary goalkeeper Zetti, Ceni became the undisputed number one. He led São Paulo FC to three Copa Libertadores titles, most notably in 2005 when he captained the team to their third triumph. Two weeks later, he set a club record with his 618th appearance, earning a special jersey with the number "618" on the back.
Goal-Scoring Record
Ceni's unique ability to score goals became apparent on July 25, 2005, when he converted a penalty against C.D. Guadalajara, becoming São Paulo FC's top scorer in Libertadores. Between 2005 and 2007, he tallied an incredible 47 goals while leading his club to two national championships and the FIFA Club World Cup. In the latter tournament, he was named Man of the Match in the semifinals and the final.
Breaking Records
On August 20, 2006, Ceni broke the record for most goals scored by a goalkeeper after scoring in the 63rd minute and then again in the 64th minute to lead São Paulo FC to a 2-2 draw. He became the all-time leading scoring goalkeeper, eclipsing the previous record held by José Luis Chilavert.
International Recognition
Ceni's prowess as a goalkeeper was matched by his success on the international stage. He made 16 appearances for Brazil from 1997 to 2006, winning the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, although he played in only two matches in the latter tournament.
Personal Life
Ceni's personal life stood in contrast to many of his Brazilian counterparts. Unlike the samba and pagode music popular among Brazilian footballers, he preferred rock and adopted a more conservative dress style.
Retirement and Recognition
Ceni retired in 2015, having played over 1,197 matches for São Paulo FC and scored 131 goals. His remarkable achievements have earned him the FIFA Fair Play Award, the Brazilian Bola de Prata, and the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award. Ceni's unique combination of goalkeeping prowess and scoring ability cemented him as a legend in the world of football.
