A roundup of the top stories from the goalkeeping world between the 23rd and 30th of November, 2024.
As another action-packed weekend of football comes to a close, let’s reflect on some of the biggest stories from this weekend involving goalkeepers from up and down the country and all around the world. From goalkeeping heroics to calamitous own goals, buckle up, this is going to be a good one!
Spurs suffer major setback as Vicario undergoes ankle surgery
It was all positives for Tottenham Hotspur after their 4-0 annihilation of Man City at the Etihad last weekend. However, smiles were quickly wiped from the faces from many associated with the club, as it was confirmed by both Spurs and goalkeeper Vicario on social media that the Italian had surgery on his ankle on Sunday. Vicario later revealed that he played approximately sixty of the ninety minutes with a broken ankle.
It was a message which was lauded by Spurs fans considering he had one of his best performances for the club and was instrumental in both the team’s performance and stellar result. Rumours have unsurprisingly run rife as to whether Spurs will now look to find a short-term replacement for ‘Venom’ in the January transfer window.
Caoimhín Kelleher is supposedly top of the target list as the free agent market is limited with Keylor Navas being the only ‘big name’ option. No matter what happens from now until January, it looks like Fraser Forster will be Spurs interim number one.
Loanee brings FA Cup magic with a header to set Leyton Orient up to progress to the next round
In another Spurs-related story, Josh Keeley, on loan at League One side Leyton Orient, flicked a header into the far corner in the 99th minute of the O's FA Cup tie against Oldham. The equaliser sent the tie to extra-time, where Orient went on to win it and book a place in the Third Round.
Manager Richie Wellens was effusive in his praise of Keeley's goal and character, saying: 'I think this will go down – not the game, but the moment in the game – will go down in (history),' on the club's X account.
'Josh deserves this, he has character, he's brave. You see the saves he made and you see him on the ball and I'm really pleased for him and for the whole team.'
Chris Sutton’s son, Ollie, scores goal from drop-kick for Wroxham
Former player Chris Sutton saw his goalkeeper son, Ollie, emulate his father and get on the scoresheet for the first time in his career last weekend. His side, Wroxham, beat Grays Athletic 5-2 with help from their number one's long kicks.
The 28-year-old was caught on video by a fan scoring from an amazing drop-kick within his own penalty area. The kick took one big bounce and left the opposition goalkeeper hopelessly falling to the ground as the ball hit the back of the net. The camera then cut to Ollie Sutton who ran off mimicking Alan Shearer’s celebration as fans could be heard shouting ‘Shearer’ from the stands!! It was an amazing moment for Ollie and it’s definitely worth a watch.
Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper, Jared Thompson, scores remarkable own goal
Jared Thompson, who spent the youth years of his career at Chelsea, scored an early own goal for his side, Gloucester City, last weekend. In the fourth minute, Thompson was looking to play it out to his right back, but a combination of the wind and a misdirected kick saw it fly into the top-left corner. The Walton and Hersham commentator could be heard excitedly shouting ‘What’s happened there!?’.
Things went from bad to worse for Thompson as he conceded another three goals in the next thirty minutes. However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the goalkeeper and his side as they came back from 4-0 down to draw the game 4-4 with a last-minute equaliser. A non-league game for the ages!
USWNT goalkeeper announces retirement from international football
United States Women's National Team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has announced she will retire from international football, with team's next two matches to be her final appearances for Emma Hayes' Stars and Stripes.
Naeher has served as the first-choice goalkeeper for the US women since Hope Solo's international retirement in 2016 and been the number one for the USWNT in every major tournament in the last eight years.
'Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honor,' said Naeher in a press release. 'When I began this journey, I never could have imagined where it would take me, and now I find myself so grateful for all the incredible teammates that I have shared the field with; teammates that have turned into lifelong friends.'
Andre Onana wins FIFPRO award for charity work
The international players' union has awarded the Player Impact Award by to Onana for his charity work via the Andre Onana Foundation.
The foundation provides free medical care and surgeries for underprivileged children and adults in Cameroon and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Doctors have performed more than 1,200 operations in the past three years using the support of the foundation.
Speaking about his charity work, Onana said he felt ‘a responsibility to give back and help others.’
‘When I passed through Barcelona, Amsterdam and Milan on my way to Manchester United, I had people who helped me on that journey,’ he said.
'When I was down, they gave me a hand so that I could stand up. I’ve never forgotten the help I received.'
FIFA announce seven man shortlist for 2024's ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award
The current holder of the award is Ederson.
Full shortlist:
Ederson (Manchester City)
David Raya (Arsenal)
Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)
Unai Simon (Athletic Club)
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
