Jean-Marie Pfaff facts for kids
Pfaff in 2007
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 December 1953 | ||
| Place of birth | Lebbeke, East Flanders, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.80 m | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1972–1982 | Beveren | 305 | (0) |
| 1982–1988 | Bayern Munich | 156 | (0) |
| 1988–1989 | Lierse | 23 | (0) |
| 1989–1990 | Trabzonspor | 22 | (0) |
| Total | 506 | (0) | |
| National team | |||
| 1976–1987 | Belgium | 64 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1998–1999 | K.V. Oostende | ||
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Jean-Marie Pfaff (born 4 December 1953) is a famous Belgian former football player. He was a goalkeeper and spent most of his career playing for Beveren and Bayern Munich. Pfaff played 64 games for the Belgian national team. He also played in the 1982 FIFA World Cup and 1986 FIFA World Cup tournaments. In 1986, he was named the best goalkeeper of the World Cup. He was also the first player to win the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award in 1987.
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Playing for Clubs
Pfaff was born in Lebbeke, Belgium. When he was 16, he joined the football club K.S.K. Beveren. With Beveren, he helped them win the Belgian championship in 1979. They also won the Belgian Cup in 1978. In the same year, he received the Belgian Golden Shoe award, which is given to the best player in Belgium.
In 1982, Jean-Marie Pfaff moved to the famous German club Bayern Munich. There, he won three German league titles (Bundesliga) from 1985 to 1987. He also won two German cups (DFB-Pokal) in 1984 and 1986.
Playing for His Country
Pfaff first played for the Belgian national team, also known as the "Red Devils," in 1976. This first game was against the Netherlands. He was the goalkeeper for Belgium in the European Championship in 1980 and 1984. He also played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
How He Played
Jean-Marie Pfaff was known for his exciting and acrobatic style of play. Even though he was strong, he had very quick reflexes. This allowed him to make amazing saves, stopping many shots from going into the goal.
He was also famous for his outgoing and lively personality. He was a strong leader on the field and was very confident. Fans loved him because he was cheerful and funny. During the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, he was even nicknamed El Simpático, which means "Mr. Nice Guy" in Spanish.
Pfaff was good at rushing out from his goal to get the ball. He had large hands, which helped him catch the ball well. He was also excellent at saving penalty kicks. Many people consider him one of Belgium's greatest goalkeepers ever.
Farewell Match
After his career, a special farewell match was held for Jean-Marie Pfaff in 1991. It took place on the Beerschot field. A team of "Belgium of the eighties" players played against a team of world famous stars. Some of the famous players included Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, and Roger Milla. This match was shown live on TV in 36 different countries around the world.
After Retiring from Football
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In 2004, the legendary football player Pelé named Jean-Marie Pfaff as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.
From 2002 to 2012, Pfaff and his family starred in a popular reality TV show called De Pfaffs. This show was very popular in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Awards and Honours
Beveren
- Belgian First Division: 1978–79
- Belgian Cup: 1977–78
- Belgian Supercup: 1979
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87
- DFB-Pokal: 1983–84, 1985–86
- DFL-Supercup: 1987–88
- European Cup runner-up: 1986–87
Belgium
- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 1980
- Belgian Sports Merit Award: 1980
- FIFA World Cup fourth place: 1986
Individual Awards
- Belgian Golden Shoe: 1978
- Kicker Goalkeeper of the Year: 1983
- Ballon d'Or nominations: 1983, 1986, 1987
- European Goalkeeper of the Year: 1983, 1987
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1986
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 1986
- IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year: 1987
- FIFA 100: 2004
- Golden Foot Legends Award: 2014
- World Sports Legends Award: 2016
- Honorary Citizen of Beveren: 2022
- Pro League Hall of Fame: 2024
Books About Jean-Marie Pfaff
- Nummer Eén by Marcel Van Bergen (1979)
- J.M. Pfaff-De Derde Dimensie by Theo Bauwens (1983)
- De Held van Munchen (a comic book) by K. Luyckx and F. Defossez (1984)
- Das Torwartbuch by Jean-Marie Pfaff and Sepp Maier (1984)
- De Pfaffs (a comic book) by Ronald Grossey and Charel Cambré (2003)
- Overleven by Jean-Marie Pfaff (2007)
- J.M. Pfaff-Mein Leben-Vom straßenfußballer zum Welttothuter (2021)
See also
In Spanish: Jean-Marie Pfaff para niños
