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 (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||
| Position(s) | 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) | |||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||
| 1976–1987 | Belgium | 64 | (0) | ||||||||||
| Managerial career | |||||||||||||
| 1998–1999 | K.V. Oostende | ||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||
Jean-Marie Pfaff (born 4 December 1953) is a famous Belgian former footballer. He played as a goalkeeper for many years. Most of his career was spent with Beveren and Bayern Munich.
Pfaff played 64 times for the Belgian national team. He was part of the team 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 also won the first-ever IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award in 1987.
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Jean-Marie Pfaff's Early Life
Jean-Marie Pfaff was born in Lebbeke, Belgium. He grew up in a large family with 12 children. His father sold fabrics and carpets door-to-door. The family lived in a caravan and everyone helped with sales in the summer.
Even as a young boy playing football in the street, his amazing goalkeeping skills were noticed. He joined the youth team of Eendracht Aalst. Later, he and his brother Toon moved to KSK Beveren. Jean-Marie was only 12 when his father passed away from cancer. This was a very difficult time for his family.
Playing for Football Clubs
Starting at Beveren
Jean-Marie Pfaff started playing for the main team of Beveren in the Belgian First Division when he was 18. This was at the end of the 1971–72 season. The team was relegated to the second division that year.
The next season, Pfaff became the main goalkeeper. Beveren won the second division championship and moved back up to the first division. He became a key player for the team.
In the 1977–78 season, Beveren reached the Belgian Cup final for the first time. Pfaff made some amazing saves, helping his team win 2–0 against Charleroi. This win allowed them to play in European competitions. In 1978, Jean-Marie Pfaff won the Belgian Golden Shoe, a special award rarely given to goalkeepers.
Beveren had its best season in 1978–79. The club won the national championship for the first time ever. Pfaff kept a clean sheet (meaning no goals were scored against him) in half of their matches. In the European Cup Winners' Cup, Beveren surprised everyone by beating Inter Milan. They were eventually knocked out by Barcelona in the semi-finals.
In 1980, Beveren reached the Belgian Cup final again, but they lost. After the 1982 FIFA World Cup, 28-year-old Pfaff moved to the famous German club Bayern Munich.
Time at Bayern Munich
At Bayern Munich, Pfaff faced a lot of pressure. Even though he had a tough start, he quickly became a vital part of the team. Bayern had been looking for a great goalkeeper since their legend Sepp Maier was injured. Pfaff became that successor.
In his first season, Bayern didn't do as well as expected. But Pfaff's strong performances in the second half of the season earned him praise as a "world-class goalkeeper."
Bayern won the German Cup in 1984. In the final, Pfaff saved a penalty kick, helping his team win the shootout.
Pfaff won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich for the first time in the 1984–85 season. They also reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup.
In the 1985–86 season, Pfaff had some injuries. But he worked hard to get back his starting spot. Bayern won the league title again and also the German Cup.
Bayern won the Bundesliga for the third time in a row in the 1986–87 season. They also reached the final of the European Cup, but lost to FC Porto. Because of his great performances for Bayern and Belgium, Pfaff was named the "best goalkeeper in the world" in 1987.
After the 1987–88 season, Pfaff, at 35, decided to return to Belgium. He signed with SK Lierse.
Playing for Lierse and Trabzonspor
Pfaff played one season for Lierse in Belgium. The team finished in the middle of the league table. After that, he joined his former coach at Trabzonspor in Turkey.
He was welcomed like a hero in Turkey. The team finished third in the league. Pfaff played his last professional game in the Turkish Cup final in 1990. He decided to end his 18-year career as a goalkeeper at 36.
International Career with Belgium
In 1976, Jean-Marie Pfaff was called up to play for the Belgian national team, also known as the Red Devils. His first game was against the Dutch team led by the famous Johan Cruijff. Pfaff played very well, even saving a penalty.
Pfaff was a key player in the 1980 European Championship in Italy. His saves helped Belgium reach the final against West Germany, which they lost 2–1. Belgium was becoming a strong team, and Pfaff was a star.
The 1982 World Cup in Spain was exciting. Belgium won their first game against Argentina. Pfaff played at a very high level. However, in a later match, he got injured and had to go home. Without him, Belgium was knocked out of the tournament.
Pfaff also played for Belgium in the 1984 European Championship. Two years later, Belgium qualified for the World Cup in Mexico. This World Cup was a highlight for Pfaff. He was called 'El Simpatico' (Mr. Nice Guy) by the Mexican fans.
Belgium was a big surprise at the World Cup. Pfaff made incredible saves, especially against the Soviet Union. His team reached the semi-finals. They lost to Diego Maradona's Argentina, who scored two goals. Belgium finished fourth after losing to France in the third-place match. When the team returned home, 10,000 fans celebrated them in Brussels.
Pfaff's time with the national team ended in 1987 when he was 33 years old. He played his last international game against Bulgaria.
Jean-Marie Pfaff's Playing Style
Even though he was strongly built, Pfaff was known for his quick reflexes. He made amazing, acrobatic saves that stopped many shots. He was also famous for his outgoing and lively personality. He was a strong leader on the field and very confident. Fans loved him because he was cheerful and professional. This is why he earned the nickname El Simpático during the 1986 World Cup.
He was also good at rushing out of his goal to get the ball. Even though he wasn't the tallest goalkeeper, his large hands helped him grab the ball. He was also excellent at stopping penalty kicks. Many people consider him one of Belgium's greatest goalkeepers ever.
After His Football Career
After retiring from playing, Jean-Marie Pfaff had two short periods as a coach. He coached KSV Sottegem in 1993 and Oostende in 1998.
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In 2004, the legendary footballer Pelé named Pfaff as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers.
In 2023, a special pop-up museum about Jean-Marie Pfaff opened in Beveren, Belgium. It displays many of his jerseys, photos, and other souvenirs from his career. The museum has been very popular and has been extended until early 2025.
Fun Facts About Jean-Marie Pfaff
- In 1987, Pfaff had a small role in a German movie called Zärtliche Chaoten.
- He appeared in the Flemish TV show F.C. De Kampioenen in 1990 and again in 1999.
- From 2002 to 2012, he and his family starred in a popular reality TV show called De Pfaffs.
- Pfaff was in the 2008 children's movie Plop en de Kabouterbaby.
- In 2015, he had a guest role in the German TV series Sturm der Liebe.
- In 2024, someone mistakenly thought an intruder was Jean-Marie Pfaff and let them into a German football TV show studio!
Honours and Awards
Beveren
- Belgian Second Division: 1972–73
- 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 National Team
- 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
- 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 (named one of the 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé)
- Golden Foot Legends Award: 2014
- Honorary Citizen of Lebbeke, Belgium: 2018
- Honorary Citizen of Beveren, Belgium: 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
