Rüştü Reçber facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rüştü Reçber

Reçber playing for Beşiktaş in 2010
Personal information
Date of birth	(1973-05-10) 10 May 1973 (age 52)
Place of birth	Korkuteli, Antalya, Turkey
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1985–1988	Korkutelispor
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1988–1991	Burdurgücü	1	(0)
1991–1993	Antalyaspor	34	(0)
1993–2003	Fenerbahçe	240	(0)
1993–1994	→ Antalyaspor (loan)	33	(0)
2003–2006	Barcelona	4	(0)
2004–2006	→ Fenerbahçe (loan)	46	(0)
2006–2007	Fenerbahçe	8	(0)
2007–2012	Beşiktaş	99	(0)
Total		432	(0)
International career
1992–1993	Turkey U21	11	(0)
1994–2012	Turkey	120	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Turkey FIFA World Cup Third 2002 Korea/Japan UEFA European Championship Third 2008 Austria–Switzerland FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2003 France
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rüştü Reçber (born 10 May 1973) is a famous Turkish former professional football player. He is best known for being one of the greatest goalkeepers in Turkey's history. During his long career, he played for major clubs like Fenerbahçe, Barcelona, and Beşiktaş.

Rüştü was a key player for the Turkey national squad. He helped his country reach the semi-finals of both the 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. His amazing saves at the 2002 World Cup earned him a spot on the tournament's All-Star Team. With 120 appearances, or caps, he has played more games for Turkey than any other player.

In 2002, Rüştü was voted the best goalkeeper in European competitions. In 2004, the legendary player Pelé named him to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers in the world.

Club Career

Early Years and Fenerbahçe

Born in Korkuteli, Turkey, Rüştü started his football journey at Antalyaspor. Interestingly, he first played as a forward before switching to become a goalkeeper.

Early in his career, he almost joined two of Turkey's biggest clubs. He turned down Galatasaray because he was asked to start on the youth team. Later, a move to Beşiktaş was cancelled after he was badly hurt in a car crash.

In 1993, he finally joined one of the "Big Three" Turkish clubs, Fenerbahçe. He got his big chance in 1994 when the main goalkeeper was injured. Rüştü stepped in and became a star. He played 240 games for Fenerbahçe in his first period there, becoming the team captain and winning the Turkish Süper Lig twice.

A Move to Barcelona

In 2003, Rüştü moved to the famous Spanish club Barcelona. However, his time there was short. The manager, Frank Rijkaard, chose to play another goalkeeper because Rüştü was still learning to speak Spanish. Rüştü was unhappy about this and felt he deserved to play.

He played only seven games for Barcelona. His first league game was a 3–1 victory against Espanyol on December 13, 2003.

Return to Turkey

Rüştü (in orange) in action for Beşiktaş against Trabzonspor in March 2008

After his brief time in Spain, Rüştü returned to Fenerbahçe on loan in 2004. He stayed for two seasons before making the move permanent. In total, he played 294 games for Fenerbahçe, making him one of the club's most-played goalkeepers ever.

In 2007, after winning another league title with Fenerbahçe, he made a surprising move to their city rivals, Beşiktaş. With Beşiktaş, he won the league title again in the 2008–09 season. He also helped the team win the Turkish Cup in 2011.

International Career

2002 FIFA World Cup

Reçber (top left) was a star for Turkey at the 2002 World Cup, where the team finished in third place.

Rüştü's greatest moment came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. He was brilliant in goal, helping Turkey achieve a historic third-place finish. His performance was so good that he was named to the tournament's All-Star Team, alongside Germany's famous goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

On March 26, 2005, Rüştü played his 100th game for Turkey in a 2–0 win against Albania.

Euro 2008

At UEFA Euro 2008, Rüştü was again a hero for Turkey. In the quarter-final match against Croatia, the game went into extra time. Rüştü made a mistake that allowed Croatia to score in the final minute. But he quickly made up for it by assisting on a last-second goal for Turkey, sending the game to a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Rüştü was incredible. He saved the final penalty kick from Croatia's Mladen Petrić, winning the match for Turkey. This victory sent Turkey to the semi-finals of the Euro tournament for the first time ever.

After a close 3–2 loss to Germany in the semi-final, Rüştü announced his retirement from the national team. However, he returned to play a few more times before his final game in 2012, ending his international career with a record 120 caps.

Style of Play

Rüştü was known for his amazing ability to stop shots. He had a great sense of where to be in the goal and used his tall frame to catch high balls. He was also famous for his quick reflexes.

He was a master at saving penalty kicks. His heroic performance in the shootout against Croatia at Euro 2008 is still remembered by fans. He was also known for his unique look on the field, with his long hair and the black anti-glare paint he wore under his eyes.

Personal Life

Reçber (left) in 2005

Rüştü is married to Işıl Reçber, and they have a son and a daughter. His son, Burak, also plays football.

In March 2020, Rüştü became very ill with COVID-19 and had to be treated in a hospital. He recovered and was able to go home in April.

Honours

Fenerbahçe

• Süper Lig: 1995–96, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2006–07
• Atatürk Cup: 1998

Beşiktaş

• Süper Lig: 2008–09
• Turkish Cup: 2008–09, 2010–11

Turkey

• FIFA World Cup third place: 2002
• UEFA European Championship third place: 2008
• FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2003

Individual

• Turkish Footballer of the Year: 2001
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2002
• FIFA 100 (one of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé)

See also

In Spanish: Rüştü Reçber para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps