1. Jean-Marie Pfaff was born on 4 December 1953 and is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper and spent most of his professional career with Beveren and Bayern Munich.
30 Facts About Jean-Marie Pfaff
1. 2.
Jean-Marie Pfaff was named goalkeeper of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and he was the first player to receive the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award in 1987.
3.
Jean-Marie Pfaff grew up in a family of 12 children.
4.
Jean-Marie Pfaff's father was a door-to-door salesman of fabrics and carpets.
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The Jean-Marie Pfaff family lived in a caravan in Lebbeke and in the summer, the whole family was obliged to help their father with sales.
6.
Jean-Marie Pfaff joined the youth team of Eendracht Aalst, the club of his brothers Louis and Jean-Baptist Jean-Marie Pfaff.
7.
When Jean-Marie Pfaff was barely 12, his father died of cancer.
8.
In 1978, Jean-Marie Pfaff won the Belgian Golden Shoe, a trophy that is rarely awarded to goalkeepers.
9.
The club became national champion for the first time in its existence, with Jean-Marie Pfaff not conceding a goal in half of the matches.
10.
The penalty shootout ended when Jean-Marie Pfaff saved Konstantinos Malioufas' attempt, and then scored Bayern's tenth penalty himself.
11.
At the age of 35, Jean-Marie Pfaff decided to return to his home country and signed a contract with SK Lierse.
12.
Jean-Marie Pfaff was welcomed as a true national hero at the Turkish club.
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Jean-Marie Pfaff was called up and with him other young promises such as Willy Wellens, Rene Verheyen and Michel Renquin.
14.
Jean-Marie Pfaff made his debut in the quarter finals against the Dutch team of Johan Cruijff.
15.
Jean-Marie Pfaff did his best, intimidated Johan Neeskens in front of the Italian referee Alberto Michelotti, and made sure that he missed a penalty.
16.
Jean-Marie Pfaff left the field smiling and as if nothing had happened to congratulate the opponent with number fourteen.
17.
Jean-Marie Pfaff played at a high level, but his Spanish adventure was shorter than expected.
18.
Jean-Marie Pfaff defended the Belgian goal at the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which the Red Devils did not get past the group stage and finished third in Group A behind France and Denmark.
19.
Prior, Jean-Marie Pfaff had suffered a serious injury and was competing with Jacky Munaron of Anderlecht.
20.
Jean-Marie Pfaff, who was called 'El Simpatico' by the Mexican football fans, played at a high level with great saves and reached the semi-finals with his team.
21.
Jean-Marie Pfaff played his last international match on 23 September 1987 against Bulgaria.
22.
Jean-Marie Pfaff was known for his extroverted and outspoken character, his lively and eccentric personality, and his strong and charismatic leadership qualities, as well as his confidence, fair-play, and professionalism, which made him an excellent organiser of the defence and a popular figure among the fans; as such, due to his cheerful attitude on the pitch and humorous demeanor, he earned him the nickname El Simpatico during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
23.
Jean-Marie Pfaff excelled at quickly rushing off his line; moreover, although he was not the tallest goalkeeper, his large hands aided him when coming out to claim the ball, which made him an authoritative presence in goal.
24.
Jean-Marie Pfaff had 2 short periods as a coach, first at KSV Sottegem in 1993, a few years later at Oostende.
25.
Jean-Marie Pfaff was named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
26.
Jean-Marie Pfaff was a representative of company United Sol Energy in 2005.
27.
Jean-Marie Pfaff became a member of BFC Dynamo and promoted the establishment of a new youth sports school at the club.
28.
Jean-Marie Pfaff visited the Sportforum Hohenschonhausen and participated in training with youth teams of BFC Dynamo.
29.
Jean-Marie Pfaff resigned from the club on 11 August 2006 and terminated his membership.
30.
In 2023, a pop up museum around Jean-Marie Pfaff opened in the former town hall of Beveren.