The phrase ‘Brazilian goalkeeper’ does not, historically speaking, inspire a great deal of confidence.
This is a little harsh. True, Felix was a weak link in the all-conquering 1970 side, and Valdir Peres hardly covered himself in glory in 1982. But Gilmar, from 1958 and '62, was perfectly acceptable, as was Leao from the 1970s.
But Leao, not known for excesses of humility, would be the first to admit that the contemporary standard of Brazilian keepers is much better than it was in his day. Training methods have greatly improved, and these days the country produces keepers for export.
The defining before-and-after moment in this process is Taffarel. He played three World Cups with barely a blemish, adapted successfully to Serie A and opened up the European market for his successors. These days Taffarel is part of Brazil’s coaching staff. And he has had plenty to do with the choice of Alisson as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The position was up for grabs after the disaster of the 2014 World Cup. The experienced Jefferson of Botafogo was in pole position. But after Brazil were beaten in the first round of 2018 World Cup qualification, they decided it was time for a change. In came Alisson, young and untried. It was a gamble. But Taffarel was convinced. He had identified Alisson as the man of the future, and two and a half years later, Brazil see no reason for regret.
They kept faith with him when he moved to Roma and spent the entire 2016/7 season on the bench. And now he is first choice at his club, he is attracting wider attention. There have been rumours that Jurgen Klopp is keen to spend some of that Phillippe Coutinho money on bringing Alisson to Liverpool. If true, it could be a sound investment.
And just down the road from Liverpool, at Manchester City, Brazil have Ederson playing a highly impressive debut season in the Premier League, and giving the team so many passing options with the excellence of his kicking. These, then, are two top-quality, in-form goalkeepers who Brazil can take to the World Cup in Russia. How Argentina must be looking on in envy.
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Argentine football prides itself on its goalkeeping tradition. But it is difficult to think of the last world-class keeper the country has produced. Training methods appear to have stagnated. Club goalkeepers in Argentina are often big on personality but weak on technique.
Their long-term first choice in the national team – by some distance Argentina’s most capped keeper – is Manchester United’s Sergio Romero. He has played 93 times for his country. But, as at Old Trafford, the vast majority of his club career has been spent on the substitutes' bench. He is competent enough, but can be untidy. It is not often remarked upon, but had he dived the right way – towards the far post – he may have saved the goal from Mario Gotze that won the 2014 World Cup.
Romero is Argentina’s undisputed No.1. But his lack of activity is a cause for concern – and in the run-up to Russia a new challenge could be emerging. After seven successful years in Colombia with Atletico Nacional, Franco Armani has just sealed his move to Buenos Aires giants River Plate.
The 31-year-old is by no means the most elegant version of Armani to be found on the globe. But he has been a big, effective shot-stopper for one of the strongest teams on the continent, champions of the Copa Libertadores in 2016.
Colombia, with goalkeeping problems of their own, may well have been interested had he chosen to naturalise. Instead, seduced by the dream of playing for River and the chance of gatecrashing the World Cup, he has moved back down south. The great Rene Higuita, his goalkeeping coach at Atletico Nacional, is of the opinion that Argentina should call him up. River Plate give him a big platform from which to shout his claims.
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