20 Goalkeeping Quotes
Today I’ve compiled a set of 20 goalkeeping quotes for you to read. These contain some funny remarks by keepers, as well as some pieces of mental and technical advice for young goalies. Unsurprisingly there seem to be a disproportionate number of quotes from Jens Lehmann in the ‘amusing section’! Here they are:
Amusing Goalkeeping Quotes
“When I see Almunia’s performances, I get angry and have to make a fist in my pocket” (Jens Lehmann)
“It’s disappointing to be dropped from any team – even my mates’ fantasy league team” (Robert Green)
“If I could be a superhero, I would be Batman. He’s got the least silly tights” (Paul Robinson)
“Lampard is a specialist in insulting people very badly” (Jens Lehmann)
“I didn’t see the ball. I just saw it going to my right” (Robert Green)
“I’ve been training for just over a month now but for the first two weeks of that I couldn’t even catch flu” (Anti Niemi)
“At the moment I’m just swallowing it all as part of the humiliation but I think – and this is aimed at my dear manager – one shouldn’t humiliate players for too long” (Jens Lehmann)
“My colleagues spend most of their time with their backs turned towards me. I don’t believe it’s because I am unpopular – honestly” (Brad Friedel)
Playing Tips for Keepers
“Goalkeeping is like extreme sports sometimes – you have to let yourself go” (Jens Lehmann)
“The game is now all about power and pace and the goalkeeper has to be able to deal with that power and pace…the power of the shooting of strikers means that goalkeepers need a physical strength to deal with shots coupled with a speed of movement to get them there in the first place.” (Simon Smith)
“I like the money, but of course teachers should get more than us. I’m nost saying footballers should save the environment and change the NHS, but if we portrayed ourselves 15 per cent better then it would help” (Brad Friedel)
“In 1 against 1, the goalkeeper has to go in a straight line to the ball with his arms stretched, ready to block the ball. Because he has his hands stretched, he can defend himself against the foot of the striker. When they touch the ball in the same moment, the goalkeeper is much stronger because he blocks with his entire body” (Maarten Arts)
“If I have a lot of adrenaline in my body, that is helpful because I feel less pain” (Jens Lehmann)
“What I do fot a living may appear to be simple. Yet think about it, I have to apply an intuitive understanding of geometry and the laws of physics. I’ll make continuous and instantaneous risk assessments about the action I should take in relation to the flight of a spheroid object. That’s what my job is really all about” (Brad Friedel)
“Physically it helps to be tall, but that certainly isn’t imperative- look at Shay Given, or Mark Bosnich, or Jimmy Walker- they weren’t the tallest players on the pitch, but still all had very successful careers” (Shaka Hislop)
Mental Qualities for Keepers
“Being a goalkeeper gives you quite a unique perspective on things. You are part of a team yet somehow separate; there are no grey areas, with success or failure being measured in real time; and you have a physical job which you can only do well by paying attention to your mental well-being. A great goalkeeper has to have the keys to a great mindset. To be able to work well in the box, I believe you have to be able to think outside the box” (Brad Friedel)
“For the goalkeepers, you need to be perserverant, courageous, driven and a hard worker. Always be ready to take challenges and show character” (Yousseff Dahha)
“It’s a position which brings with it a fantastic privilege: it offers me the opportunity to be both participant and observer. It has conditioned me to notice and given me time to think. It has helped me to understand the value of reflection and analysius, on the field and off the field; in my chosen sport, in business and in life” (Brad Friedel)
“Mentally, you have to be tough. Keep in mind you are largely remembered for your mistakes. There aren’t many players on the pitch who can cope with that fact day in day out, game after game… the higher the level, the bigger the stage the more determined, the more stubborn, the more mentally tough you have to become…your self-confidence will take a beating every now and then, but stick to the basic principles of goalkeeping, stick with that mental toughness I keep talking about, what I feel is the basic foundation for being a goalkeeper, and you’ll come through it.” (Shaka Hislop)
“For a goalkeeper, there is no hiding place” (Brad Friedel)
“Be the best prepared you possibly can be and never be satisfied by where you are or how well you are performing. For a young goalkeeper, games are the most important thing even if you have to start lower down. Make sure you have your life in balance: lots of work but also lots of fun.” (Neville Southall)
If you have any other goalkeeping quotes that you would like to add, please share them in the comments section below. You can find more hilarious soccer quotes here or get more goalkeeping information here.
Have fun,
Soccer Geek