Turkish · Antalya, Turkey · Born 10 May 1973Rüştü Reçber is a Turkish former goalkeeper and Turkey's most-capped player, celebrated for his heroics as Turkey finished third at the 2002 World Cup.
Rüştü Reçber earned a place on the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award after his acrobatic performances helped Turkey finish third at the 2002 World Cup — their best-ever result and first appearance at the tournament in 48 years — a campaign that made him a national hero and earned him a move to Barcelona. He moved to Fenerbahçe in 1993, becoming the club's first-choice goalkeeper the following season and going on to make over 400 appearances for the club across two spells, winning four Süper Lig titles. Rüştü became a national hero at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, where Turkey — competing for the first time in 48 years — reached the semifinals before finishing third, their best-ever World Cup result. His acrobatic saves throughout the tournament, including a decisive double intervention in the third-place playoff against South Korea, earned him a place on the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award. Rüştü's World Cup heroics earned him a move to FC Barcelona in 2003, though injuries limited him to just seven appearances before he returned to Fenerbahçe. He went on to win a further Süper Lig title with Fenerbahçe and later joined city rivals Beşiktaş, winning another league title in 2008-09 and a Turkish Cup in 2011. He also helped Turkey reach the semifinals of Euro 2008. Rüştü retired in July 2012 with a then-record 120 caps for Turkey, and was named to the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living footballers by Pelé in 2004.
Heroic goalkeeping as Turkey finished third at the 2002 World Cup
How They Played
Athletic, unpredictable sweeper-keeper capable of both spectacular saves and occasional erratic decision-making
Lasting Impact
Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation and one of the defining figures of Turkey's golden footballing era
Career Honours
- FIFA World Cup third place (2002)
- UEFA Euro 2008 semifinalist
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (2002)
- UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year (2002)
- Most-capped Turkish player (120 caps)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Antalyaspor | 1991–1993 | — |
| Fenerbahçe | 1993–2003 | — |
| Barcelona | 2003–2004 | — |
| Fenerbahçe | 2004–2007 | — |
| Beşiktaş | 2007–2012 | — |
Turkish Athletes