Cláudio Taffarel

Brazil's most capped goalkeeper and penalty-saving hero of the 1994 World Cup.

Cláudio André Mergen Taffarel (born 8 May 1966) is a Brazilian professional football coach and former player who is the goalkeeping coach of the Brazil national team. A goalkeeper, Taffarel began his senior career in 1985 with Internacional and later played for Parma, Reggiana, Atlético Mineiro, and Galatasaray. He retired in 2003 after a second spell at Parma. He earned more than 100 international caps and played a key role in Brazil's 1994 World Cup victory, also winning two Copa América titles (1989 and 1997) and a World Cup runners-up finish in 1998. He won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

Quick Facts

Full name: Cláudio André Mergen Taffarel
Born: 8 May 1966
Birthplace: Santa Rosa, Brazil
Height: 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in
Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Brazil (goalkeeping coach)
Total caps: 346

Lore & Background

Born in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul with Italian Brazilian ancestry, Taffarel began his career at Internacional, appearing in only 14 Série A games over five years but winning the Golden Ball award for the 1988 season. He moved to Parma in 1990, becoming the first non-Italian goalkeeper in Serie A, and helped the club to a sixth-place finish and UEFA Cup qualification in his first season. He won the Coppa Italia in 1992 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1993, though later lost his starting spot due to non-Italian player limits.

After a stint at Reggiana, he returned to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro in 1995. On 24 June 1998, while at the World Cup, he signed a two-year deal with Galatasaray for about $1.5 million. At Galatasaray he won two Süper Lig titles, the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup, and the 2000 UEFA Super Cup, being named man of the match in the UEFA Cup final. He closed his career at Parma, starting in both legs of the 2002 Coppa Italia final win over Juventus, and retired in 2003 after refusing an offer from Empoli when his car broke down on the way to sign the contract.

Reader's Guide

Taffarel is regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian goalkeepers, known for his rational, effective style, explosive reflexes, positional sense, composure, and penalty-stopping ability. He developed leg muscle power from playing beach volleyball in his youth, giving him surprising spring and hang time. He was quick off his line and skilled with the ball at his feet, having played as a forward in his youth. However, due to his lack of height, poor handling, and decision-making, he struggled with crosses and high balls. He drew praise from Brazilian fans and media, earning the nickname 'Saint Taffarel,' but also criticism from Italian pundits for mental lapses and technical errors. He was a key dressing room personality.

Did You Know?

Taffarel saved three penalties against West Germany in the semi-finals of the 1988 Olympics: one in regulation time and two in the shootout.
He played as a centre-forward for his local church team during a period without a professional club in 1994.
Taffarel saved two penalties in Brazil's 4–2 shootout win over the Netherlands in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals.
He is Brazil's most capped goalkeeper of all time, with 101 appearances for the national team.