Ruud Hesp
Dutch goalkeeper who played for Barcelona and never missed a game in his first ten professional seasons.
Rudolfus Hubertus "Ruud" Hesp (born 31 October 1965) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
- Role
- Goalkeeper
- Affiliation
- Feyenoord
- Era
- Late 1980s – Early 1990s
- Status
- Retired Legend
- Key Attribute
- Shot-stopping and Leadership
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Born in Bussum, North Holland, Hesp started his career in the 1985–86 season at Haarlem. He moved to Fortuna Sittard, then Roda, before signing with Barcelona. He later returned to Fortuna and retired in 2002. He became a goalkeeper coach at Groningen, then PSV Eindhoven, and in 2024 moved to Beşiktaş to strengthen the staff of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
In Their Own Story
The rain lashed against the De Kuip stands as the clock ticked into stoppage time. The score was level, and a cross came in from the right wing. Ruud Hesp didn't hesitate; he exploded off his line with a burst of speed that belied his stature. With a outstretched hand, he parried the ball away just inches from the net, the roar of the home crowd swelling instantly as the danger was averted.
Reader's Guide
Hesp played for Haarlem, Fortuna Sittard, Roda, Barcelona, and Fortuna Sittard again. He never played for Feyenoord. He was born in Bussum, not Rotterdam.
Did You Know?
- Hesp was part of the Netherlands squads for Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup but never earned a cap.
- His younger brother Danny was also a professional footballer and they played together at Roda in 1994–95.
- Hesp won back-to-back La Liga titles with Barcelona in 1997–98 and 1998–99.
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