Peter Schmeichel

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Gladsaxe, Copenhagen, Schmeichel is 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) tall and weighed close to 100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb) during his playing days, and wore specially-made size XXXL football shirts. A fierce competitor, he often loudly criticised perceived mistakes by his defenders. Unusually for a goalkeeper, he scored 11 goals during his career, including one for the national team. He was also the most capped player for Denmark, playing 129 games between 1987 and 2001, until he was overtaken by Simon Kjær in 2023. In addition to Euro 92, he played for his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and three more European Championship tournaments. He captained the national team in 30 matches. He also represented Gladsaxe-Hero, Hvidovre, Brøndby, Sporting CP, Aston Villa and Manchester City in a career that lasted from 1981 until 2003 and yielded 24 trophies.

In Their Own Story

The climax of Schmeichel's Manchester United career arrived in the 1998–1999 season. In the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, he saved a penalty by Dennis Bergkamp in the last minutes to send the game into extra time—a moment he later revealed he was unaware of until told. The ultimate test came in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Holding a 0–1 deficit until the dying minutes, Schmeichel abandoned his goal to join the attack during a corner kick. His presence disrupted the German defense just enough for Teddy Sheringham to score the equaliser. A few seconds later, Ole Gunnar Solskjær struck the winner. The Danish giant cartwheeled in celebration as the team completed the treble, cementing his legacy as the leader who guided United through their most dramatic victory.

Reader's Guide

Schmeichel ended his Manchester United career on a high note, when the club won the Treble (the FA Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in the same season). In that year's FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal, Schmeichel saved a penalty kick by Dennis Bergkamp in the last minutes of the game.

Did You Know?

• Schmeichel was voted the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993.
• He scored 11 goals during his career, including one for the national team.
• Schmeichel was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
• His son Kasper was also a professional goalkeeper, known for playing for Celtic, Leicester City and the Denmark national team.