It is true, Fabien Barthez is perhaps a legend of French football without being a legend of the round ball. “The Divine Chauve” nevertheless marked his time. He is obviously the guardian holder of the French team of the 1998 world champion and European champion 2000. Admittedly protected by the Rocs Lilian Thuram, Laurent Blanc and Marcel Desailly, the Ariègeois made many memorable stops during the two coronations.
It is therefore abroad that Barthez is certainly not appreciated at its fair value. The young winner of the Champions League with OM in 1993 has long evolved in French D1, at AS Monaco, before living three contrasting years in Manchester United (2000-2003). Its good beginnings with the Red Devils preceded many empty passages in the most popular club in the world at the time. Sir Alex Ferguson quickly moved on, turning to the United States to recruit Tim Howard…
Fabien Barthez does not appear in the top 10 of the best guards in history according to the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics). This organization created in 1984 honors the best footballers each year and has recently updated its rankings, such as that of the best players in history (Lionel Messi is now ahead of Pelé and Diego Maradona, with Zinedine Zidane in 7th place).
Fabien Barthez out of the top 10
Barthez goes behind many legendary guards. The Soviet Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper elected Ballon d'Or in history (in 1963), is in the lead in front of Gianluigi Buffon, leader of the 2006 world champions, and Manuel Neuer, the great reference of the 2010s, 2014 world champion. At the foot of the podium: Iker Casillas, emblematic player of the real and the big team of Spain 2010 of the Euro (2008 and 2012).
We then find the illustrious Gordon Banks, goalkeeper of England World Champion 1966 (and author in 1970 of a legendary judgment in front of King Pelé), Petr Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper winner of the 2012 Champions League, Dino Zoff, winner of the 1982 World Cup at 40, Sepp Maier, the porter of Bayern and the Mannschaft of Franz Beckenbauer, 1974 world champion, Oliver Kahn, the Bayern Taulier in the 2000s, 3rd in the 2001 and 2002 Golden Ballon, as well as Ricardo Zamora, Spanish football star in the 1930s.
Fabien Barthez could perhaps have appeared in 10th place at the expense of Sepp Maier or Ricardo Zamora. He is a much more modern goalkeeper, almost in advance on his time. “Fabulous Fab” was elected best goalkeeper by this same IFFHS in 2000 (José Luis Chilavert had been acclaimed in 1998). That said, Peter Schmeichel, Edwin Van der Sar or Thibaut Courtois, references in their time, also deserve to be one of the best 15. Some players cited have more talent than the favorite goalkeeper of French football.
