Every adult soccer fan knows an athlete like Schmeichel Peter. After all, he is a true FIFA legend, the most titled and famous Danish football player of all time.
This man is the record holder for the number of matches held for his country’s national team. And besides, the author of several goals, which is an achievement for the goalkeeper. This is a truly respected footballer, so now it’s worth talking about him in a little more detail.
Childhood and youth
Peter Schmeichel was born in the commune of Gladsax in 1963, on November 18. His mother was a Danish and his father a Pole. So until the age of 7, the boy had Polish citizenship.
Interestingly, as a child, he was actively involved in music. He liked everything - from classics to glam rock. The boy dreamed of building a musical career.
Football was just a hobby for him. By the way, he didn’t just “kick the ball” in the yard, but studied at the school at FC Hezhe-Gladsaks. In parallel, the boy was engaged in handball. But still, at the insistence of the coach, he chose football.
The beginning of the way
At the age of 21, Peter Schmeichel moved to the Vidovre club, despite the fact that in those days he experienced both financial and psychological problems. There he spent 76 matches in two years.
Interestingly, he was initially declared as a striker. Peter even held several meetings in this role, scoring 6 goals. But then the young man was retrained as a goalkeeper.
In 1987, he joined FC Brondby. He played in this club for 4 years, and spent 119 matches.
It should be noted that the football player Peter Schmeichel, who in the future became a true legend, in the second half of the 80s interested representatives of English clubs. People from Newcastle United even talked to the management of his team. However, it was considered inexperienced, and therefore decided not to buy.
Relocation to England
But Manchester United did not miss their chance. In 1991, Peter Schmeichel, whose photo is presented above, was bought by the "Red Devils" at a price of 500-800 thousand pounds (the exact amount is unknown). Years later, Sir Alex Ferguson called the transfer "the acquisition of the century."
Peter Schmeichel achieved tremendous success as part of Manchester United. Throughout his career, he has never been criticized by any of the coaches.
Only once did a conflict occur between him and Ferguson. It happened in 1994 - then the “devils” won 3-0 against Liverpool, and it could have been a victory if Peter had not immediately missed 3 goals from opponents after that.
Of course, the coach criticized the goalkeeper, and he answered even in a more rude form. But a few days later, Schmeichel warmly apologized to the whole team and Sir Alex. A truce has come.
Further career
It should be noted that Peter, being a goalkeeper, did not lose his scorer abilities. This was demonstrated by the match between Manchester United and Volgograd Rotor on September 26, 1995. Then the teams fought in the 1/32 finals of the UEFA Cup.
"Devils" were losing. At the end of the meeting, the judge appointed a corner. He was executed by Ryan Giggs, and here in the penalty area appeared Schmeichel, who ran there from his own gate. He deftly redirected the ball into the net of opponents from the supply of a teammate, which was a surprise for everyone.
But Peter Schmeichel’s highest achievement is a victory in the 1999 Champions League. All football fans remember this tragic ending. Bayern led 1-0, the match was drawing to a close, the judge added 3 minutes. And in this shortest time, the “devils” scored 2 goals, snatching a victory for themselves! This was a definite merit of Peter, because he again pulled into the penalty area from the gate and helped to level the score with his actions.
Leaving Manchester United
When the 1998/1999 season ended, Schmeichel, who at that time was already 36 years old, decided to leave the team. Although the players and fans persuaded him not to do this.
But Peter had reasons. The highest dynamics of English football and the ever-overloaded schedule negatively affected his condition. Schmeichel needed a more relaxed life, and preferably in a warm region.
So in 1999 he moved to Portugal to play for Sporting. He spent two years there, playing in 55 matches. And then he unexpectedly returned to England, where he spent one season at Aston Villa and Manchester City. And already in 2003, at the age of 40, he completed his career.
In the national team
Peter Schmeichel played for his national team for 14 years - from 1987 to 2001. For the Danes, he spent 129 matches and even scored 1 goal. Together with the national team, in 1992 he won the European Championship.
And the team got into this tournament almost by accident - because of the disqualification of Yugoslavia. But Denmark bypassed everyone, even England and France. In the finals, they played with the Swedes.
It should be noted that the victory in this tournament brought Schmeichel the title of the best goalkeeper in the world.
Achievements
As mentioned earlier, Peter Schmeichel is a significant, titled person. Among his team achievements:
- 4 victories in the championship of Denmark.
- Danish Cup.
- 5 victories in the Premier League.
- 3 FA Cups.
- Football League Cup.
- 4 England Super Cup.
- Victory in the Champions League.
- European Super Cup.
- Victory in the championship of Portugal.
- Super Cup of Portugal.
- Intertoto Cup.
- Victory in the European Championship.
And the legendary goalkeeper has even more personal rewards. The following titles were awarded to him:
- The best goalkeeper of Denmark (4 times).
- The best football player in Denmark (3 times).
- Member of the UEFA symbolic team (1992).
- The best goalkeeper in Europe (4 times).
- Player of the Premier League season.
- The best goalkeeper in the world (2 times).
- Member of the Order of the British Empire.
- The best goalkeeper of the European season.
- Record holder of the Danish national team in the number of matches played.
- 7th place in the ranking of the best goalkeepers of the 20th century.
Schmeichel is also included in the list of the greatest football players of the twentieth century, in the FIFA-100 rating, and he is also inducted into the Halls of Fame of English and Danish football.
Personal life
And a few words should be said about her. The wife of Peter Schmeichel is the daughter of his first coach, Hansen. Her name is Berta. Together they were about 30 years old, but divorced in 2013.
A few words need to be said about the son of Peter Schmeichel, whose name is Casper (pictured above). He is also known as a goalkeeper. The young man began with Manchester City, then played in clubs such as Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff City, Coventry City, Notts County, Leeds United.
Peter's son, Casper Schmeichel, changed a considerable number of teams, but in 2011 he joined Leicester City, whose colors he still defends. For 7 years he played 265 matches.
In the end, it is worth saying that now Peter often appears on television. He was the host of several programs, and now often participates in the programs of the Air Force channel.