Sergio Goycochea Biography: The Life Story Of The Legendary Argentine Goalkeeper

Sergio Goycochea is a former Argentine professional footballer who is best known for his contributions to the Argentine national team during the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Born on October 17, 1963, in Lima, Goycochea began his career as a goalkeeper for River Plate, one of Argentina’s most successful football clubs. He went on to play for other teams in Argentina, as well as in France and Colombia, before retiring in 1998.

Goycochea’s career highlights include helping Argentina reach the final of the 1990 World Cup, where they lost to West Germany. During the tournament, he became known for his penalty kick saves, which helped Argentina advance to the final. He also played in the 1994 World Cup, where Argentina reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Romania.

Throughout his career, Goycochea was known for his agility, reflexes, and ability to read the game. He was also known for his calmness under pressure, which made him an ideal penalty kick stopper. In addition to his success on the field, Goycochea has also worked as a television presenter and actor in Argentina.

Key Takeaways

Sergio Goycochea is a former Argentine professional footballer who is best known for his contributions to the Argentine national team during the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Goycochea’s career highlights include helping Argentina reach the final of the 1990 World Cup, where they lost to West Germany.
Throughout his career, Goycochea was known for his agility, reflexes, and ability to read the game.

Early Life

Sergio Javier Goycochea was born on October 17, 1963, in Lima, Argentina. He grew up in a family of football enthusiasts, and his father was a goalkeeper for a local team. Goycochea started playing football at a young age and quickly showed promise as a goalkeeper.

As a teenager, Goycochea joined the youth academy of Argentine football club River Plate. However, he struggled to break into the first team and eventually left the club to play for lower-division teams.

Despite playing for smaller clubs, Goycochea’s talent did not go unnoticed. In 1981, he was selected to represent Argentina at the FIFA World Youth Championship, despite playing for a second-division club at the time. Goycochea’s performance at the tournament caught the attention of scouts from larger clubs, and he soon signed for San Lorenzo de Almagro.

Goycochea’s early career was not without setbacks, however. In 1989, he suffered a serious injury that kept him out of action for several months. Despite this setback, Goycochea continued to work hard and was eventually called up to the Argentine national team for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

Career Beginnings

Sergio Goycochea was born on October 17, 1963, in Lima, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. He began his football career playing for River Plate in 1981, where he was the backup goalkeeper for Nery Pumpido. In 1984, he moved to Millonarios in Colombia, where he played for two seasons before returning to River Plate in 1986.

In 1987, Goycochea was loaned to Racing Club de Avellaneda, where he played as a starter for the first time in his career. He returned to River Plate in 1988, where he became the starting goalkeeper and helped the team win the Argentine Primera Division title in 1989.

Goycochea’s international career began in 1987 when he was called up to play for the Argentina national team. He was part of the team that won the Copa America in 1991 and played in the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups.

During the 1990 World Cup, Goycochea became a national hero after his penalty kick saves helped Argentina reach the final. He saved two penalties in the quarter-finals against Yugoslavia and two more in the semi-finals against Italy. Although Argentina lost to Germany in the final, Goycochea was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper and earned a place in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.

In 1993, Goycochea left River Plate and joined Millonarios for a second time. He played for several other clubs in Argentina and Uruguay before retiring in 1998. After retiring, Goycochea became a television commentator and worked as a goalkeeper coach for several teams, including the Argentina national team.

Club Career

Millonarios

Sergio Goycochea started his professional career with Millonarios in Colombia in 1984. He played 41 matches for the club before moving to Argentina.

River Plate

In 1985, Goycochea joined River Plate, one of the most successful clubs in Argentina. He played 93 matches for the club and won the Argentine Primera Division twice in 1985-86 and 1989-90.

Stade Brestois

In 1990, Goycochea moved to France to play for Stade Brestois. He played only 13 matches for the club before moving to Spain.

Real Oviedo

In 1991, Goycochea joined Real Oviedo in Spain. He played 26 matches for the club before moving back to Argentina.

Newell’s Old Boys

In 1992, Goycochea joined Newell’s Old Boys, where he played his last professional match in 1998. He played 116 matches for the club and won the Argentine Primera Division in 1992 Clausura.

During his club career, Goycochea was known for his excellent reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and penalty-saving skills. He was also a reliable and consistent performer for the clubs he played for.

International Career

1989 Copa America

Goycochea made his international debut for Argentina in June 1987. He was part of the squad that won the 1989 Copa America, where he played a crucial role in the final against Brazil, saving all four penalties in the shootout to secure the title for Argentina.

1990 World Cup

Goycochea’s greatest achievement came at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he played a vital role in Argentina’s run to the final. He saved penalties in both the quarter-final and semi-final shootouts, before famously denying Roberto Baggio in the final to help Argentina finish as runners-up.

1994 World Cup

Goycochea was also part of Argentina’s squad for the 1994 World Cup in the United States. However, he did not play a single minute in the tournament, as the team was knocked out in the round of 16.

Retirement from International Football

Goycochea retired from international football in 1996, having won 44 caps for Argentina. He remains one of the country’s most iconic goalkeepers and is remembered for his heroics in penalty shootouts at the 1990 World Cup.

Post-Retirement Activities

After retiring from professional football, Sergio Goycochea remained active in various fields.

Broadcasting Career

Goycochea pursued a career in broadcasting after retiring from football. He worked as a sports analyst and commentator for various television networks, including ESPN Latin America and Fox Sports. Goycochea’s in-depth knowledge of football, combined with his charismatic personality, made him a popular figure in the world of sports broadcasting.

Political Involvement

In addition to his broadcasting career, Goycochea has also been involved in politics. He was a candidate for the Argentine Senate in the 2013 elections, representing the Popular Union party. Although he was not elected, his campaign was notable for its focus on issues such as education and public safety.

Goycochea has also been involved in various charitable activities. He has worked with organizations such as UNICEF and the Red Cross to raise awareness and funds for important causes. In recognition of his contributions, Goycochea was awarded the Order of Merit by the Argentine government in 2015.

Overall, Sergio Goycochea has remained an active and engaged public figure since his retirement from football. His diverse interests and talents have allowed him to make a positive impact in a variety of fields, and he continues to be a respected and admired figure in Argentina and beyond.

Legacy and Impact

Sergio Goycochea’s legacy as a goalkeeper is largely defined by his performances at the 1990 World Cup. His penalty saves in the knockout stages of the tournament are remembered as some of the most clutch moments in Argentine football history.

Goycochea’s heroics in Italy helped his team reach the final, where they lost to West Germany. Despite the defeat, Goycochea’s reputation as a penalty-saving specialist was cemented. He went on to play for Argentina in the 1994 World Cup, but his performances were not as memorable as they were four years earlier.

Off the field, Goycochea has remained a popular figure in Argentina. He has worked as a television commentator and has been involved in various charitable causes.

Goycochea’s performances at the 1990 World Cup have also had an impact on the way goalkeepers are perceived in Argentina. Before Goycochea, Argentine goalkeepers were often seen as unreliable and prone to mistakes. Goycochea’s heroics helped change that perception, and he is now regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Argentine football history.

Overall, Sergio Goycochea’s legacy as a goalkeeper is defined by his performances at the 1990 World Cup. His penalty-saving heroics helped Argentina reach the final and cemented his reputation as a clutch performer. Off the field, he has remained a popular figure in Argentina and has had a lasting impact on the perception of goalkeepers in his home country.

Personal Life

Sergio Goycochea was born on October 17, 1963, in Lima, Argentina. He grew up with a passion for football and started playing at a young age. His talent as a goalkeeper was evident from an early stage, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become a prominent figure in Argentine football.

Off the field, Goycochea is known for his love of music. He is a talented drummer and has played in several bands throughout his life. He has also been known to play guitar and sing, showcasing his musical versatility.

In terms of his family life, Goycochea is a private person and has not shared much information about his personal relationships. However, it is known that he has been married and has children.

Despite his success in football, Goycochea has faced some challenges in his personal life. In 2009, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent treatment to overcome the disease. He has since become an advocate for cancer awareness and encourages others to get regular check-ups to catch the disease early.

Overall, while Goycochea’s personal life has had its ups and downs, he has remained dedicated to his passions and continues to be a respected figure in both the football and music worlds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Sergio Goycochea’s role in Argentina’s 1986 World Cup victory?

Sergio Goycochea was not part of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup winning team. He made his debut for the national team in 1987, a year after the World Cup victory.

How did Sergio Goycochea become a goalkeeper?

Sergio Goycochea started playing football as a forward in his youth. However, he switched to playing as a goalkeeper after his team’s regular goalkeeper got injured. Goycochea enjoyed the position and decided to pursue a career as a goalkeeper.

What was Sergio Goycochea’s playing style?

Sergio Goycochea was known for his agility, quick reflexes, and excellent shot-stopping abilities. He was also a good communicator and often directed his defense from the back.

What are some notable moments in Sergio Goycochea’s career?

Sergio Goycochea is best known for his performances in the 1990 World Cup, where he helped Argentina reach the final with his penalty-saving heroics. He also played a key role in Argentina’s Copa America triumphs in 1991 and 1993.

What are some challenges that Sergio Goycochea faced during his career?

Sergio Goycochea faced several challenges during his career, including injuries and competition for the starting goalkeeper position. He also struggled with alcoholism, which affected his performances on the pitch.

What is Sergio Goycochea doing now?

Sergio Goycochea retired from professional football in 1998 and has since worked as a TV pundit and commentator. He also runs a football academy in Argentina.