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Goalscoring in the Chinese Super League during the 2000s followed a familiar theme: foreigners dominated it. The media and fans were not immune to reminiscing about Hao Haidong, who finished in the top three on the scoring chart year after year. For when the Qingdao native was in his prime, it was a different story. … Read more

Goalkeeper Rene Higuita was an inspired, eccentric, and trailblazing player who played for several South American club teams and the Colombian national team. Although he is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers to wear the gloves in Colombia, he is best known for one thing and one thing only: his scorpion kick. The Scorpion Kick … Read more

There are many professions where the proverbial baton is passed from generation to generation, and soccer is no exception. And when it comes to sons emulating their fathers’ success, the case of the Chapuisat family is as fine an example as any. Pierre-Albert Chapuisat won 34 caps for Switzerland in the late 1970s and early … Read more

Dino Zoff, the former goalkeeper made 570 appearances in Italy’s Serie A from his debut on 24 September 1961 up until his retirement on 2 June 1983. An unassuming man, he enjoyed a hugely successful career at both club and international level. Zoff also made 332 consecutive Italian top-flight appearances for Juventus, without a single … Read more

Brazilian soccer player Claudio Taffarel played as a goalkeeper. He played professional soccer for five clubs in Brazil and Europe during an 18-year career. His senior career began with Internacional in 1985, while his later clubs were Parma, Reggiana, Atlético Mineiro, and Galatasaray. After a second stint with Parma in Italy, his career ended in … Read more

Algerian soccer fans had their own Zidane, long before Zinedine Zidane burst onto the scene in France. Djamel Zidane was an inspiration to the illustrious Frenchman in his formative years. His Kabyle ancestry explains his two-footed appearance. A great deal like his French namesake, he is equally dangerous with the ball and equally comfortable in … Read more

The 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy was a tournament remembered more for tactical and defensive discipline than attacking flair. Yet, there was one side that managed to add some much-needed color to proceedings. Given little chance by the experts of making an impression on their first appearance in the competition, unfancied Costa Rica surprised … Read more

Olaf Thon recalls: “I still remember Peter Shilton not diving towards the corner until the previous penalties from Riedle, Matthaus, and Brehme had already gone in.” So I said to myself: “Come on, son, just hit the target, nothing too precise, nothing too risky’, and that’s what I did. He went the right way, but … Read more

Toni Polster joined the History Of Soccer team for an exclusive interview to look back at his glittering career, and he still looked as confident and composed as he was in front of goal during his playing days. In his long career as a goal scorer Toni, known to fans as ‘Twin Pack Toni’ because … Read more

The name Lily Parr, who played football, may be familiar to people. Most people do not know her story or influence, or, more importantly, how it pertains to the story of women’s soccer. Born in St. Helens in 1905, Lily Parr was a striking figure and a remarkable woman who led a remarkable life. With … Read more