 | FACTFILE Born: 15/06/69 Club: Bayern Munich Position: Goalkeeper Debut: 23/06/95 v Switzerland |
Germany skipper Oliver Kahn is arguably the most influential goalkeeper in world football. His fierce aggression and spectacular agility inspired the side all the way to the final of the 2002 World Cup.
However, a high-profile mistake in that final defeat to Brazil and 18 months of lurid tabloid headlines have seen him lose his air of invincibility.
Despite a public war of words with understudy Jens Lehmann, Kahn is favourite to retain the gloves.
The Bayern Munich keeper has expressed his desire to remain between the sticks for his country until the World Cup in 2010, when he will be 40.
With Lehmann and young pretender Timo Hildebrand breathing down his neck, his performance in Portugal will go a long way to determining whether that dream will be fulfilled.
Did you know? Kahn became the first goalkeeper to be voted player of the tournament by the media at World Cup 2002.
MMIX
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