Fernando Muslera

Néstor Fernando Muslera Micol (Spanish: [feɾˈnando muzˈleɾa]; born 16 June 1986) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Turkish club Galatasaray, whom he captains, and the Uruguay national team.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Muslera and the second or maternal family name is Micol.
Fernando Muslera
Muslera with Uruguay at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Néstor Fernando Muslera Micol
Date of birth (1986-06-16) 16 June 1986
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina[1]
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Galatasaray
Number 1
Youth career
2001–2004 Montevideo Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Montevideo Wanderers 44 (0)
2006–2007 → Nacional (loan) 5 (0)
2007–2011 Lazio 96 (0)
2011– Galatasaray 295 (1)
National team‡
2003 Uruguay U17 1 (0)
2004–2005 Uruguay U20 13 (0)
2009– Uruguay 116 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 November 2019

He is considered one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation and was ranked as high as sixth-best in the world by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics in 2011.[3]

Muslera began his career at Montevideo Wanderers and Nacional, moving to Lazio in 2007 where he won the 2009 Coppa Italia Final. In 2011, he was signed by Galatasaray for a fee of around €12 million, where he has since won honours which include 5 Süper Lig titles, 4 Turkish Cups and 4 Turkish Super Cups.

A full international since 2009, Muslera has earned over 110 caps for Uruguay. He has played in four Copa América tournaments, winning the title in 2011, and played every minute in goal for Uruguay as the country's undisputed number one in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cups, helping his nation to fourth place in the 2010 edition.

Club career

Uruguay

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Muslera moved to Montevideo where he began his professional football career with Montevideo Wanderers, having come through the club's youth system. After impressive performances for Wanderers, Uruguayan giants Nacional opted to take him on loan in 2007. After a display of successful performances, he began to attract attention from Europe, until he was signed by Lazio in 2007.

Lazio
Muslera playing for Lazio.

Lazio signed Muslera in August 2007 for a fee of approximately €3 million.[4] He made his debut for Lazio in a 3–1 home win against Cagliari on 16 September 2007, and made four more consecutive starts, the last which was a disastrous performance in Lazio's 1–5 home loss to Milan on 7 October, a match in which he was at fault on four of the five goals Lazio conceded. That result saw him benched in favour of 44-year-old Marco Ballotta. He remained as the second-choice for the remainder of the season, making only four more Serie A appearances and none in the UEFA Champions League. However, he did play all of Lazio's remaining Coppa Italia matches, putting in good performances.

Muslera signing autographs at the new kits' presentation on 8 July 2009.

Muslera began the 2008–09 season as second-choice goalkeeper behind new signing Juan Pablo Carrizo, but regained the starting spot in January 2009 following a run of poor form by Carrizo, coupled with conflicts with team management. Muslera's first starting appearance in the Serie A season saw him make several saves in a 3–1 loss to Sampdoria, including saving an Antonio Cassano penalty. Further impressive performances in away wins over Napoli and Genoa, as well as in his first ever Derby della Capitale against Roma, saw Muslera regain a considerable amount of faith he had lost the previous season.

Known to the Lazio fans as "Castorino", or the "little beaver", Muslera was also an integral part of the club's successful 2008–09 Coppa Italia campaign, making decisive saves against Milan and Juventus as Lazio reached the final for the first time in five seasons. In the final on 13 May 2009, Muslera saved two penalties as Lazio emerged victorious 6–5 in the shootout after the match ended 1–1 in extra time.[5]

The Uruguayan's impressive season saw him cement his position as the Roman club's first choice in the 2009–10 season, despite the arrival of Argentine goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri on a free transfer. Muslera played in goal as Lazio opened the season with a 2–1 win over 2008–09 Serie A champions Internazionale in the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana, played in Beijing.

Following his successful performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Uruguay, Muslera was voted the seventh-best goalkeeper in the world by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.[6]

2011–12 season
Muslera in an October 2011 match against Gaziantepspor

On 19 July 2011, Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray announced the signing of Muslera from Lazio on a five-year contract while he was on duty in the 2011 Copa América with Uruguay.[7] The transfer involved Lorik Cana moving in the opposite direction to Lazio, while Galatasaray also paid €6.75 million to Muslera's former club, Montevideo Wanderers,[8][9] which owned 50% of his playing rights. (However, Lazio valued the sale of Muslera for free (as termination of contract) as well as signing Cana for a peppercorn of €1 as a special accounting arrangement[10][11]) Muslera's contract saw him earn €2 million per year.[7][12]

On 5 November 2011, Muslera was selected the man of the match after saving his first penalty for Galatasaray in the match against Mersin İdmanyurdu, a 0–0 draw. On 8 April 2012, the last day of the 2011–12 Süper Lig season, Muslera scored his first career goal, a penalty against Manisaspor. He also broke a new club record for every foreign player scoring for Galatasaray in a single season. The same match also resulted in Muslera keeping his 19th clean sheet of the season, an all-time league record.[13]

2012–13 season

Muslera continued to become Galatasaray's first choice goalkeeper in 2012–13, playing in the first match of the season in a 2–1 league victory over Kasımpaşa. On 19 September 2012, he made his UEFA Champions League debut in a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Though Galatasaray lost the match 1–0, he saved a penalty from Nani. He kept his first clean sheet in the competition in a 1–0 victory against Manchester United at the Türk Telekom Arena. He played 33 league matches out of 34 with Galatasaray, who retained their league title.

2013–present

On 3 November 2013, Muslera suffered a fractured toe and therefore missed three Süper Lig and two Champions League matches.[14] However, he played 29 league matches out of 34.

At the end of the 2013–14 season, it was announced Muslera extended his contract until 2018, and would earn €2.75 million per season.[15]

Muslera played 31 matches as Galatasaray regained their league title, but was absent in their cup final victory over Bursaspor due to his commitments for the 2015 Copa América.[16]

In a league match against Çaykur Rizespor on 14 June 2020, Muslera suffered a double leg fracture as he collided with a Rizespor player in his box.[17]

International career
James Rodríguez (wearing number 10) scoring a goal for Colombia as Muslera looks on alongside his compatriots during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Muslera had been called up for the Uruguay national team on numerous occasions, but did not earn his first cap until 10 October 2009, when he started in Uruguay's 2–1 away win over Ecuador. The match was Uruguay's penultimate qualifier for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

2010 FIFA World Cup

Muslera made his World Cup debut against France on 11 June 2010, Uruguay's opening match of the tournament. He kept a clean sheet during all three of Uruguay's group matches (0–0 against France, 3–0 against South Africa and 1–0 against Mexico). In the round of 16, Uruguay faced South Korea; before the goal Uruguay conceded, Muslera had set a record for longest unbeaten goalkeeper in the World Cup. He was decisive in the quarter-final match against Ghana, where he saved two penalties at the penalty shootout. He was a key component of the Uruguay team that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and subsequently finished fourth in the tournament.

2011 Copa América

Muslera was called again by coach Óscar Tabárez to represent Uruguay as the first-choice goalkeeper at the 2011 Copa América, held in Argentina. He was selected man of the match in the quarter-final against Argentina in which Uruguay progressed on penalties, with Muslera saving a penalty from Carlos Tevez to win the match. Uruguay went on to win the Copa América title, defeating Paraguay 3–0 in the final. Muslera started every game and played in every minute of Uruguay’s successful cup campaign.

Later career

Muslera was Uruguay's first-choice goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Copa América, playing every minute as Uruguay reached the last 16 of the former and the quarter-finals of the latter. He similarly featured in all of Uruguay's games at the Copa América Centenario the following year, where they suffered a first round elimination.

In May 2018 Muslera was named in Uruguay's provisional 26-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[18] He later made the final 23-man squad, and in his nation's second match of the tournament on 20 June, a 1–0 win over Saudi Arabia, he equaled the record of Ladislao Mazurkiewicz for the most World Cup appearances by Uruguayan footballer, with 13 such appearances.[19][20] In his team's final group match on 25 June, a 3–0 win over hosts Russia on 25 June, he broke Mazurkiewicz's record with his 14th World Cup appearance for Uruguay, also making his 100th appearance for his country in the same match, marking the occasion with his third consecutive clean sheet of the tournament.[21][22][23] In the quarter-final match against France on 6 July, Uruguay were defeated 2–0; the second goal of the match arose after Muslera mishandled Antoine Griezmann's strike from outside the area.[24]

On 6 September 2019, Muslera made his first appearance as Uruguay's captain, starting in a 2–1 friendly away win against Costa Rica.[25][26]

Style of play

An acrobatic goalkeeper, Muslera is mainly known for his excellent shot-stopping and ability in the air.[27]

Career statistics
As of 29 January 2021[28][29][30]

Club
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup Continental[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Montevideo Wanderers 2004 20—20
2005 290—290
2005–06 00—00
2006–07 130—130
Total 440—440
Nacional 2006–07 40—40
2007–08 10—10
Total 50—50
Lazio 2007–08 9040—130
2008–09 15060—210
2009–10 36020—4010430
2010–11 36000—360
Total 960120—40101130
Galatasaray 2011–12 39100—391
2012–13 33000—1001[lower-alpha 3]0440
2013–14 29030—601[lower-alpha 3]0390
2014–15 32010—501[lower-alpha 3]0390
2015–16 33060—801[lower-alpha 3]0480
2016–17 34000—1[lower-alpha 3]0350
2017–18 33030—20—380
2018–19 33030—801[lower-alpha 3]0450
2019–20 26020—601[lower-alpha 3]0350
2020–21 3000—00—30
Total 2951180—450703651
Career total 440130000490805271
  1. Includes Coppa Italia and Turkish Cup
  2. Includes UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearance in Turkish Super Cup

International
As of 21 January 2021[31]
Uruguay
YearAppsGoals
200940
2010120
2011150
2012100
2013140
2014110
2015110
2016110
201760
2018110
2019110
202000
202100
Total1160

Honours

Club

Nacional[32]

  • Liguilla: 2007

Lazio[32]

Galatasaray[32]

International
Uruguay[32]

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Fernando Muslera, el arquero de Uruguay en la Copa América 2011 - Copa América 2011 - eltiempo.com - futbolred.com" (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  2. "2018 FIFA World Cup: List of players" (PDF). FIFA. 18 June 2018. p. 32.
  3. fanatik. "Spor Haberlerinde Son Dakika Gelişmeler - Fanatik". fanatik.com.tr. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. "Bilancio separato e consolidato S.S.Lazio SpA" (PDF) (in Italian). SS Lazio. 23 October 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  5. Muslera the hero as Lazio win Italian Cup on penalties – Yahoo! Eurosportgoooll, 5/13/09
  6. "Hürriyet - Haberler, Son Dakika Haberleri ve Güncel Haber". Hürriyet. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  7. Galatasaray (19 July 2011). "Muslera'nın Transferine İlşikin Açıklama (2011-2012 sezonundan başmak üzere 5 futbol sezonu için)" (Press release) (in Turkish). Turkish Public Disclosure System. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  8. Milliyet – 51 milyonluk kaleci Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Bu eller 20 milyon euro". Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  10. "Bilancio S.S. Lazio al 30 giugno 2011" (PDF) (in Italian). S.S. Lazio. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  11. "Bilancio S.S. LAZIO S.p.A. al 30 giugno 2012" (PDF) (in Italian). S.S. Lazio. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  12. "Official: Galatasaray sign Fernando Muslera from Lazio on five-year deal - Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  13. "Muslera keeps 19 clean sheets in 32 games". Turkish-football.com. 8 April 2012. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  14. "Uruguay keeper Muslera injured, out of World Cup playoff". Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  15. "KAP". kap.gov.tr. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  16. Baş, Hakan (2 June 2015). "Galatasaray looks to complete a double in Ziraat Turkish Cup final". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  17. "Fernando Muslera suffers double leg break as Brighton loanee Florin Andone injures knee in Galatasaray's first game back amid coronavirus pandemic". talk sport. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  18. "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists - Goal.com". Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  19. Ditlhoholo, Augustin (21 June 2018). "KFC Moments of the Day: Fernando Muslera equals old tournament record, Cristiano Ronaldo nets historic goal". Goal. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  20. Steve Sutcliffe (20 June 2018). "Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  21. Jack Tarrant (25 June 2018). "Muslera earns 100th cap for Uruguay against Russia". Reuters. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  22. Henry Bushnell (25 June 2018). "Russia reverts to form, Uruguay storms to top of World Cup Group A". FC Yahoo. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  23. Stephen Mills (25 June 2018). "Uruguay 3-0 Russia: Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani snatch top spot in World Cup Group A". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  24. Bevan, Chris (6 July 2018). "Uruguay 0 France 2". Nizhny Novgorod: BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  25. "Muslera es capitán de la selección mayor por primera vez ingresando como titular". Twitter.com. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  26. "Costa Riva vs. Uruguay 1–2". ESPN FC. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  27. Tighe, Sam (28 June 2015). "Ranking the Top 50 Players at the 2015 Copa America". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  28. "Muslera, Fernando". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  29. "NESTOR FERNANDO MUSLERA". Turkish Football Federation. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  30. "Nestor Fernando Muslera Micol". Mackolik.com. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  31. "Muslera, Fernando". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  32. "F. Muslera". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  33. "IFFHS' World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year 2010". 6 March 2012.
  34. "IFFHS' World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year 2011". 14 March 2013.
  35. Sporx. "Kalecinin kralları - Futbol Dünya Futbolu - Sayfa 2 Sporx Galeri". Sporx.com. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  36. New Record! – Muslera keeps 16 clean sheets in 32 games – Soccer News – Turkish Football Archived 19 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  37. "Sporun Oscar gecesi - Spor Haberleri". 23 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 March 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Selçuk İnan		 Galatasaray captain
2020–		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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