Rogério Ceni’s 100th goal | OneFootball

On March 27, 2011, Rogério Ceni scored his 100th goal in a São Paulo shirt in a match against Corinthians at Arena Barueri in the Campeonato Paulista, won by Tricolor 2-1. The world had never witnessed such a feat before — and still has not seen it again: a goalkeeper reaching 100 goals in a professional career!

Photo: Luiz Pires Dias

The achievement, highlighted internationally and still remembered today as a source of pride and an example of dedication and perseverance, was the result of a career entirely devoted to hard work and São Paulo Futebol Clube. The journey to the hundredth goal began back in 1997. In the countryside of São Paulo, in Araras, Rogério Ceni took the first free kick that resulted in a goal, in Tricolor’s win over União São João.

From then until the fateful goal that forever wrote Rogério Ceni’s name into history, 80 goalkeepers had been beaten and 52 clubs had been overcome. But the captain, who joined the club in 1990 and made his official debut in 1993, needed 965 matches between Tricolor’s posts to achieve that feat. A goalkeeper with the incredible average of virtually one goal every ten matches.

Infographics by Diário Lance!

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos: Rubens Chiri / saopaulofc.net

THE GOAL

With São Paulo already leading Corinthians 1-0 (Dagoberto scored in the first half), São Paulo kept pressing their opponent to extend the scoreline. In the 7th minute, Carlinhos Paraíba found Fernandinho, well positioned at the edge of the box. The forward received the ball, turned, got past one marker and was brought down by a foul challenge from another.

That was the cue for the fans to celebrate in advance and chant Rogério Ceni’s name for the kick. The captain calmly stepped up. On his mind, of course, was the chance to seal the 100th goal of his career in a derby, no less.

Focused, Ceni probably paid no attention to Rivaldo and Carlinhos standing beside him, discussing something now lost to time. The goalkeeper simply placed the ball on the foam circle marked by the referee and studied the wall of opponents. Then three steps back, four to the left, and he went for the strike…

It was 8 minutes and 34 seconds into the second half. Goal. A stunning, unstoppable strike. The 100th goal by the goal-scoring goalkeeper, Rogério Ceni.

THE CELEBRATION

All of that would already have been enough for an unforgettable career finale. But it was not enough. Tireless, Rogério kept breaking records and piling up achievements. He reached 1,000 matches for São Paulo in that same 2011 season. By the end of his journey, in 2015, he had reached 131 goals, 1,237 matches, and 18 titles.

MATCH DETAILS

03/27/2011Campeonato Paulista: First Stage (Single Round Robin). Barueri (SP), Orlando Batista Noveli Municipal Stadium – Arena Barueri.

SÃO PAULO Futebol Clube 2 x 1 Sport Club CORINTHIANS Paulista

SPFC: Rogério Ceni; Rhodolfo, Alex Silva and Miranda; Jean, Rodrigo Souto (Casemiro, 37/2), Carlinhos Paraíba, Ilsinho (Marlos, 25/2) and Junior Cesar; Dagoberto and Fernandinho (Rivaldo, 42/2). HEAD COACH: Paulo César Carpegiani. GOALS: Dagoberto, 39/1; Rogério Ceni (free kick), 8/2. SENT OFF: Dagoberto, 23/2.

SCCP: Júlio César; Alessandro, Chicão, Leandro Castán and Fábio Santos (Danilo, 39/2); Ralf, Paulinho and Morais (Ramirez, 15/2); Jorge Henrique (Willian, 15/2), Dentinho and Liedson. HEAD COACH: Tite. GOAL: Dentinho, 22/2. SENT OFF: Alessandro, 18/2; Dentinho, 28/2.

REFEREE: Guilherme Ceretta de Lima. ASSISTANT REFEREES: Celso Barbosa de Oliveira and Carlos Alberto Funari. GATE RECEIPTS: R$ 449,201.00. ATTENDANCE: 17,633 paid

By Michael Serra / João Farah Historical Archive

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.