It was not so long ago that Brazilian goalkeepers were a rarity in Europe. Considered as unreliable as their outfield countrymen were talented, the performances of one man did more than most to dispel that stereotype and open the door for Auriverde custodians to enjoy European success.

That man was Claudio Andre Taffarel, Brazil keeper at three consecutive FIFA World Cup finals™ and subject of a 1990 transfer to Italian side Parma. With clubs only allowed to field three foreign players at the time, that Parma should "waste" one of those coveted spots on a goalkeeper, and a Brazilian one at that, was considered an act of sheer folly.

Taffarel's success on Italian soil soon silenced any doubters. Indeed, his assured performances were indirectly responsible for AC Milan taking a gamble on a Brazilian keeper named Dida a few years later, one that paid off handsomely when his penalty shoot-out heroics helped them to UEFA Champions League glory in 2003.

Since then, the safe hands of Julio Cesar have been crucial to Inter Milan winning three consecutive Scudetti, and four successive Dutch league titles for PSV custodian Heurelho Gomes recently earned him a big-money switch to London side Tottenham. And with up-and-coming young custodians such as Almeria's Diego Alves or Liverpool prospect Diego Cavalieri beginning to make an impact on the Old Continent, Taffarel's compatriots have a lot to thank him for.

From the pitch to the marketplace
Now 42, Taffarel continues to be held in high esteem both in Brazil and his adopted country Italy, dividing his time between the two football-mad nations. And having agonized long and hard about how to stay involved in the beautiful game after putting away his gloves, he joined forces with his erstwhile Atletico Mineiro team-mate Paulo Roberto to start up a player agency, with the focus mainly on promising youngsters.