The Yellows’ goalkeeper received a spectacular tribute in the build-up to the match against Cádiz
Pepe Reina continues to add to his legend in the world of football. The groguet goalkeeper has reached his 1000th professional match after playing in this evening’s match against Cádiz at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Villarreal CF wanted to show their affection for the Yellow goalkeeper in the build-up to the match by displaying a spectacular banner in the stadium’s stand with a photo of him and the number of games he has played in his successful career. In addition, the club’s ambassador, Marcos Senna, and the goalkeeper’s family presented him with a ceramic sculpture consisting of bright yellow gloves. The work, entitled ‘Mano a mano’ (Hand in hand), is by local artist Ángel Igual.
A long, impressive trajectory
Pepe Reina made his professional debut with FC Barcelona B (41 appearances) and, since then, has been in goal for the Barcelona first team (49), Villarreal (178), Liverpool (394), Napoli (182), Bayern Munich (3), Milan (13), Aston Villa (12), Lazio (54) and the Spanish national team at various levels (74).
The Spanish international is now in his fourth season in goal with Villarreal. Reina, who made his debut for Villarreal in the 2002/03 season, quickly established himself as a regular starter and during the following 2003/04 and 2004/05 campaigns won two Intertoto Cups with the Submarine and achieved the club’s first-ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League. This season Reina has made 20 starts and has five clean sheets to his name.
With this spectacular record, Pepe Reina joins the select club of historic players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gianluigi Buffon, Xavi Hernández, Iker Casillas and Leo Messi, among others, who have surpassed the 1,000-match barrier as professionals.
