Meet the five soccer players that are truly globetrotters
Most soccer players tend to play in only a few countries in their careers. The players in this article traveled all over the world as professional soccer players.
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and many players dream of playing at the highest level in their home countries. However, for some players, the allure of playing in new countries, experiencing different cultures, and testing their skills against different styles of play is too strong to resist. These players are often referred to as "globetrotters" - they travel the world in search of new challenges, new opportunities, and new experiences.
In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of globetrotters in soccer, looking at some of the famous and also much lesser known players to have played in multiple countries.
Lutz Pfannenstiel
Lutz Pfannenstiel is a retired German goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the most well-traveled footballers in history and the true globetrotter of this list.
Born on May 12, 1973, in Germany, Pfannenstiel began his professional career at lower-league club FC Bad Kötzting.
After two years of playing in Germany Pfannenstiel began his journey as a globetrotter, playing for more than 25 clubs across six continents. He played in countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Africa, among others. Pfannenstiel's travels also saw him break a number of records, including becoming the first player to play professionally in all six FIFA Confederations.
During his career, Pfannenstiel faced a number of challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and adapting to different styles of play. However, he embraced these challenges and used them to develop his skills and grow as a player. He was known for his agility, quick reflexes, and excellent shot-stopping abilities, which made him a valuable asset to every team he played for.
After retiring from professional football in 2011, Pfannenstiel has worked as a coach and football consultant, helping to develop young players and promote the sport in countries such as Cuba and Namibia. Currently Pfannenstiel is working as a General Manager for MLS team St. Louis SC.
This is the impressive list of clubs that Pfannenstiel played for (source: Wikipedia):
| Senior career* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1993 | 1. FC Bad Kötzting | 68 | (0) |
| 1993–1994 | Penang FA | 12 | (0) |
| 1994–1995 | Wimbledon | 0 | (0) |
| 1995–1997 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | (0) |
| 1996–1997 | → Orlando Pirates (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 1997 | TPV | 8 | (0) |
| 1997 | FC Haka | 0 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Wacker Burghausen | 14 | (0) |
| 1999–2000 | Geylang United | 46 | (0) |
| 2001 | Dunedin Technical | 18 | (0) |
| 2001–2002 | → Bradford Park Avenue (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2001–2002 | Huddersfield Town | 0 | (0) |
| 2002 | Dunedin Technical | 18 | (0) |
| 2002 | ASV Cham | 12 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | → Bradford Park Avenue (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2003 | Dunedin Technical | 18 | (0) |
| 2003 | → Bærum SK (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2004 | Calgary Mustangs | 28 | (0) |
| 2004–2006 | Otago United | 36 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Vllaznia Shkodër | 14 | (0) |
| 2007 | Bentonit Ijevan | 12 | (0) |
| 2007 | Bærum SK | 9 | (0) |
| 2007 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 4 | (0) |
| 2008 | Hermann Aichinger | 24 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Flekkerøy IL | 14 | (0) |
| 2009 | Manglerud Star | 11 | (0) |
| 2009–2011 | Ramblers | 45 | (0) |
| Total | 477 | (0) | |
Rivaldo
Rivaldo is a retired Brazilian footballer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Born on April 19, 1972, in Paulista, Brazil, Rivaldo began his professional career in 1991 at Santa Cruz in Brazil.
Throughout his career, Rivaldo played for over 20 clubs in 11 different countries, including Spain, Greece, and Uzbekistan, among others. He was known for his technical skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability, which made him a dominant force in every team he played for.
Rivaldo's travels saw him play for both club and national teams. He was part of the Brazil national team that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring five goals during the tournament.
During his career, Rivaldo played for some of the most prestigious clubs in the world, including Barcelona, Milan, and Olympiacos. He won several domestic league titles and cups with his clubs, and he was known for his outstanding performances in important matches.
Sebastian Abreu
He is best known for his record of appearing for 32 teams in 11 countries during his professional career. Nicknamed Loco (Madman in Spanish), the prolific scorer for club and national team initially retired in 2021.
Throughout his career, Abreu played for over 30 clubs in 11 different countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Mexico, among others. He was known for his goal-scoring ability and his ability to score important goals in crucial moments.
Abreu's travels saw him play for both club and national teams. He was part of the Uruguay national team that won the Copa America in 2011, and he also played in several FIFA World Cup tournaments, including the 2002, 2010, and 2014 editions.
Abreu is also known for his unique goal celebration rituals, which included performing the salsa dance, wearing a mask, and even pretending to take a sniper shot. His colorful personality and eccentric behavior made him a fan favorite wherever he played.
André Krul
Krul began his professional career in 2007 with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. He also played for several other Dutch clubs, including Telstar, Sparta, and AGOVV.
However, Krul is best known for his career as a globetrotting footballer, playing in a number of countries around the world. Throughout his career, Krul played for over 20 clubs in 10 different countries, including Malta, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Australia and Japan, among others. He was known for his quick reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and his ability to communicate well with his defenders.
Krul's travels saw him play for both club and national teams. He played for the Netherlands U-21 team in two international matches. However, he did not earn any caps for the senior national team.
Diego Forlan
Born on May 19, 1979, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Forlán began his professional career in 1998 at Independiente in Argentina.
Throughout his career, Forlán played for over 10 clubs in 6 different countries, including Argentina, England, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and Japan. He was known for his impressive goal-scoring ability, technical skill, and excellent shooting technique. He was also praised for his versatility, playing as a striker or as an attacking midfielder.
Forlán's travels saw him play for both club and national teams. He was part of the Uruguay national team that won the Copa America in 2011, and he also won the Golden Ball award at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he helped lead Uruguay to the semi-finals.
Forlán's most successful stint came at Atletico Madrid, where he won the UEFA Europa League twice and the UEFA Super Cup. He also won the Pichichi Trophy as the top scorer in La Liga in the 2008-09 season, scoring 32 goals for the season.
