Preud’Homme Michel
Michel Georges Jean Ghislain Preud’Homme, commonly known as Michel Preud’homme, is a former Belgian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was considered one of the world’s best and most consistent goalkeepers during his career; he was the first winner of the Yashin Award as the best goalkeeper at the 1994 World Cup. On club level, Preud’homme played for Standard Liège, Mechelen and Benfica. With Mechelen, he won the Belgian Cup in 1987, the Cup Winner’s Cup and the European Super Cup in 1988 and the Belgian league title in 1989. He also won the Portuguese Cup with Benfica in 1996. He retired as a player in 1999, aged 40. For Belgium, Preud’homme was capped 58 times, from 1979 to 1995. Other than the 1994 World Cup, he also played in the 1990 edition.
Did you Know?
Preud’homme moved to Benfica in 1994, becoming the first foreign goalkeeper in Benfica history. He made his debut on 21 August, against Beira-Mar. On 18 May 1996, Michel won his first trophy in Portuguese football as Benfica defeated Lisbon rivals Sporting 3–1 in the Portuguese Cup final.[5] For his outstanding performances and almost impossible saves, he was nicknamed by Benfica fans “Saint Michel”. On 10 August 1999, Preud’homme played his last match, an off season friendly against Bayern Munchen. After his retirement, at the age of 40, Preud’homme became Benfica’s Director of International Relations before he started his own manager’s career.
