Sports Nicknames - Le Divin Chauve, Medusa Barthez

Fabian Barthez was one of the finest Goalkeepers in football history who later took up Motorsport as his second love after football. He is a former professional footballer who won the World Cup, the Euro Cup, and the Confederations Cup with France.



Barthez started his career with the French football club, Toulouse in 1990. In 1992 he moved to Marseille and won the 1993 UEFA Champions League Title with them. Later, he also played for Monaco and Manchester United before returning to Olympique Marseille. He won two premier league titles with Manchester United in 2000-01 and 2002-03.


Nicknames:

Fabien Barthez enjoyed a number of interesting and impressive nicknames for various reasons.

Le Divin Chauve

This nickname is a result of Barthez's interesting appearances and his trademark look as he maintained a clean-shaved bald head. Le Divin Chauve literally means "The Divine Bald One."

Fabulous Fab:

This nickname is purely based on Barthez's marvelous performances and achievements. If a player can maintain 10 clean sheets in World Cup competitions, he surely is fabulous. Moreover, the fact that he won Ligue 1, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro Cup, and FIFA Confederation Cup speaks for how fabulous Barthez was.

Medusa Barthez:

The nickname Medusa Barthez is a tribute to Barthez's goalkeeping skills. In Greek origins, Medusa is a symbol that is used to protect against negative powers and effects. Moreover, the symbol also eliminates and wards off negativity. Since Barthez had this incredible ability to keep the opposition's ball away from the goal, he was nicknamed Medusa Barthez as he always found a way to avoid negativity and maintain clean sheets.



An Impressive International Career:

While he had an impressive club career, he had his prime time at the international level as he remained France's main goalkeeper between 1994 and 2006. He was a key member of the French Squad that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Later, the team won the 2000 UEFA European Championship and FIFA Confederations cup in 2003. On all these occasions, he was the main keeper of the side and contributed greatly to the team's success while maintaining clean sheets on most occasions. He was also France's keeper in the runners-up finish at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.


Individual Awards:

On an individual level, he was the keeper of the 1998 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. He was also included in the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament 2000.

He is the second most capped (87 Caps) Goalkeeper for the French football team and also holds the record for most appearances (17) for France at the World Cup.

He also shares the record for maintaining the most number of clean-sheets in World Cup matches with 10 clean sheets.


Retirement:

Barthez retired from International Football after the 2006 FIFA World Cup final and played his last Professional Game in 2007.

Following his retirement, Barthez started a new career in motor racing at specific events in Porsche Carrera Cup France.


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