OLIVER KHAN

2002

It’s not often that a goalkeeper steals the headlines at a major tournament but that’s exactly what Oliver Kahn did at the 2002 World Cup, staged in South Korea and Japan.

The competition might be best remembered for the mercurial trio of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo weaving their magic for winners Brazil, but the displays of the Bayern Munich stalwart in the Germany goal meant he became the first gloveman ever to win the Golden Ball – the prize awarded to the tournament’s top player.

The 33-year-old had conceded just one goal en route to the final in Yokohama, when Robbie Keane’s last-minute strike for the Republic of Ireland earned them an unlikely group-stage point.

The four-time Bundesliga winner went on to produce a string of fine saves in 1-0 wins against Paraguay, the USA and co-hosts South Korea, but a rare fumble allowed Ronaldo to open the scoring in the final as Rudi Völler’s Mannschaft came up short against the Selecao.