King Kahn

EVEN kings cannot be satisfied.
He was once voted as the ugliest footballer, sued a dildo manufacturer for using his name (Oli K) and even left his eight month pregnant wife Simone for a former barmaid Verena Kerth which led to a public outcry.
Personal stories aside, Oliver Kahn, stands tall (1.88m to be exact) as being one of the most influential goalkeepers of this era.
Kahn will be best remembered during the 2002 Japan-Korea World Cup, pocketing the Best Player and Yashin Award despite the likes of Brazilian star Ronaldo scoring eight goals throughout the tournament. Kahn only missed three goals throughout Germany's trip to the finals, two of which were scored by Brazil in the finals itself to win the cup.
However, ‘King Kahn’ will fail to leave the scene on a high note. Despite three appearances in the World Cup, Germany’s numero uno man has yet to feel the satisfaction of lifting the 18 carat, 36 cm and almost 5kg (4.97kg to be exact) trophy.
It was only in the 2002 edition Kahn played as the man between the posts for the national squad in the World Cup series. In 1998, Kahn was benched for then goalkeeper Andreas Kopke while the 2006 edition sees Arsenal’s main man Jens Lehmann holding the fort.
However, later this evening will be Kahn’s final appearance in the World Cup as the German side plays Portugal in the 3rd and 4th playoffs, en route to earning his 86th cap, thanks to the generosity of coach and former international Jurgen Klismann who was quoted saying it would be unfair to not give Kahn such an opportunity for the last time.
Once the Bundesliga commences, he will mark his 500th appearance with Bavarian club Bayern Munich, whom he has been with since the 1995/1996 season. Kahn is set to leave football for good within two years time.
While Kahn will not be able to end his career on a high note as he expected, he is and will be the most influential goalkeeper of all time. There are very few individuals have made an impact in the international scene- Columbia’s Rene Higuita (best known for his scorpion kick), Paraguay’s Jose Chilavert and Mexico’s legend Jorge Campos- and Kahn surely deserves to be among the best the world has ever seen.
All the best to King Kahn and hope he will be able to troop off Stugart Stadium later tonight on a clean sheet coupled with a standing ovation. Danke und gutes gluck Konig Kahn!

-The Man Who Sold The World-