Born:   10 May 1973 (age 46)

Korkuteli, Antalya, Turkey

Playing position:      Goalkeeper

Youth career

1985–1988          Korkutelispor

Senior career

1988–1991          Burdurgücü

1991–1993          Antalyaspor

1993–2003          Fenerbahçe

1993–1994          Antalyaspor (loan)

2003–2006          Barcelona

2004–2006          Fenerbahçe (loan)

2006–2007          Fenerbahçe

2007–2012          Beşiktaş

National team

1992–1993          Turkey U21

1994–2012          Turkey  120

Personal Life

Rüştü is married to Işıl Reçber and the couple has a son and a daughter. The couple first met in the period when Rüştü just signed for Fenerbahçe from Antalyaspor, in 1994. Rüştü used to be a Galatasaray supporter in his childhood. His son, Burak, born in 2007, plays football at Galatasaray academy.

In March 2020, Reçber tested positive for COVID-19 amidst the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. He was admitted to the hospital for care where he was put under isolation.

Style of play

Rüştü was renowned as a gifted shot-stopper, possessed an excellent positional sense. Using his height, he was also able to come up for high balls.  He also possessed strong reflexes and good deflecting ability. Known as a penalty stopper, his shoot-out performance against Croatia in the UEFA Euro 2008 quarter-finals was described as heroic by UEFA in 2015. He was featured in a UEFA Training Ground series video under the title of Rüştü’s Turkish Delight, in which he was described as a Master of Penalties. He was an eccentric goalkeeper, who also stood out for his charismatic personality. Physically, he was recognizable for his long hair and anti-glare paint under his eyes. He was also adept at taking goal kicks and clearing backpasses.

Professional Life

Rüştü Reçber is a retired Turkish international footballer and a current sports executive. During his professional career, he played as a goalkeeper for Antalyaspor, Fenerbahçe, Barcelona, and Beşiktaş.

Rüştü was part of the Turkish national squad that reached the semi-finals at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. At the former, where Turkey finished third, his performances saw him selected for the tournament’s all-star team. He is Turkey’s record appearance holder, having earned 120 cups. He made his debut against Iceland in 1994 and his final appearance came against Finland in 2012.

Rüştü was named the best goalkeeper in European competitions in 2002, selected for the 2002 UEFA Team of the Year by public vote. In 2004, he was selected to FIFA 100 by Pelé as one of the 125 best living footballers in the world.

Honors

As a Player in Fenerbahçe

Super League: 1995–96, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2006–07

Atatürk Cup: 1998

In Beşiktaş

Super League: 2008–09

Turkey Cup: 2008–09, 2010–11

In Turkey

FIFA World Cup Third-place: 2002

UEFA Euro Semi-finalist: 2008

FIFA Confederations Cup Third-place: 2003

Individual Awards

FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002

UEFA Team of the Year: 2002

IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year 2002: 3rd

IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the 21st Century: 23rd

FIFA 100