Fernando Muslera, Galatasaray's legendary Uruguayan goalkeeper, will play his final match in the yellow-red jersey in the RAMS Başakşehir game, scheduled for the 38th and final week of the Trendyol Super Lig. This historic moment will be an unforgettable farewell match for Galatasaray fans. Muslera’s 14-year career at Galatasaray will come to an end, marking one of the most significant milestones in the club's history.
Muslera, who was transferred from Lazio in the summer of 2011, has been not only a goalkeeper but also one of the key leaders of the team since his arrival. Over the 14 years he spent at Galatasaray, Muslera achieved many successes and secured his place among the club’s legends. During this time, he contributed significantly to the club’s 8 Süper Lig titles, Turkish Cup victories, and Super Cup wins, leaving behind a great legacy.
14 Years at Galatasaray: 550 Matches and 8 Championships
Fernando Muslera has made a great impact during his 14 seasons at Galatasaray, becoming one of the club’s key figures. Playing in 550 matches, Muslera contributed to the team’s success by helping win 8 Süper Lig titles. His performances on the field have been crucial for Galatasaray’s achievements, and his leadership in the dressing room has been a constant source of inspiration. Muslera’s contributions to the club go beyond just winning titles; he has been integral to the team’s identity and spirit.
Muslera’s success is not limited to Galatasaray. He has made significant contributions to Turkish football and will be remembered as one of the most successful foreign players to have played in the Süper Lig.
19 Trophies in Turkey
Fernando Muslera has won a total of 19 trophies during his career at Galatasaray. He helped his team win 8 Süper Lig titles, 6 TFF Super Cups, and 5 Turkish Cups. As a foreign player, Muslera holds the record for the most trophies won with Galatasaray. His exceptional skills and contributions to the club have made him one of the most successful goalkeepers in the history of Turkish football.
Muslera’s achievements with the team have been monumental. His goalkeeping ability, combined with his leadership, helped Galatasaray achieve unprecedented success in Turkish football. He will forever be remembered as a key figure in the club’s history.
The Foreign Player with the Most Matches in Süper Lig
Muslera holds the title of the foreign player with the most matches played in the Süper Lig. With a total of 442 league matches, Muslera is the foreign player who has played the most matches in the Süper Lig. He is followed by Edin Visca from Trabzonspor, who has played 408 matches, and Gökçek Vederson from Fenerbahçe, who played 335 matches. Muslera’s remarkable achievement shows his consistency and longevity at the highest level of Turkish football.
Galatasaray's Player with the Most League Matches
Muslera also holds the title of the player with the most league matches in Galatasaray's history. At 38 years old, he surpassed Bülent Korkmaz’s record by playing his 429th league match against TÜMOSAN Konyaspor in the 21st week of the 2022-2023 Süper Lig season. Muslera’s achievement of surpassing Korkmaz, who held the previous record, further cements his place as one of the greatest players in Galatasaray’s history.
Breaking Taffarel and Mondragón’s Records
Muslera has broken the records for the most clean sheets in a season, previously held by legendary Galatasaray goalkeepers Claudio Taffarel and Faryd Mondragón. In the 2011-2012 season, Muslera played 32 matches in the regular season and managed to keep a clean sheet in 16 of them, surpassing both Taffarel and Mondragón. In the 2023-2024 season, Muslera improved upon his own record by keeping a clean sheet in 17 matches, solidifying his place as one of the best goalkeepers Galatasaray has ever had.
The Goalkeeper with the Most Championships in Süper Lig
Muslera holds the record for the most Süper Lig titles won by a goalkeeper in history. With his 8th league victory this season, Muslera continues to hold the record for the most Süper Lig championships by a goalkeeper. This record was previously held by Şenol Güneş, the legendary goalkeeper of Trabzonspor.
194 Clean Sheets in 550 Matches
In his 550 matches for Galatasaray, Muslera has conceded 592 goals. However, he has managed to keep a clean sheet in 194 of these matches, an impressive record for a goalkeeper. In the remaining 356 matches, Muslera was unable to prevent opponents from scoring. His ability to perform at the highest level for such a long period is a testament to his skill and consistency.
Two Goals to His Name
In addition to his remarkable goalkeeping performances, Muslera has scored two goals for Galatasaray. His first goal came during the 2011-2012 season in the 34th week, when he scored a penalty against Manisaspor in a 4-0 victory. His second goal came in the 36th week of the 2023 season, when he again scored from the penalty spot against Bellona Kayserispor, marking his second career goal for Galatasaray.
Five Presidents and Nine Managers During His Galatasaray Career
During his 14 years at Galatasaray, Muslera worked under five different presidents and nine different managers. Muslera joined Galatasaray during Ünal Aysal’s presidency and worked with presidents Duygun Yarsuvat, Mustafa Cengiz, Burak Elmas, and Dursun Özbek. Throughout his time at the club, Muslera also worked under many legendary managers, including Fatih Terim, Roberto Mancini, Cesare Prandelli, Hamza Hamzaoğlu, Mustafa Denizli, Jan Olde Riekerink, Igor Tudor, Domenec Torrent, and Okan Buruk.
Building a Family in Istanbul
After moving to Istanbul, Muslera settled down and started a family. In January 2016, he married his fiancée Patricia Callero, and in November 2017, they welcomed a son, Kailash Muslera. In October 2019, they had a daughter, Tiziana, and in June 2022, they were blessed with another daughter, Dominique. Muslera’s life in Istanbul with his family adds a personal touch to his legacy at Galatasaray.
Conclusion
Fernando Muslera is not only one of Galatasaray’s most important players but also one of the most iconic figures in Turkish football. His legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics and records; it includes his leadership, dedication, and passion for the game. As he plays his final match for Galatasaray, the fans will remember him not only for his incredible goalkeeping skills but also for the love and loyalty he has shown to the club throughout his career. Muslera’s departure marks the end of an era, but his contributions to Galatasaray’s history will never be forgotten
