Spider Man

French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez kisses the FIFA Trophy 12 July at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, after France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final to win its first-ever title. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS

Fabien Barthez is one of the most exciting and charismatic goalkeepers in action today who has played a key part in helping his clubs and his country achieve outstanding success.

French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez (C) dives for the ball next to teammate defender Bixente Lizarazu (R), 12 July during the 1998 World Cup final match Brazil vs France at the stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO PASCAL GEORGE

Instantly recognisable with his bald head and close-cut beard, the Frenchman is also one of the most mobile, unpredictable and imaginative keepers, whose great vision and speed can turn a match in an instant.

The decisive and brilliant left-foot clearance to send Thierry Henry clear in France's match against Saudi Arabia during the 1998 World Cup was a classic example of his natural ability to play a pro-active role in the team.

But the mercurial side of his nature often gets the better of him, and when he is tempted to stray too far from his goal, disaster often looms.

Luck

Barthez was initially kept out of the French national team by Bernard Lama, and had to settle for the number two spot at Euro 96 in England.

But when Lama's place in the team went up in a puff of smoke with a two teat ban for testing positive for cannabis, Barthez seized his chance.

French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez goes for the ball during a training session with Toulouse FC in Toulouse, 06 March 1992.

The Frenchman had spent his early years at Toulouse, where he is now patron of the club's youth training centre) and he played his first top-flight match on September 22 against Nancy (1-1).

Marseille supremo Bernard Tapie took a fancy to him during a match against Toulouse and a year later Barthez was heading for the Mediterranean.

His first season was a sensation as Marseille swept to the European Champions League with a memorable victory over Marco van Basten's AC Milan.

Loyal

When Marseille were relegated to the second division after being caught up in a match-fixing scandal in 1994, Barthez stayed loyal to his club.

But in 1995 he joined Monaco and helped guide them to the French championship in 1997 and 2000.

French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez (R) stops a shot by Spanish forward Alfonso during the Euro 2000 quarter-final match between France and Spain in Bruges 25 June 2000. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) EPA PHOTO / OLIVER BERG

French International goalkeeper Fabien Barthez answers questions 31 May 2000 during a press conference at the headquarters of Manchester United. Fabien Barthez earlier today signed for English champions Manchester United, who confirmed that an agreement was reached with AS Monaco for a fee of 7.8 million pounds (11.7 millions US dollars) payable on June 1 - a British record for a keeper.

Barthez' remarkable sense of anticipation and his innate handling skills soon tempted Manchester United, and just before the Euro 2000 competition the Frenchman signed a six-year contract with the northern English club.

United paid 11.5 million dollars (12.6 million euros) for Barthez, but boss Alex Ferguson must have been smiling contentedly to himself as the spider-like Barthez skittered around the French goal-area, inspiring his team with his supreme technique.

le gardien de but monégasque Fabien Barthez (G) discute avec sa compagne Linda Evangelista (D), le 25 avril 1999 lors de la finale du tournoi de tennis de Monte-Carlo. Le Brésilien, Gustavo Kuerten, tête de série n·13, remporte le tournoi après l'abandon du Chilien, Marcelo Rios, Kuerten menant 6-4, 2-1 au moment de l'abandon de Rios, en raison d'une blessure à la cuisse droite. (IMAGE NUMERIQUE)

France's victories in the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships made Barthez a star, and he joined the ranks of the other beautiful people gracing glossy magazines, accompanied by top model Linda Evangelista.

The 2002 World Cup in Asia was not a happy hunting ground for Barthez, although the Frenchman was one of only a handful of players to emerge from the debacle with his reputation intact.

Despite helping United to another title in 2003, Alex Ferguson relegated Barthez to the subs bench the following season and after an inactive period, he returned to former club Marseille on loan.

After helping Marseille to the UEFA Cup final in 2004, where they lost 3-0 to Valencia, he signed a contract that runs until June 2006 with his beloved club.