Goalkeeping Is A Thankless Job

To say Carlos Roa has faced obstacles over the course of his life and professional career would be a huge understatement, with the former Argentina No1, whose star shone brightest for Mallorca and La Albiceleste in the late 1990s, alternating sporting success with immense personal setbacks.

Now 42, the Santa Fe-born ex-shotstopper overcame such varied and testing challenges as malaria, testicular cancer and even a brief retirement from the game for religious reasons. Currently working as goalkeeping coach at Buenos Aires giants River Plate, Roa touched on all of these life-changing events and more in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.

You dropped off the radar somewhat after retiring from the professional game, so can you tell us how you ended up on the River Plate coaching staff?

It was unexpected. Matias [Almeyda] rang me at half past one in the morning, on the weekend that River’s relegation was confirmed, and offered me a place on his coaching staff. It was fantastic! I got on very well with him [when we were part of the Argentina squad] at the 1998 World Cup and, though we weren’t close friends, we’d always have a chat whenever we saw each other. I’ve been very happy ever since this opportunity came about and every day I’m discovering more and more about el mundo River (River Plate’s world), which is really impressive.

What’s it like coaching young goalkeepers?

I learn from them too. You have to adapt to their freshness, their spontaneity and the lively exchange of ideas. They ask me things about my past but I never use myself as an example. With this generation, the worst thing you can do is go around boasting about what you’ve done over your career. These lads have more talent than me, as I was a keeper with very limited ability. I was a late developer, which is why I didn’t get a move to Europe until I was 28. These guys, if they’re committed enough, can go much further.

Do you think young players of today are different to in those of your days?

Possibly. In today’s chaotic world, some of them think that they have to get everything right now: play in the top flight, have the right car and make a name for themselves. And they want it all without making sacrifices. My generation had to really struggle to make it, which is something I value and a message I try to get across. You’ve got to be prepared to make small sacrifices to achieve big things. Things like having a quiet weekend, eating right and getting enough rest. There are a lot of temptations out there but fortunately the lads in my group were very focused.

With this generation, the worst thing you can do is go around boasting about what you’ve done over your career. These lads have more talent than me.

In terms of the goalkeeper’s role itself, do you think personality or technical ability is more important?

I don’t know who invented this saying, but it’s very simple: ‘When the ball’s going wide, don’t knock it in, and when it’s going in, keep it out.’ There’s no more to it than that. You might have a keeper who’s spectacular but if he’s going to let in ones that he should be keeping out then that’s no use at all. I like keepers who are solid, serious and with a strong personality.

Your fellow ex-Argentina keeper, German Burgos, once said you have to be a bit crazy to be a good goalkeeper. Would you agree?

You have to have a certain personality, definitely (laughs). More than anything, you need to be the kind of guy who can bounce back from adversity. It’s a really thankless position and you’ve got 40,000 people ready to insult you if you make a mistake. And you’ve got the fans a couple of metres away, not like outfield players who are moving around all the time and can quickly make up for their mistakes. Keepers have to wait for another attack before they can redeem themselves, so the most important thing is to be mentally strong.

In your opinion, who are the best keepers around at the moment?

It’s hard to choose, but I’ve always admired Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes over in Spain. Even back when I was still keeping goal for Mallorca they already looked like quality goalkeepers. It’s no mean feat spending so many years as number one at those clubs and winning every trophy around: they’re examples to follow.