Europe is populated with incredible Latin American footballers like Lionel Messi, Edinson Cavani, Neymar, Luis Suarez, James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and past legends like Diego Maradona, Falcao (the Brazilian one), Diego Forlan and Hugo Sanchez. Rarely do people think about Latin American goalkeepers in Europe, but there's a sizeable population of them.
On the trail of Uruguayan Ladislao Mazurkiewicz and Brazilian Claudio Taffarel, an interesting group of goalkeepers from Latin America shines in European leagues right now.
Of course, the most famous are currently injured Claudio Bravo of Chile and Keylor Navas of Costa Rica because they play with the two most promoted teams in the world, Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. Bravo collected six trophies this year, five with Barcelona and one with the Chilean National Team.
Bravo and Navas have a classic style that contrasts with the acrobatic style of Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa. This Mexican reminds some crazy movements that Colombian Rene Higuita used to do in his glory days. Ochoa plays for Málaga, but the big moment in the Cameroonian Carlos Kameni has relegated him to the bench.
To turn to the Premier League, Argentine Sergio Romero comes to every World Cup unemployed and leaves out there with a contract. He defends Manchester United's net.
Brazil have three prominent goalkeepers in Europe. The most experienced is Julio Caesar who is only 5' 10" tall. He plays for Benfica of Portugal. Julio Cesar excels though his temperament makes him lose his temper frequently.
The other two are Diego Alves of Valencia and Heurelho Gomes of Watford. Both show excellent reflexes even though their hands are not the safest.
Colombia has its goalkeeper star too. He is David Ospina, who plays for Arsenal in the Premier League. He is characterized by quick movements.
Even Venezuela has exported Alain Barojas, who after being one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 Copa America did not hesitate to accept an offer from AEK Athens in August, to Europe.
Barojas was fearless to go to Greece even though there are political problems in that country.
Gradually Latin American goalkeepers have earned their place in Europe with different styles.
