Petr Cech, football goalkeeper, was born on May 20, 1982 in Plzen, Czech Republic. He is married to Martina and the couple has a daughter, Adelka.
Petr Cech represented his national team; Czech Republic in Euro 2004, his brilliant saves was a major contribution as the team reached the semi-finals. In the 2006 World Cup, his team was placed in Group E with good competitive teams like Ghana, Italy, and the United States. Though his team won (3-0) against the United States, they lost (2-0) against Ghana and Italy, and also their opportunity to the second round. Petr Cech took over as captain of Czech Republic, which won (3-0) against Germany in the Group D qualifying match in Euro 2008.
His club career began at an early age of 7, for Petr Cech joined Plzen youth club in 1989 and played for the club till 1999. Though he started playing as a midfielder and striker, he became a goalkeeper due to a leg injury at the age of 10.
As a senior team member, Petr Cech improved his goalkeeping talents in every match he played. He has played for Czech Republic and French clubs like Bisany, Sparta Prague, and Stade Rennes before moving to Chelsea, English Premier League Club in 2004.
Petr Cech earned the confidence of his new team-mates at Chelsea by keeping a clean sheet and handling the ball safely. His debut match for Chelsea was played against Manchester United where his team emerged victorious with a 1-0 score. Though Petr Cech played in only two matches for Chelsea, the team won the Premiership title again in 2005-2006. Despite of a near-fatal head injury on October 14, 2006, Petr Cech has recovered and plays for Chelsea with a rugby-style head guard. Sheer determination and good practice has brought him back to form for he went 810 minutes without conceding a goal on his comeback match for Chelsea. Petr Cech also kept a clean sheet for Chelsea, which won (1-0) against Manchester United in the 2007 FA Cup final.
Playing for his country, Petr Cech won the ‘Best goalkeeper of Euro 1999 Under-16’. French magazine, France Football, has honored him with the ‘Best goalkeeper of French League’ (2003-2004). With Petr Cech in the team, Czech Republic won the ‘All-stars team of Euro 2004’. As a member of the Chelsea club, he helped the team win ‘All-stars team of Premier League’ in the 2004-2005 season. He also holds the Premier League record in securing the highest number of clean sheets (25) and in the number of minutes without conceding a goal (1025) during the 2004-2005 season. In 2005, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics has awarded him the ‘World Best Goalkeeper’. Playing for Chelsea, his brilliant goalkeeping talents, has won Petr Cech the ‘Best Goalkeeper of Champions League’ (2006-2007) season. The International Sports Press Association has recognized his team as the ‘World All-stars football team of the Year’ (2007). He is the proud owner of the Golden Ball Trophy for the Best Czech Footballer in three consecutive seasons (2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007).
