Ronnie Whelan

Ronnie Whelan is one of the greatest legends in the history of Liverpool FC. He was a prominent figure in football in the 80s.

Trophies

Goals

625

Games

1977/79 Home Farm (IRL) 45 games, 7 goals

1979/94 Liverpool (ENG) 493 games, 73 goals

(English Premier League: 362 games, 46 goals)

(English Cup: 41 games, 7 goals)

(English League Cup: 50 games, 14 goals)

(Charity Shield: 7 games)

(Screen Sport Super Cup: 6 games)

(Centenary Trophy: 2 games)

(European Champion Clubs' Cup: 23 games, 6 goals)

(UEFA Super Cup: 1 game)

(Intercontinental Cup: 1 game)

1994/96 Southend United (ENG) 34 games, 1 goal

With the National Team :

53 caps, 3 goals

(Friendly matches: 18 caps)

(World Cup qualifiers: 17 caps, 1 goal)

(World Cup: 2 caps)

(Euro qualifiers: 13 caps, 1 goal)

(Euro: 3 caps, 1 goal)

1st cap: April 29, 1981 against Czechoslovakia (3-1)

Last cap: June 11, 1995 against Austria (1-3)

B: 1 cap

U21s: 1 cap

XI: 1 cap

Ronald Andrew Whelan

Born September 25, 1961 in Dublin (IRL)

Irish, Left-Midfielder, Central-Midfielder, 1m76

The talented young Irish player

Ronnie Whelan was born on September 25, 1961 in Dublin. The son of a former Irish international, he grew up in a football-loving family and quickly followed in the footsteps of his father and older brother Paul. He completed his training as a player at Home Farm FC. He could have joined Manchester United, but his trial at the club was a failure.

He made his professional debut on his birthday at 16 years old. In 2 seasons at Home Farm, Ronnie already made a name for himself in the Irish championship where he showed great qualities. In particular, he showed great determination on the pitch and great technical qualities. In 1979, he caught the eye of one of the best clubs in the world, Liverpool FC.

The man of the finals

For his first two seasons in England, he only played one match. It was finally during the 1981/82 season that the player revealed himself on the left wing of the Liverpool team. Versatile, he had an ideal style of play to play as a Left Midfielder or in the axis. With a great work ethic, he was a key element in the tactics of the great Liverpool of the 80s. He was a player with great game intelligence, always placed in the right place at the right time. He was useful both defensively and offensively with his interceptions and his very good passes.

Tactically, Ronnie Whelan knew how to constantly reinvent himself. Over the years, he played in different formations, playing on the wing, in the center... Through his passes, he allowed his team to be able to launch actions in depth. A leader at heart, he was highly respected by his teammates. The consecration at this level came during the 1988/89 season during which he was the team captain.

In 1982, during the English League Cup final, he allowed his team, led 1-0 by Tottenham, to equalize before scoring the second goal, Liverpool's 3-1 victory at the end of the match. The following year, during the English League Cup final against Manchester United, he scored the winning goal 2-1.

Liverpool FC legend

Throughout his career at Liverpool, he was an essential element of his team even if he gradually lost his place as an undisputed starter from the 1990/91 season due to injuries. He remains one of the most successful players in the club's history with 18 trophies won in 15 years for a total of 493 matches and 73 goals scored.

In 1994, he decided to join Southend United where he finished best player of the team at the end of the season. Then in 1996, after a great career, he retired at the age of 34. An Irish international between 1981 and 1995, he is one of the greatest players in the history of his country with 53 international caps and 3 goals scored.