Pepe Reina

José Manuel Reina Páez (born 31 August 1982), commonly known as Pepe Reina, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the English Premier League club Liverpool F.C. and the Spain national team. He is believed by many[who?] to be one of the best goalkeepers around, an opinion often shared by his club manager Rafael Benitez[citation needed].

The son of famed FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Reina, José Reina began his career with the FC Barcelona youth team and made his La Liga debut in the 2000–01 season. He was sent on loan to Villareal CF in 2002, becoming their first choice goalkeeper, and signed a permanent deal in 2004.

However, he soon moved on to Merseyside club Liverpool, making his debut in 2005 and instantly becoming first choice goalkeeper. Reina won his first major honour in 2006, saving three out of four penalties in the final to help win the FA Cup. In 2007 he reached the Champions League Final, matching the feat achieved by his father in 1974, but the team lost to A.C. Milan. Reina has set a number of goalkeeping records for Liverpool and he won the Premier League Golden Glove award for clean sheets in his first three seasons at the club.

At international level, Reina played for Spain's youth team, winning the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in 1999. He made his senior debut in 2005 and has generally been selected as the second choice keeper behind Iker Casillas. He was part of the Spain squad for the 2006 World Cup and made one appearance in their victorious Euro 2008 campaign, earning him his first international honour.