Robert Enke

Professional footballer (goalkeeper)

German Jena, East Germany (now Germany) Virgo 1.86 m

Quick Info

ProfessionProfessional footballer (goalkeeper)
NationalityGerman
Date of Birth24/08/1977
Age32 years (died on 10, Nov, 2009)
BirthplaceJena, East Germany (now Germany)
Date of Death10/11/2009
Zodiac SignVirgo

Latest News about Robert Enke

12/11/2026

On the 17th anniversary of his death, his widow Teresa Enke spoke on the podcast 'Wie geht's? Mit Robin Gosens' about the final evening she spent with him. She described the affectionate words he shared with her before the following day, when he died by suicide.

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Bio/Wiki

SummaryRobert Enke was a German professional goalkeeper who played for Borussia Mönchengladbach, Benfica, FC Barcelona, Fenerbahçe and Hannover 96. He was regarded as the leading contender for Germany's starting goalkeeper role at the 2010 World Cup before he died by suicide in November 2009.

Physical Stats & More

Height1.86 m
PositionGoalkeeper

Personal Life

Mental HealthHe had long struggled with depression and panic attacks, and was treated by a psychiatrist for some years.

Relationships & More

Spouse
  • Teresa Enke (married 2005)
  • a former Olympic athlete

Family

FatherDirk Enke, a sports psychologist
MotherGisela Enke
SiblingsYoungest of three children
SpouseTeresa Enke
Adopted DaughterLeila (adopted 2009)

Career

YouthCarl Zeiss Jena
Borussia MönchengladbachDebut in the Bundesliga, first-choice goalkeeper in 1998-99
BenficaJoined in 1999 and was the starting goalkeeper for about three seasons
FC BarcelonaJoined in 2002, with limited first-team appearances
FenerbahçePlayed in the Turkish top flight
Hannover 96Joined in 2004, captain from 2007, made about 180 appearances
Germany national team8 caps between 1999 and 2009, part of the Euro 2008 runner-up squad
Honours
  • Kicker Bundesliga Goalkeeper of the Season 2005-06
  • UEFA Euro 2008 runner-up with Germany

Style Quotient

Playing StyleCalm and composed goalkeeper, noted for strong reactions on the line and a modern style

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. He began his career as a striker before switching to goalkeeper.
2. His father was a 400-metre hurdler and his mother a handball player.
3. His biography by Ronald Reng, titled A Life Too Short, won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year in 2011.
4. He was expected to succeed Jens Lehmann as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper.

Also born on 24 August

Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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