Eight years without Robert Enke

Born in Jena, on August 24^th 1977, Robert Enke was the first German keeper to ever play for Benfica. He did it for three seasons, between 1999/2000 and 2001/02, right before joining Barcelona.

Eight years ago, when representing Hannover 96, he committed suicide. The decision shocked Germany and the world of football. 

Enke arrived in 1999, at the age of 21. After having finished his contract with the Germans of Borussia Monchengladbach, his task at Luz was complicated: trying to fill Michel Preud'homme's shoes. Nevertheless, he assumed, right then, that he was able to match him, obtaining a spot in the Benfiquistas' heart, who were willing to welcome some top players, in order to rise from the ashes, in one of the worst moments of the Club's sporting history.

The German was not able to get any title with the eagle on the chest. But the three consecutive seasons defending the red nets, on a top level, were enough to convince Barcelona to buy him. In Spain he could not establish himself, being loaned to Fenerbahçe (Turkey) and Tenerife (Spain). He returned to his home country to represent Hannover 96, for five years and a half, reaching, at last, the number one jersey of the German National Team. Sportingly, he was only happy in Lisbon and Germany, where he passed away on November 10^th 2009, at the age of 32, after several periods of depression.

With Benfica, he completed 93 matches (77 in the League, 8 in Europe League and 8 in the Portuguese Cup). His debut was in Vila do Conde, against the local team Rio Ave.

Destined to be a legend at Hannover and the number 1 of the German National Team, the goalkeeper left a legacy and an institution was founded with his name, which supports adults with the same disease and children with heart issues. 

Enke's gloves are in exhibition at "Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião" (museum). The goalkeeper offered it to a Benfica's supporter after a Lisbon derby, in 2000/01, won by the reds (José Mourinho's pupils), by 3-0. 

Text: Filipa Garcia