Bernard Voorhoof (10 May 1910 – 18 February 1974) was a Belgian footballer, who held the title of the Belgium national team's top scorer for 34 years, netting 30 goals in 61 matches.[1] In 1972, he was joined by Paul Van Himst, who took 81 matches to reach the same goal tally. However, both have since been surpassed by Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard.
_sautant_plus_haut_que_tout_le_monde,_lors_du_8e_de_finale_de_Coupe_du_monde_1938,_perdu_face_%C3%A0_la_France_%C3%A0_Colombes.jpg) Belgian Bernard Voorhoof (dark), during the 1938 World Cup quarter finals. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bernardus Ludovicus Voorhoof | ||
| Date of birth | 10 May 1910 | ||
| Place of birth | Lier, Belgium | ||
| Date of death | 18 February 1974 (aged 63) | ||
| Place of death | Lier, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1927–1948 | Lierse | 529 | (365) |
| 1948–1949 | RRFC Montegnée | 30 | (15) |
| Total | 550 | (380) | |
| International career | |||
| 1928–1940 | Belgium | 61 | (30) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career edit
Voorhoof commenced his career at Lierse, remaining with the club for an impressive 21 years. During his tenure, he remarkably scored 350 goals across 529 matches and secured two Belgian First Division titles. Additionally, in the shortened 1940−41 season, he contributed to a third unofficial title. Before retiring at the age of 39 in 1949, he also spent a season with RRFC Montegnée.
He was part of Belgium's team at the 1928 Summer Olympics, but did not play in any matches.[2] Voorhoof played in the 1930, 1934 and 1938 World Cups, being one of six known people (5 players and 1 match official) to have appeared in all three of the pre-war World Cups.[1][3] At the 1934 World Cup held in Italy, Voorhoof scored twice in Belgium's 2−5 defeat to Germany.[4] These were the first Belgian goals in a FIFA World Cup, as the Belgium national team failed to find the net in 1930.
He held the Belgian caps record from 5 May 1938 (when he equalled the total of Armand Swartenbroeks) until 13 April 1958, when his total was surpassed by Vic Mees.[1] He held the Belgian record of goals since 13 March 1938, when he equalled the total of Robert De Veen, until [1] Paul Van Himst equalled his tally of 30 international goals for Belgium on 17 June 1972.[1]
Honours edit
Lierse[5]
- Belgian First Division: 1931–32, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42
Records
- Former Belgium's most capped player: 1938–1958 (61 caps)[6]
- Former Belgium's national record goalscorer: 1940–2017 (30 goals)[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Bernard Voorhoof - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Bernard Voorhoof". Olympedia. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ The other people were players Edmond Delfour, Étienne Mattler, Nicolae Kovács and Patesko, and referee Jean Langenus, according to official FIFA match reports. Patesko, however, is not listed in many sources as part of the 1930 Brazilian squad, shortening the list to four players.
- ^ "Germany - Belgium 5:2". FIFA. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Lierse SK | Geschiedenis".
- ^ "Vertonghen wordt zevende recordinternational van de Rode Duivels".
- ^ "Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku became Belgium's record goalscorer".
