The use of Vaseline by professional goalkeepers has gained attention, with Manchester United’s Andre Onana seen using it during a match against Liverpool recently. The practice of using Vaseline on gloves to improve grip was introduced to the author by his club goalkeeper, Robin Streifert, who learned about it from Bordeaux’s Karl-Johan Johnsson. Initially skeptical, both Robin and the author found that Vaseline significantly improved their grip on the ball, giving new life to older gloves and boosting their confidence in catching the ball.
Research into the effectiveness of Vaseline on goalkeeper gloves revealed that it moisturizes the latex material while repelling water and grime, enhancing the glove’s ability to grip the ball. The author reached out to Karl-Johan Johnsson, who enthusiastically shared his experience with Vaseline and its impact on his confidence in catching the ball, especially in wet conditions. Karl emphasized the mental aspect of using Vaseline, noting that it has increased his ability to catch the ball and improved his overall confidence as a goalkeeper.
Karl described his routine for using Vaseline on matchdays, including applying a small amount to his gloves after wetting them with water. He also mentioned leaving Vaseline on the goalposts as a backup in case he needed to reapply during the match. Despite some initial skepticism from teammates and fans, Karl’s success with Vaseline has convinced many others to try it and experience the benefits for themselves. He acknowledged that Vaseline may not be as effective on dry pitches but noted that water is typically present during training and matches, allowing for easy application.
Reflecting on his introduction to Vaseline, Karl believed that Danish goalkeeper Stephan Andersen may have introduced Swedish goalkeepers like Robin Olsen and Kristoffer Nordfeldt to the practice. He humorously mentioned the pride Andersen takes in bringing Vaseline to the Swedish national team. Karl concluded by highlighting the positive impact of Vaseline on goalkeepers he has introduced it to at various clubs, emphasizing the initial skepticism followed by eventual acceptance and appreciation of its benefits. Overall, the use of Vaseline on goalkeeper gloves has become a widely adopted practice among professional players due to its ability to improve grip and boost confidence during matches and training sessions.
