Andre Onana made his return to competitive football in the Community Shield against Manchester City over the weekend, but his team ended up losing on penalties at Wembley.
Last season, it was revealed that Manchester United goalkeeper uses Vaseline on his gloves, sparking questions about what other substances goalkeepers use and whether it violates any rules of the game.
To get a better understanding, I turned to professional referee Fredrik Klitte, who has over 25 years of experience in Sweden, including a decade at the top level. According to Klitte, using Vaseline is legal for goalkeepers as long as it’s not prohibited in the rule book.
Although referees are not required to check a goalkeeper’s gloves before a match, there is a provision in the rule book that allows them to issue a yellow card for unsportsmanlike behavior if a goalkeeper is found to be using handball resin on their gloves.
Onana turns to the Vaseline (Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Klitte also mentioned that goalkeepers can technically use any substance on their gloves to improve grip as long as it’s not explicitly prohibited in the rules.
After learning about the use of Vaseline, I decided to conduct an experiment with some fellow goalkeepers to test the effectiveness of other substances, such as GloveGlu, shaving cream, and hair spray.
While GloveGlu showed some initial promise, its effectiveness wore off quickly during a training session. On the other hand, Vaseline, which was initially met with skepticism, proved to be highly effective in improving grip.
Shaving cream, although promising, did not match the effectiveness of Vaseline or GloveGlu, especially in terms of durability and ease of application.
GloveGlu was effective, but wore off quickly (Matt Pyzdrowski/The Athletic)
Ultimately, most professional goalkeepers still rely on Vaseline for its long-lasting and stable grip, despite its drawbacks in terms of durability. It’s crucial to remember that these substances should complement proper technique rather than serve as a magic solution on the field.
As younger goalkeepers and amateurs may not have access to a constant supply of new gloves, it is advisable to use Vaseline sparingly on older pairs or in adverse weather conditions to extend the life of their equipment.
Some goalkeepers still stick to using their own saliva (ANP via Getty Images)
This ongoing quest for marginal gains highlights the dedication and innovation of professionals in the sports world, with Vaseline becoming just one example of a tool to enhance performance on the soccer field.
Remember, proper technique is key, and it’s essential to use these substances as aids rather than replacements for skill and strategy.
(Top photo: Charlotte Wilson/Offside via Getty Images)