Top 10 Best Football (Soccer) Goalkeepers of All Time

When it comes to football, goalkeepers are often the unsung heroes of the game. While strikers and midfielders usually steal the spotlight with their goals and assists, the best goalkeepers are the ones standing tall when it matters most.

They have nerves of steel, lightning reflexes, and an incredible sense of positioning that keeps their teams in the game. From jaw-dropping saves to commanding their defenses like generals on the pitch, these players leave an unforgettable impression on fans and opponents alike.

This list is all about celebrating the legends between the posts. These are the keepers who defined eras, lifted trophies, and inspired countless young players to don the gloves.

The Top Ten

Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon was born on January 28, 1978, in Carrara, Italy. He is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. Buffon returned to play for Serie B club Parma in 2021 after a long and successful career with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. He also played for the... read more

Easily the best keeper. How many times has he saved Italy by pulling off amazing saves? No other keeper is as consistently good as Gianluigi. You can trust him in goal, however old.
He never fails to meet more than what is expected of him. For this, I think he is the best player in the world. Come on, Buffon.

Buffon is amazing. He should be number 1 on the list. Vote Buffon up so he can be higher than the number 1 guy at the time of making this comment. Buffon is much better than all the other goalies.
Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was nicknamed "San Iker" for his consistent ability to make crucial and spectacular saves. Casillas is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport.... read more

What? How the hell is Casillas number one? I'm not saying he doesn't deserve to be top ten. He should be at least number five. According to FIFA games, Neuer is rated 90 and Casillas 84. I agree. Well, Gianluigi in FIFA is rated 82. I think he deserves 84 rated, but with slightly better stats than Casillas. Hey guys, did you see how Casillas was against Chile and the Netherlands in Spain vs. the Netherlands? Netherlands 5-1 Spain. And they lost to Chile. Laugh out loud.

Casillas is the best. Although I have only seen him play in one World Cup game (I just started watching professional soccer at that point), I have watched many La Liga and UEFA Champions League games. He has shown that he has the potential and skills to become the number one goalie in the world. I have watched other goalies play, but seeing him save every shot he can - and he does a lot of that - really gets me hyped to go out and play. He is my role model for becoming a professional goalie in the future and succeeding in the sport. Love you, Casillas! (And by the way, yes, I am a 13-year-old girl.)
Manuel Neuer

Manuel Peter Neuer is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, known for his sweeper-keeper playing style. Neuer has won numerous domestic and international titles... read more

After the World Cup 2014, where Germany dominated the entire world, it was clear to people everywhere on the globe that Neuer is and will be the best goalkeeper ever. And so it happened.

Revolutionized the goalkeeper game. He is the eleventh field player, very often used as a pass giver to change wings. Great. His moving range in the field is unmatched. He is always an option to play to. When defending high, he covers literally his own half alone.

Why is he seventh? He should at least be No. 3. He won the Golden Glove in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, was named the best German player of the year, and he's one of the three best contenders to get the Best Player in Europe.
Petr Cech

Petr Čech (born May 20, 1982) is a Czech former professional football goalkeeper. He is best known for his successful career at Chelsea and Arsenal, where he earned a reputation as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers.... read more

He is a legend of Chelsea. He can save penalties like nobody else. He can stop the impossible. He is the best. He came back after an injury that could have cost his life, not once but twice, and still came back as a legend.

He is the best goalkeeper ever. He should be number 1. And this is a message for the creator of this site: put Petr Cech as number one. He always saves Chelsea and his country, which is the Czech Republic. He is the best. He hit himself in the head and he still gives his life for their team.

Petr Cech has scored a goal and he is a wall of awesome. He should be number one.
He has proven his athleticism through huge saves and like a million clean sheets.
Edwin van der Sar

Van der Sar is a legend, Buffon too, but Van der Sar is a soul player! He deserves the number 1 spot. Casillas is a good keeper but not a legend, maybe soon he will be, but never like Van der Sar! I am not Dutch nor a Man U fan, but he still deserves it! I have never seen a better goalie than him. Never!

All the Dutch goalkeepers are very good. It's a shame that this legend stopped playing soccer. But look at other Dutch goalkeepers who are really brilliant and all in a good soccer competition: Maarten Stekelenburg, Michael Vorm, Tim Krul, and don't forget all the pretty young keepers. And the coming Dutch goalies: Sergio Padt and Erwin Mulder. Thumbs up for Edwin and the Dutch!
Peter Schmeichel

Peter Bolesław Schmeichel, born on November 18, 1963, is a Danish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was voted the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper in 1992 and 1993. Schmeichel is best remembered for his successful years at Manchester United, where he captained the team to victory... read more

Fantastic goalkeeper. He had some of the most spectacular saves, was almost always positioned right, and really commanded his goal area.
He was also great in one-on-ones, where he often almost scared the attacker when coming out of the goal.
One of the most well-rounded goalkeepers ever.

How could he be in 4th place? You've got to be kidding me. He is, by far, the best goalkeeper ever. The 'XXL Shirt' had Casillas' reflexes, Buffon's concentration, and Neuer's balance. Without taking away the merit from anyone, Denmark only won the EURO92 because of him!
Oliver Kahn

Oliver Rolf Kahn is a German former football goalkeeper. He began his youth career with Karlsruher SC in 1975 and was promoted to the senior team in 1987. Kahn later played for Bayern Munich from 1994 to 2008 and is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history.

He is the best German goalkeeper ever born. No one in history could match him, Peter Schmeichel, Van der Sar, Petr Cech, Casillas, and Neuer. No goalkeeper can do such goalkeeping like Oliver Kahn did. He is the best goalkeeper ever who took birth from his mother.

The only goalkeeper ever to win the Golden Ball in a World Cup. He really was the best of them all. The only competition is G. Buffon, D. Zoff, L. Yashin, and I. Casillas. Everyone else is no contest. But potential goalkeepers will be G. Ochoa and H. Lloris!
Lev Yashin

Lev Ivanovich Yashin, nicknamed the "Black Spider" or the "Black Panther," was a Soviet-Russian football goalkeeper, considered by many to be the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the game. He remains the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d'Or, receiving the award in 1963. He spent his... read more

Greatest goalkeeper to ever live. So far, Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have ever received the Player of the Year Award. No one else on this list has managed that feat! Also, the rest of the Soviet team at the time was only half-decent, while all these other goalkeepers play for fantastic teams with brilliant defenders. Best keeper ever!

You know what's legendary? Legendary is innovating so many new goalkeeping tactics that over half of them are still used today by world-class goalkeepers. Lev Yashin not only achieved this, he managed to do this in a period of time in history when balls were packed with hard leather and attacking was much more aggressive. If Casillas was the Poseidon of goalkeeping, this guy would be Zeus.
Gordon Banks

Undoubtedly the greatest keeper the world has ever seen. The only keeper that I can't remember ever making a mistake. Also known for his legendary saves.

How? Just how is he not in the top 3 with Lev Yashin?

This guy is the 2nd best of all time, behind Lev.
Joe Hart

Charles Joseph John "Joe" Hart is an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. As of 2025, he is retired from professional football and last played for Celtic FC. Hart previously played for clubs including Manchester City and Burnley, and earned over 70 caps for the England national... read more

Joe is a brilliant young goalkeeper, homegrown in the best tradition. He started his career with Shrewsbury Town. The best is yet to come!

Quality keeper, but he's at Burnley now, so maybe not quite better than De Gea, Lloris, Courtois, Gordon Banks, etc.

He's a great player in my opinion. He should be second or first. I would have him in Barcelona. He's an awesome player.

The Newcomers

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Alisson Becker
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Jordan Pickford

The Contenders

Dino Zoff

Dino should be much higher, and any player without a World Cup championship win should not be on this list.

The oldest goalie ever to win the World Cup.
Víctor Valdés

In 20 years, it will be Víctor Valdés young goalkeepers study to improve their game.
San Iker, Buffon, Neuer are all fantastic and maybe even better than VV in some ways, but the amount of responsibility Valdés shoulders for Barcelona is underappreciated and the hallmark of a truly revolutionary keeper.

I love him. He's so awesome. Plus, he's from Barcelona! Laugh out loud. I love him, my father loves him, my brothers love him. My sister and my mom love him. And the whole world loves him! We all love him.
Pepe Reina

José Manuel "Pepe" Reina Páez, born on August 31, 1982, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. As of 2025, he is a member of the Italian club S.S.C. Napoli. Reina has had a long career that includes time with clubs like Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Villarreal, as well as appearances... read more

Reina is the second-best Spanish Goalkeeper, and there isn't much difference between him and Casillas. If you are a Liverpool fan, then only you would know the kind of saves he pulled off in some matches.

Reina is a great goalkeeper. Well, he is only number 3 in the Spanish national team, but he does his job very well at Liverpool and is always there when needed.

To me, the best keeper in the Prem. When he leaves Liverpool, and I know that there are many top goalkeepers around, and when I say that, I mean very good keepers like Neuer and Lloris, but when he leaves... how can I put this... he's a one-of-a-kind goalkeeper without a doubt. He deserves to be in the top ten.
Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris is a French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He serves as the captain for both Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the French national team. Lloris is recognized for his quick reflexes, strong decision-making, and skill in one-on-one situations.

Such a good goalkeeper. Just imagine him in a few years' time!

One of the best Tottenham goalkeepers ever. He has made some incredible saves, such as against Olsson vs West Brom.

Hugo Lloris made a ton of saves in the group stage (France: 7, Switzerland: 6, Ecuador: 4, Honduras: 0)
Guillermo Ochoa

The best goalie. He is the reason stars didn't lose against the World Masters because he saved so many shots from Messi and Drogba yesterday in Miami. That is why he is going to lead Mexico and his team to victory again in the Gold Cup like in 2011 when Mexico won the Gold Cup against the USA.

He is the first goalkeeper from Mexico to play in a European team. He has amazing reflexes!

Not only is he one of the top goalkeepers, but he was also on the cover of FIFA 08. He's already a champion on his team, an inspiration or a hero to some people, and he is extremely young.
David de Gea

David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United and the Spain national team. De Gea has been recognized as one of the top goalkeepers in the world during his time with Manchester United.

Put this fellow higher. He proved why he deserved the Golden Glove from two seasons before. One of the quickest reacting goalkeepers in his prime, not even Andre Onana or anyone else can currently compete too much with that. There are maybe three or four goalkeepers like Courtois, Ter-Stegen, Neuer, and one more.
De Gea two years ago was at least among the top three or even second place in the world. He had his mistakes, there were important matches to win, of course, and there was something not saved, but was it his fault? Maybe, but especially the club's fault and the defenders in general. Now if you look at United, it doesn't look better as promised. It is much worse, although Onana had nice matches. But that only proves how much he is missed playing in any nice club with a nice form.
Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid in Spain's La Liga and for the Belgium national team. He has earned numerous accolades for his performances, including winning the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid. Courtois is widely... read more

Very nice goalkeeper. He is a good Belgian goalkeeper.
He is currently a goalkeeper for Chelsea. His saves are good.
He deserves to be on this list.

Thibaut always is the save king if Chelsea is in trouble. By far, he is better than De Gea. I mean, Chelsea won the league. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have won the Premier League. Keeper No. 1.

Seriously, I am a Chelsea fan, and personally, I think Courtois is a great keeper and he should be in the top 5.
Julio Cesar

#1 should be first. No one, only the best, can score a goal on him. He's better than Casillas. He saves 10 out of 10 balls shot by the best striker. He's the reason Brazil never, never takes a goal. He stops all shots. Inter is lucky to have him.

Come on, he is way better than Casillas. He is the best goalkeeper ever. Casillas should be all the way at the bottom, and they should put a real goalkeeper at the top.

He makes great saves and has helped QPR gain momentum. Inter Milan is not doing well without him.
Dida

He is a legend. He is the best goalkeeper. He stopped almost all the shots from any angle, from any shooter. He could go out and in and stop every shot without using his hands. He is the best. He is a legend.
Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh

I think the best footballer of soccer is Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh. He could be said to be the king of football. He is the number 1 player in the world of football. His shots are the most marvelous shots in the world. There is no way to defeat him. He is the best goalkeeper.

He was one of the best goalkeepers in Asia, and the best goalkeeper in Iranian football history! He was a confidence bomb in the Iranian national team!

He is one of the Iranian goalkeepers. He is the most famous and professional goalkeeper in Iran and especially in Asia. Years ago, he played for FC Perspolis and had a golden time there. All the Perspolis fans like me love him very much.
Artur Boruc

Boruc has proven in several countries that he can be the number one goalkeeper in a team. He took Frey's place at Fiorentina, made several very good saves in the Champions League with Celtic, and delivered a plethora of magnificent saves this season for Southampton. Many of these saves were against top teams like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal.

Boruc! My personal opinion is that he should be in the top 3 because he plays very well. Boruc with a wonderful save! Honestly, Boruc should be considered the world's best goalkeeper.
Tim Howard

Awesome. Seriously, he deserves to be on this list. If I were a news writer during the 2014 World Cup, I would be mentioning his unbelievable 16 saves for the USA against Belgium.

This is bull. He should be in the top ten! He is way better than most of these other guys! Whoever made it is not soccer smart!

Tim Howard is the best goalie. How is he ranked number 39? Whoever uploaded this page knows NOTHING about soccer.
Fernando Muslera

After winning the Cup with Uruguay in 2011, he became one of the best keepers in the world. Maybe we can see him later in the Champions League with Galatasaray Istanbul because, in the Turkish league, I can't see much of him.

Top 5 keeper in Europe in 2012/2013, did a great job at the Champions League this year, and maybe going to Barcelona, but I don't hope so. He should stay at Galatasaray! UltrAslan!

Way better than most who are above him on this list. I think he is first or second in the world, but not everybody gets to see him.
Jan Oblak

Jan Oblak is a Slovenian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Atlético Madrid and the Slovenia national team. He joined Atlético Madrid in 2014 and has since become one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Oblak has won multiple individual awards for his performances in La Liga.

Very underrated. He is one of the main reasons why Atletico Madrid is one of the best Spanish clubs in Europe.

Why is he all the way down here? He's literally the best current keeper right now!

Oblak is an amazing player and is very underrated.
David Seaman

INCREDIBLE! When it comes to a safe pair of hands, nobody can compete. Underrated due to a lack of pointless, over-exaggerated dramatic saves. Has tenacity, strength, and is a great organiser of the defense. Look up his save against Sheffield Utd in the FA Cup semi-final in 2003, and I'm sure you'll agree he's the best keeper ever.