Top 10 Best Goalkeepers of All Time | Ranked

Goalkeepers are arguably one of the two most important players in a football team, along with the striker. With the match being won based on goals, the goal scorers and stoppers undoubtedly hold the key to a game. Goalkeepers are the last line of defence for a team and do their best not to concede a goal. Over the years, we’ve seen some spectacular saves, some last-ditch sweeper-keeper clearances, high claims, last-minute saves, penalty saves, and much more.

We’ve also seen some huge mistakes, and unfortunately, goalkeepers are almost always punished for their errors. Some of the best goalkeepers of all time have single-handedly won points or trophies for their teams, putting in big performances in crucial matches. Thibaut Courtois made a record number of saves for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas pulled off an iconic save for Spain against the Netherlands at the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. There are numerous such examples. On that note, let’s take a look at the Top 10 best goalkeepers of all time:

How We Ranked the Best Keeper

Career Longevity & Consistency: Before we ranked the top 10 best keepers of all time, we looked at how long a Keeper was in his prime and performed reliably. Legendary goalkeepers like Yashin and Buffon stayed at the top for at least two decades in their respective eras before saying goodbye to the beautiful game.

Awards & Honors: Awards like FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year or Yashin’s Ballon d’Or award add a lot of respect to the name of keepers who are awarded these honors after the end of every season. This factor also worked as the tiebreaker between those keepers whose stats were the same. For Example, if Keeper ‘A’ has almost the same number of clean sheets compared to Keeper ‘B’, then the number of awards will be the deciding factor. Team trophies like the Champions League and other recognitions like ‘FIFA The Best’ also prove they were the best at their business.

Iconic Performances: We also focused on the unforgettable games of the best keepers of all time. Think Zoff’s saves in the 1982 World Cup or Manuel Neuer’s bold sweeper keeper moments. Performances by goalkeepers in important matches like knockouts, finals, and derbies were crucial in making our list of 10 best soccer goalkeepers of all time.

Statistical Milestones: One of the most important factors while we ranked the best goalkeepers in the world of all time was their statistical milestones. These milestones include Cleansheets, save percentage, and penalty saves they made throughout their career. Advanced stats, like preventing expected goals, were also considered before we ranked the best goalkeeper of all time

Best Goalkeepers of All Time – Top 10 Comprehensive Table

This table shows the best soccer goalkeepers of all time, based on their amazing saves, long careers, and key achievements. From Lev Yashin’s Ballon d’Or to Alisson Becker’s Champions League win, these players have left a lasting mark on football.

Best Soccer Goalkeepers of all Time

The detailed list features the top legendary soccer goalkeepers in history based on their incredible saves, career longevity, and significant trophies. Every one of these keepers had redefined the position.

10. Gordon Banks – England

The late Gordon Banks is perhaps known more for his career with England than his club, but regardless, he is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Banks helped The Three Lions win the World Cup in 1966, which remains the last big trophy for the men’s side. Banks also produced one of the most iconic saves in the sport against the late Pelé at the 1970 World Cup.

Gordon played for the likes of Leicester City and Stoke City at the club level and won two League Cups, and even had stints in the United States. His legacy also includes mentoring young keepers, and his induction into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 honors his lasting influence.

9. Alisson Becker – Brazil

Having performed consistently over the years, Alisson has certainly been one of the best goalkeepers of all time. The Brazil international rose to prominence at AS Roma before his eventual breakthrough at Liverpool. The Brazilian goalkeeper arrived in 2018 and helped the Reds win every trophy available. Alisson has made some incredible saves over the years for Liverpool and continues to do so.

Becker, Premier League title and Copa America win in 2019 with Brazil, marked his peak. However, people often question his stint at Roma, but his 2020-21 20-clean-sheet season and ball-playing skills cement his legacy. He has the opportunity to add more accolades to his cabinet with Brazil and also at the club level before he retires.

8. Edwin van der Sar – Netherlands

Edwin van der Sar made over 800 appearances throughout his club career, which includes over 500 appearances for Ajax and Manchester United. He won 27 trophies across the span of his career and also holds the world record for most minutes without conceding in the Premier League – 1,311 in the 2008-09 season.

Van der Sar won two Champions League trophies and four Premier League titles, among other honors. He also made 130 appearances for the Netherlands. He last served at Ajax Amsterdam as their Chief Executive Officer, taking up the management career post-retirement.

7. Peter Schmeichel – Denmark

Peter Schmeichel is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time for his spell with Manchester United and Denmark. The goalkeeper helped the Danish side lift the Euros in 1992. Schmeichel spent eight years at Manchester United, winning numerous trophies, including the iconic treble in the 1998-99 season.

He won five Premier League titles with the club, among other honors, and is hailed as an icon in his homeland as one of the best ever Danish players to make their name in the foreign leagues.

6. Petr Čech – Czech Republic

Petr Čech is undeniably one of the most iconic goalkeepers of the modern era. He made his name with Chelsea and was part of the team that holds the record for the fewest goals conceded in a season – 15. He has also kept the highest number of clean sheets in Premier League history – 202. Čech suffered a fractured skull in 2006 but bounced back after surgery and a helmet.

He won four Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy, among other honors, and was equally an icon for his country, the Czech Republic. Cech has been an absolute tank between the sticks for so long, making him one of the best goalkeepers of all time.

5. Oliver Kahn – Germany

Oliver Kahn is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He was a sensational goalkeeper but also a leader for both Germany and Bayern Munich. He made over 600 appearances for Bayern, winning eight Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy, among other honors. Kahn also made 86 appearances for Germany.

He was also named the best player at the 2002 World Cup despite his side losing in the final against Brazil. Moreover, he is also infamous for his intense and commanding personality on the pitch earning him the nickname “the titan”.

4. Iker Casillas – Spain

Iker Casillas is certainly one of the best goalkeepers of all time with his stellar displays for Real Madrid and Spain. He came through Real Madrid’s academy and made over 700 senior appearances for them, winning every trophy available multiple times. He won three Champions League trophies and five La Liga titles, among other honors.

For Spain, Casillas made 167 appearances, winning two UEFA Euros and one FIFA World Cup. He also captained both sides for a long period and is recognised as the best to have stood in between the sticks for Real Madrid and Spain, making him an icon of the game.

3. Manuel Neuer – Germany

Manuel Neuer has been a mainstay in the German national team and Bayern Munich for years now. He has helped them win numerous trophies, including 11 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies. The German Giant has also made over 521 appearances for the Bavarians. Neuer popularized the term ‘sweeper keeper’ after his effectiveness in racing out of the box to make clearances or tackles.

The German goalkeeper also helped Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately, Neuer suffered a bad accident while skiing, but returned to action in 2023 and resumed his terrific displays. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time.

2. Gianluigi Buffon – Italy

Despite never winning the UEFA Champions League trophy, Gianluigi Buffon is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time. Some even label him the greatest of all time and he has been an inspiration for many young goalkeepers over the years. Buffon made over 900 appearances in his club career, with 685 of them coming for Juventus. He won 10 Serie A titles, among multiple other trophies.

He also won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006 and made 176 appearances for them. Buffon eventually retired from professional football in 2023 after leaving a huge impact on the footballing fraternity. Italian shot stopper Buffon is highly regarded as one of the top 10 goalkeepers of all time.

1. Lev Yashin – Russia

Lev Yashin’s greatness was recognized by France Football, naming the award for the best goalkeeper of the year the Lev Yashin Award. It was introduced in 2019 and the likes of Alisson have won it. Yashin is also the only goalkeeper in the history of the sport to have ever won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, doing so in 1963.

He made over 350 appearances for Dinamo Moscow, winning multiple trophies. He also helped the Soviet Union national team to win the 1960 European Championship and is widely considered the best keeper of all time. Playing in an era with fewer matches, his consistency across 12 Soviet Top League titles reflects his dominance. With his achievements and statistics, he is ranked number 1 in our list of the best goalkeeper of all time.