Goalkeeping is one of the most difficult roles to excel. A Goalkeeper needs to have quick reactions, a high level of concentration, great composure, and reflexes to deal with high pressured situations. Football has seen many great keepers over the years. So, let’s look at the top 5 best keepers of all time.
Iker Casillas
Unarguably, the best goalkeeper football world has ever seen. Casillas made his international debut for Los Blancos in 1999 and played 725 games in all competitions before joining Porto in 2015. Casillas won the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros twice- in 2008 and 2012 with Spain.
The legendary goalkeeper has made 167 appearances for the country. There is no trophy that Iker Casillas hasn’t won in his career. You name it and Iker Casillas has won it. Not only he was a brilliant goalkeeper but also an excellent leader. Casillas holds the record for third-most clean sheets in La Liga history (177), the most clean sheets in the Champions League (59), and the record number of international clean sheets (77).
Gianluigi Buffon
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One of the best goalkeepers of the modern era. Buffon was widely known for his composure and skills in pressure situations. Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 and had incredible success with them winning nine league titles. The 43-year-old has played 178 games for Italy and lifted the World Cup in 2006.
During his club career, Buffon has won the UEFA Cup, the Italian Cup, and two Serie A titles. He has been named as the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year seven times, and the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper four times, more than any other ‘keeper. Buffon is one of the most loved figures in the world of football.
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is one of the greatest and most decorated goalkeepers in the world. Neuer has had great success with Bayern Munich and Germany over the past decade. He is one of the most supremely talented, bravest, and most confident goalkeepers the football world has ever seen.
Neuer was named the best goalkeeper of the decade from 2011 to 2020 by IFFHS. He finished third in the FIFA Ballon d’Or for his performances for both Germany and Bayern Munich in 2014. (https://www.biolighttechnologies.com) Neuer won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany and also clinched the Golden Glove award.
Peter Schmeichel
Schmeichel is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s most legendary goalkeepers. He enjoyed great success with Manchester United and was an integral part of United’s success in the 90s. Peter also performed well for his national team. He is the most capped international player for Denmark with 126 appearances and won the Euro 1992.
Schmeichel joined Manchester United from Brondby in 1991 and made 400 appearances in all competitions for the club in eight years. He won five league titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, and a Champions League title in 1999.
Petr Cech
One of the best goalkeepers of all time. Cech played a vital role in Chelsea’s success over the years. He has 494 senior appearances for Chelsea, which is the sixth-highest appearance for the club. Cech won four Premier League, four FA Cup, three League Cup, one Champions League, and one Europa League with Chelsea.
The greatest moment for Cech came in the Champions League final win against Bayern Munich, where he saved a penalty in extra time, before saving two penalties in the shoot-out. Cech also holds Chelsea’s all-time record for clean sheets, with 228.