Top 10 Goalkeepers in the World: Who Are The Best?
Top 10 best goalkeepers in the world have to possess a variety of attributes, including a strong set of reflexes and ball-handling ability. The role of the goalkeeper has changed significantly with modern tactics, requiring goalkeepers to start moves as well as defend against attacking teams.
The following players are good examples of the value that having a reliable goalie can provide.
10. David De Gea
David De Gea came into the season with a lot of doubts last year but he was resoundingly successful and has turned around Manchester United’s defense with his constantly impressive saves on the pitch.
David De Gea played a leading role in stopping three penalties this season, a concern for the Manchester United goalkeeper following criticism of his own over the past few seasons. The Spanish international has developed into a reliable titular figure, and was heavily critical of his defensive squad-mates throughout this tough campaign.
9. Samir Handanovic
Inter’s No.1 goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, made 37 starts last season while focusing on the ball distribution. Inter may have fallen short in the Scudetto-battle with Milan, but their No.1 had a good performance across the whole campaign.
8. Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer was once considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and it wasn’t until recent years that people began to question whether Neuer could be replaced. After suffering a few injuries, Manuel Neuer’s place as Germany’s captain was also questioned.
All of doubts and concerns have been banished, as their captain is back on top his game again. After all, their captain inspired Bayern to win the Bundesliga last season for a tenth time in a row.
Aside from the most clean sheets among German Bundesliga goalkeepers, Neuer boasts the highest number of saves and is proven as a helpful asset to Bayern’s attack.
7. Yassine Bounou:
Last season with Sevilla, the 30-year-old Moroccan put up an impressive stat of a 77.2% save per goal ratio across the entire league which helped to contribute to their title win and kept as many clean sheets as Real Madrid.
6. Ederson (Manchester City)
Manchester City’s Brazilian goalkeeper is often credited for the team’s possession-based play style and ability to build attacking opportunities. With great anticipation and skill, he can knock it to Fernandinho between two onrushing attackers or hit it 60 yards to Raheem Sterling, whether in testing situations or standard ones.
In the Premier League last year, Ederson had more clean sheets than any other player and gave up the fewest goals on average. In spite of these factors there is still room for improvement in his shot stopping skills and on his day, he’s a beast between the posts for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
5. Kevin Trapp
Goalkeepers contribute more than just instinctive and spectacular stops. Though Kevin Trapp’s stop of a goal in the Europa League final will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in Eintracht’s long history, he did not only excel in all aspects of his game; in fact, they improved this season as well. His 72.9 save percentage ranks him third among all Bundesliga goalkeepers over the course of last season.
4. Make Maignan
Without Maignan between the posts, it’s hard to imagine Milan winning last season’s Scudetto without him. He kept 17 clean sheets and had an 81.2% shot-to-save ratio that placed him among Europe’s top goalkeepers. The latter allowed Milan to win their first league title since 2007.
3. Edouard Mendy
Despite Chelsea missing out on the title, Edouard Mendy enjoyed another phenomenal year in 2022. Mendy won Football Association of Canada (AFCON) and the Club World Cup for Chelsea on the back of his one-touch football skills. He has few equals between the sticks right now.
2. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois has made the most saves in the 2021/22 Champions League season with 52. There is an argument that Courtois – behind only Karim Benzema – has been Real Madrid’s most valuable player over the course of the competition. At home, he’s also been a beast. The 30-year-old tallied 16 clean sheets and racked up a 76.7% to save ratio as Real Madrid won their league title again this year.
1. Alisson
Alisson was the hero in the FA Cup final with his shootout winner and boasted the lowest goals-against per 90 in English Premier League football last season. Alisson has great footwork, can cover ground effectively, and is never separated from the game even if called on unexpectedly.
Read more: To Erik ten Hag’s mind, the angrier the Manchester United players are, the better.
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I've been entrenched in the world of football for years, analyzing the game from various angles—tactical, statistical, and technical. I've closely followed the performances of top goalkeepers worldwide, understanding the nuances that make each one stand out. Let's dive into the intricacies of the top 10 goalkeepers mentioned in that article.
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David De Gea: Known for his acrobatic saves, De Gea has been pivotal for Manchester United, showcasing exceptional reflexes and agility. His ability to command the box and save penalties has been instrumental for his team.
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Samir Handanovic: Inter Milan's goalkeeper, Handanovic, is recognized for his consistent performances, particularly in ball distribution. Despite Inter's league position, his individual displays have been impressive.
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Manuel Neuer: Once considered the best globally, Neuer's injuries led to doubts, but his return to form has silenced critics. He's not just a goalkeeper; he contributes significantly to Bayern Munich's attack and has the most clean sheets among Bundesliga goalkeepers.
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Yassine Bounou: The Sevilla goalkeeper played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign, boasting an impressive save per goal ratio that matched Real Madrid's clean sheets.
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Ederson: Known for his role in Manchester City's possession-based play, Ederson's distribution and anticipation skills stand out. He led the Premier League in clean sheets and fewest goals conceded, despite room for improvement in shot-stopping.
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Kevin Trapp: His remarkable saves, notably in the Europa League final, exemplify his importance to Eintracht. Trapp's improved performance contributed to his team's success.
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Mike Maignan: His role in AC Milan's Scudetto win was significant, with 17 clean sheets and a high shot-to-save ratio, demonstrating his pivotal contribution to the team's success.
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Edouard Mendy: Despite Chelsea missing out on the title, Mendy's stellar performances in winning the AFCON and Club World Cup showcased his prowess in goalkeeping, especially with his exceptional one-touch football skills.
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Thibaut Courtois: Real Madrid's goalkeeper stood out in the Champions League with the most saves, solidifying his status as a key player for the team's success in both domestic and European competitions.
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Alisson: Liverpool's Alisson proved his worth in critical moments, especially in the FA Cup final, showcasing his footwork, effective ground coverage, and consistently low goals conceded per 90 minutes in the Premier League.
These goalkeepers differ in style and strengths, but they all possess the fundamental attributes required in modern football: reflexes, distribution, shot-stopping, and the ability to contribute to their team's overall strategy, whether in initiating plays or saving critical shots.
