The 21st Century has redefined what it means to be a goalkeeper.
No longer just the last line of defence, today’s keepers are expected to command their box, be comfortable with the ball at their feet and to come off their line quickly.
From the traditional shot-stopping giants who dominated the early 2000s to the modern all-rounders, these 15 goalkeepers represent the very best of the era and highlight the evolution of the game itself.
15. Hugo Lloris
Jose Mourinho was adamant that there was no greater goalkeeper in the Premier League than Hugo Lloris.
Cat-like reflexes and a showreel of stunning saves, it was easy to make the case for the Frenchman belonging among the elite.
He captained France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and 2021 Nations League, although wasn’t overly successful on the trophy front at club level.
The occasional error and relatively poor distribution have held Lloris back on this list.
14. Victor Valdes
Valdes was the perfect goalkeeper for Guardiola’s Barcelona.
He was absolutely fearless in possession, regularly receiving the ball under pressure to drag the opposition out of shape. His composure suited the possession-heavy system, whilst also being a solid shot stopper.
Valdes wasn’t the tallest keeper and was never one to dominate his box to claim crosses, but for a ball-playing keeper, there have been few better.
13. Keylor Navas
A late-bloomer, Navas was an athletic shot-stopper who thrived on the big stage.
He was a consistent presence between the sticks for Real Madrid during their Champions League dominance of the mid 2010s.
Navas replaced Casillas and was later replaced by Courtois; both of whom feature highly on this list.
12. Gianluigi Donnarumma
It is easy to forget Donnarumma is still only 26. Having made his AC Milan debut aged just 16, Donnarumma has carved out a decade-long career at the upper echelon of goalkeeping.
Despite winning the treble at PSG, Luis Enrique decided Donnarumma’s ability on the ball wasn’t strong enough for their style of play. Guardiola’s City didn’t look the most natural of destinations, but six games in and the big Italian has already shown his class.
11. David de Gea
Few goalkeepers have a save highlight reel quite as impressive as David de Gea in his prime. Between 2014 and 2018, he was arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, almost single-handedly keeping Manchester United competitive.
While later years exposed his weaknesses in distribution and consistency, his peak remains among the finest the Premier League has ever seen.
10. Edwin van der Sar
From a sweeper keeper for the great Ajax sides of the 90s to the oldest Premier League winner with Manchester United, van der Sar blended old-school fundamentals with modern distribution and positioning.
The Dutchman’s most iconic moment came in the 2008 Champions League final with a decisive penalty save from Anelka to secure the trophy.
9. Marc-André ter Stegen
A natural successor to Valdés at Barcelona, ter Stegen perfected the ball-playing goalkeeper role. He is composed in tight situations, capable of breaking lines with his passing and quick off his line with aggressive positioning to engage attackers.
On top of that, he is an outstanding shot-stopper, particularly in one-on-one situations. His heroics in the 2015 Champions League semi-final against Bayern and the final against Juventus set the tone for Barcelona’s triumph.
8. Jan Oblak
Oblak is the epitome of consistency.
Simeone has always stated that Oblak is the best goalkeeper in the world and it is easy to understand why. His command of the penalty area and calmness under pressure have made him a perfect fit for Simeone’s defensive system at Atletico Madrid.
His key role in Atletico’s 2020/21 La Liga triumph underlined his importance as the foundation of one of Europe’s toughest teams to break down.
7. Oliver Kahn
One of the last old-school keepers.
Aggressive, vocal and dominant; Kahn terrified strikers. His leadership was vital to both Bayern Munich and the German national team throughout the early 2000s.
He remains the only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball at a World Cup, after carrying Germany to the 2002 final with heroic performances.
At club level, he won the 2001 Champions League with a Man of the Match performance, making decisive saves in the shootout against Valencia. Kahn’s fiery personality and relentless drive made him one of football’s most intimidating figures.
6. Alisson Becker
The blueprint for the modern goalkeeper.
Put simply, Alisson is the best keeper in the world in one-on-ones. His reading of the game and speed of the line enable Liverpool to play a high defensive line safe in the knowledge that Alisson is there to neutralise any successful balls over the top.
His iconic headed goal against West Brom in 2021 underlines his knack for the extraordinary.
Calm, commanding and brilliant under pressure – Alisson is widely regarded as one of the best in the world today.
5. Petr Čech
Čech’s legacy in the Premier League is unmatched.
With 202 clean sheets, he remains the record-holder. In his debut season at Chelsea, he conceded just 15 goals in 38 matches – a defensive record that still stands and is unlikely to be beaten anytime soon.
He was dominant in the air, fearless in one-on-ones and exceptionally consistent. With four league titles and countless domestic honours, Čech set the standard for a generation of Premier League goalkeepers.
4. Thibaut Courtois
Courtois blends an imposing frame with outstanding agility.
He has dominated in two of Europe’s toughest leagues. At Chelsea, he won two Premier League titles and cemented himself as one of the finest keepers England has seen in recent history.
Since moving to Real Madrid, he has been the foundation of their success, winning La Liga three times (having previously won with Atlético de Madrid) and producing a legendary Man of the Match performance in the 2022 Champions League final, where he made a record nine saves against Liverpool.
3. Manuel Neuer
Neuer revolutionised the position.
His sweeper-keeper style allowed Bayern Munich and Germany to defend with an extremely high line, safe in the knowledge that he would act as an extra defender.
Neuer won the World Cup in 2014 with Germany, as well as lifting two Champions League and 12 league titles with Bayern.
His influence extends beyond silverware – Neuer fundamentally changed goalkeeping.
2. Iker Casillas
Casillas was the heartbeat of Spain’s golden generation – captaining them to Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. Small in stature for a modern keeper, he made up for it with lightning reflexes and nerves of steel.
The Spaniard is widely recognized as the greatest goalkeeper of the Champions League era having lifted the trophy three times across a fourteen year period.
Nicknamed San Iker, his legacy is not only about medals but about being the man who always delivered when it mattered most.
1. Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon is the ultimate symbol of goalkeeping greatness.
His style combined flawless fundamentals – positioning, handling and organisation – with charisma and leadership.
He won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and played at the highest level across three decades.
Buffon didn’t just play the position – he defined it.
