Ranking Factors
-
Longevity – If they performed for a longer period than the average goalkeeper, they have been ranked at the top, simply because it shows how they have been able to continually adapt despite the modern game changing throughout the decades.
-
Consistency – It’s all about world-class performances year in and year out make a goalkeeper better. If they’ve done that throughout their professional career, they have been ranked higher.
-
Performances in the big games (finals) – Finals are the most important games in a player’s professional career. If a goalkeeper has played a crucial part in these games, they have been ranked higher.
| 1. | Lev Yashin | 1950 – 1970 |
| 2. |
Gianluigi Buffon
|
1995 – 2023 |
| 3. | Manuel Neuer | 2004 – Present |
| 4. |
Iker Casillas
|
1998 – 2020 |
| 5. |
Oliver Kahn
|
1987 – 2008 |
| 6. | Petr Cech | 1999 – 2019 |
| 7. |
Peter Schmeichel
|
1981 – 2003 |
| 8. |
Edwin van der Sar
|
1990 – 2016 |
| 9. |
Alisson Becker
|
2013 – Present |
| 10. | Gordon Banks | 1958 – 1977 |
| 11. | Pat Jennings | 1963 – 1986 |
| 12. | Dida | 1992 – 2015 |
| 13. | David Seaman | 1982 – 2004 |
| 14. | Thibaut Courtois | 2009 – Present |
| 15. | Hugo Lloris | 2005 – Present |
| 16. | Sepp Maier | 1962 – 1980 |
| 17. | Neville Southall | 1973 – 2002 |
| 18. | Dino Zoff | 1961 – 1983 |
| 19. | Andoni Zubizarreta | 1980 – 1998 |
| 20. | Peter Shilton | 1966 – 1997 |
Let’s pick a few of them out now and describe some positive facts during their careers:
DINO ZOFF:
Dino Zoff after playing for Napoli and Udinese became an icon for Juventus and Italian national team throughout the 1970’s running into the early 80’s. His most notable achievement is the 1982 World Cup triumph for the Azzurri, where he captained the side to glory. After finishing runner-up in 1970, it was looking as if Zoff would go his whole career without a World Cup triumph, but 1982 saw the legendary goalkeeper win the trophy at the age of 40. Zoff was goalkeeper of the tournament for making several outstanding and decisive saves, like the one made against Brazil at the 89th minute that gave Italy the Semifinal!
At club level, he won everything with the exception of the Champions League (European Cup, runner up in 1983), winning 6 Serie A titles as well as 2 Coppa Italia’s and a Europa League (UEFA Cup).
Zoff then became a very successful soccer coach, 3 seasons with Juventus winning a Coppa Italia and a Europa League in the same season to then pass on to SS Lazio where he coached for 5 seasons, taking the Bianco Celesti back in Europe after 21 years!
Neville Southall
Born in Llandudno (North Wales Neville Southall began his career amateur career in the late 70’s in his hometown for Llandudno United. However, in he moved on to pro-soccer with English football team Bury FC in 1980, before being transferred to Premier League team Everton FC. Southall spent 17 years at Everton, winning two league titles in 85 and 86, two FA Cups, and the 1984/85 European Cup Winners’ Cup. The last team to win a UEFA title prior to the UK teams ban.
Southall also played internationally for Wales, collecting 92 caps between 1982 and 1998, however he did not feature in any major international competitions.
Gordon Banks:
World Cup winner in 1966 with the best England team of all times, Gordon Banks made the FIFA best save of all times at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, denying the one and only Pele with a save that the naked eye struggled to comprehend. Banks flew at least 12ft across the goal line to sweep over the crossbar an amazing header at close range.
He spent nearly all of his playing career at Leicester City and Stoke City, winning one League Cup at both clubs. However, his legacy is enhanced by his time with the England national team. Like said he helped the England win the World Cup in 1966, collecting 73 caps over the years. For some reason Banks never got to play for a major club and for this maybe he is not ranked in the top 10 of all times.
Manuel Neuer: