The best goalkeepers in football history: TOP 10

Many consider the goalkeeper position to be the easiest in football, as there is no need to run or exert yourself, and jumping into the corner and deflecting the ball is a piece of cake. In reality, being a goalkeeper is just as difficult as playing any other position. Nevertheless, there are goalkeepers in the history of soccer who play so well in their penalty area that they strike fear into the hearts of even the best strikers on the planet. So, it's time to take a look at the ranking of the best goalkeepers of all time.

10. Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands)

The Dutchman Edwin van der Sar opens this TOP list. This goalkeeper has been excellent since his debut at Ajax and throughout his career. With each passing year, Edwin improved his skills, and his experience allowed him to avoid mistakes he had made in the past. The Dutchman played for four clubs: Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United, and also played 130 matches for the national team.

Many consider Edwin to be the best goalkeeper in terms of footwork, which was not highly valued at the time. Van der Sar did not win a single trophy at the national team level, only two bronze medals at the European Championships, but the goalkeeper won many titles at the club level, including the UEFA Champions League. In 2008, the Dutchman won the long-awaited Champions League with Manchester United, thereby writing his name in football history as the oldest goalkeeper to win the tournament. If you enjoy sports legends and games of chance, you might also want to check out Slotozen no deposit bonus codes for some exciting online gaming opportunities.

9. Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Neuer is a true master. This German stands out among all modern goalkeepers. Manuel's main strength is not his excellent handwork, but his ability to work with his feet. Fans often refer to Neuer as an extra defender. He is a master at keeping the ball at his feet and is capable of delivering both short and long passes with precision.

The German goalkeeper is valued in world football not only for his footwork. For many years, Manuel has reliably defended the goal of Bayern Munich, often seen wearing kits adorned with iconic sports brand logos. In 2014, he won the World Cup with the German national team. In the same year, Neuer took third place in France Football's Golden Ball pool.

8. Peter Shilton (England)

Shilton is a legend of English football and is rightly considered the best goalkeeper in the country's history. Consistency, intelligent positioning, concentration and many other qualities helped Peter perform successfully at both club and international level. The legendary Briton was the leader of Nottingham Forest, a team that won the European Cup two seasons in a row.

During his 30-year professional career, Peter Shilton played 1,391 official matches in all competitions, which is an absolute world record to this day. Shilton did not achieve great heights with the Three Lions, but he played in three World Cups and two European Championships.

7. Gianluigi Buffon (England)

For many fans, Gigi Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the history of football. Indeed, the Italian's successes between the posts deserve enormous praise. One of the most expensive goalkeepers in football, his coolness has saved his team on numerous occasions, whether it be Parma, Juventus, PSG or the Italian national team. His ability to anticipate the actions of the striker, then make a brilliant save and pull out a ‘dead’ ball has thrilled audiences hundreds of times.

Buffon is over 40 years old, but he has not left the field. In his career, Gigi has won everything he could, except for one club tournament. The UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious tournament in Europe, has never been conquered by ‘Superman.’ Buffon has won Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Super Cup several times, and was also the winner of the 2006 World Cup. Some football fans also believe that Gianluigi deserves the Golden Ball, but the Italian has never won the award.

6. Iker Casillas (Spain)

Iker began his professional career at a very young age, and not just any team, but Real Madrid. Youth and inexperience did not deter Iker. From his very first matches for the ‘royal club,’ the player was remembered for his confident actions and immediately gained the trust of the coaching staff. Year after year, Casillas became one of the best goalkeepers not only in the country but also in the world. With Real Madrid, the Spaniard won every title, including three Champions League trophies. Iker also proved himself at the national level. With La Roja, the goalkeeper won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships (2008 and 2012).

5. Gordon Banks (England)

Another English goalkeeper who rivals Shilton for the title of best in his country. Although Gordon Banks did not win as many titles and awards during his career as other goalkeepers, he made his mark on football history as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the world. Banks achieved great success at the 1966 World Cup on home soil. The goalkeeper went on a long run without conceding a goal in the tournament, only to be beaten by Eusebio from the penalty spot in the semi-finals. England won that World Cup, as we all know, and Gordon was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Banks is also famous in football for his incredible acrobatic save at the 1970 World Cup. The Briton somehow managed to pull off a save from a powerful shot by the legendary Pelé, earning himself a fantastic ovation from the stands.

Gordon Banks lost one eye in a car accident, but even with his injury, he continued to do what he loved and defended his goal just as successfully. England had such a great goalkeeper, and the current generation is far from Banks, nicknamed ‘Fernandel.’

4. Peter Schmeichel (Denmark)

This Danish goalkeeper was a real beast in the penalty area. He was considered a revolutionary ahead of his time, and Peter's style of play still inspires the current generation of goalkeepers. Thanks to his ability to save balls in a ‘starfish’ style (with his arms and legs spread as wide as possible), Peter became famous all over the world. In this way, the Dane saved a lot of ‘dead balls’.

The name Schmeichel is most closely associated with Manchester United. Indeed, Peter made his name with the Red Devils and even captained the team. With Manchester United, the goalkeeper won five English Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. Schmeichel also paid tribute to his native country by winning the European Championship with the national team in 1992. Incidentally, Peter has a son, Kasper Schmeichel, who is also a goalkeeper and plays in the Premier League, albeit for Leicester City.

3. Dino Zoff (Italy)

The only person who prevents Gigi Buffon from being considered the best Italian goalkeeper is Dino Zoff, who conquered the world with his magnificent play and deservedly takes third place in this ranking. At club level, Zoff played successfully for Napoli and Juventus: the goalkeeper showed his best form with the Old Lady, winning six Italian championships, two Italian Cups and a UEFA Cup. As part of the Italian national team, Dino won the 1968 European Championship and, as captain, the 1982 World Cup at the age of 40. Zoff played from 1961 to 1983, and the current generation of football fans are unfamiliar with the incredible Italian's playing style. Believe us, he was magnificent; there are very few players like him!

2. Oliver Kahn (Germany)

A titan and an impenetrable wall, the best German goalkeeper of all time, who even the amazing Manuel Neuer cannot compare to. Oliver Kahn enjoyed a magnificent career with Bayern Munich and the German national team. He always came to the rescue of his teams when the defence was powerless to do anything about the opponent's attack. Oliver was excellent in one-on-one situations, making amazing acrobatic saves, pulling balls out of the top corner, and heroically saving penalties. In the 2001 Champions League final against Spanish side Valencia, it was the German goalkeeper's saves in the penalty shootout that allowed ‘FC Hollywood’ to win the trophy for the first time in 25 years.

Kahn won everything at club level, but with the German national team he only managed to win the 1996 European Championship, while at the World Cups he only won bronze and silver. In 2002, Kahn was close to winning the World Cup, but in the final, he was beaten twice by the incredible Ronaldo, and in the end, Germany lost 2-0 to Brazil. It should be noted that Oliver Kahn won the Golden Ball as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

1. Lev Yashin (Soviet Union)

Yashin is the best goalkeeper of all time. This is the choice of our editorial team and many other authoritative Russian and foreign publications. Like few other players in the current ranking, Lev played in an era unknown to most fans of modern football, but the Soviet keeper did his job superbly.

Known by the nicknames ‘Black Spider’ and ‘Black Panther,’ Yashin was famous for his athleticism, his ability to choose the right position in goal, the courage he showed in every match, as well as his fantastic acrobatics and amazing reflexes. Lev evolved as a goalkeeper when he began giving orders to the defence and other team members, realising that he could read the game much better from his position.

The fearless Yashin was never afraid to go into a tackle with an opponent. This magnificent goalkeeper played his entire career for Moscow Dynamo, with whom he won the Soviet championship five times. The ‘Black Panther’ was the best player in the Soviet national team at the time, with which he won the first European Football Championship in history. During his career, Yashin won many different awards, but the most important of these was the Golden Ball. It was the first and only time that this individual prize was won by a goalkeeper.

The Importance of Mental Toughness in NCAA Women’s Goalkeepers

In the high-stakes world of NCAA women’s soccer, the goalkeeper position is often referred to as one of the most mentally demanding roles on the field. With the game often coming down to a single moment, the mental fortitude of a goalkeeper can be the difference between victory and defeat. Whether it's a penalty shootout or a last-minute save in the dying seconds of a match, mental toughness becomes a key asset that defines an athlete’s performance.

As fans follow sports and their favorite teams, they closely monitor player performance, just like they track IPL rate today. Similar to cricket, where mental resilience often determines the outcome of the game, in soccer, a goalkeeper’s ability to stay calm under pressure is essential for success. The challenges NCAA women’s goalkeepers face are particularly amplified due to the intense competition, the high expectations, and the balance between athletics and academics.

Mental Toughness Defined

Mental toughness refers to an athlete's ability to stay focused, composed, and confident, regardless of the pressure or adversity they face during a game. For NCAA women’s goalkeepers, this quality is especially critical, as they are often the last line of defense when the opposition is pushing hard for a goal.

Being mentally tough means maintaining emotional control in high-pressure moments, such as when facing a penalty kick or dealing with the aftermath of conceding a goal. It’s about shaking off mistakes quickly, maintaining self-belief, and being able to refocus on the task at hand without letting external factors affect performance.

The Mental Battle: High-Pressure Situations

One of the most mentally challenging aspects of being an NCAA women’s goalkeeper is dealing with high-pressure situations. A single mistake, such as a poorly timed dive or a misjudged cross, can lead to a goal, and the impact of such errors is often magnified. In these moments, mental toughness becomes crucial.

The ability to block out negative thoughts, not dwell on mistakes, and stay focused on the next play is vital. Many times, goalkeepers face intense scrutiny from fans, teammates, and coaches when they concede goals, making it even more important to manage emotions. Without mental resilience, a goalkeeper can spiral into self-doubt, which can affect their performance in subsequent plays.

Confidence and Self-Belief

A major aspect of mental toughness is self-belief, and confidence is key for NCAA women’s goalkeepers to thrive. Goalkeepers must trust in their abilities, techniques, and training to make important saves. Without confidence, even the most skilled goalkeeper can hesitate, leading to missed opportunities and goals conceded.

Goalkeepers who possess mental toughness are those who stay positive and have the belief that they can make the next save, no matter the situation. This confidence enables them to make split-second decisions under pressure, and it helps them execute the necessary movements to keep their team in the game. Whether they are facing a breakaway or a free kick from 30 yards out, goalkeepers must trust their instincts and remain confident in their skills.

Resilience After Mistakes

Even the best goalkeepers in the NCAA will make mistakes — it’s inevitable. The key difference between a good goalkeeper and an exceptional one is how they recover from those mistakes. Mental toughness allows goalkeepers to bounce back after conceding a goal or making an error.

Instead of dwelling on their mistakes, resilient goalkeepers quickly regroup, focus on the present moment, and prepare themselves for the next challenge. Mental toughness helps them avoid becoming distracted by negative thoughts, which can snowball into further errors. Staying resilient and composed after a mistake is what separates elite goalkeepers from the rest, and it's a trait that NCAA women’s goalkeepers must develop to succeed.

Emotional Control During Key Moments

In high-stakes matches, such as those in the NCAA tournament, emotional control becomes an even greater factor. Women’s goalkeepers often find themselves in situations where the game’s outcome hinges on their performance in critical moments. Whether it’s stopping a penalty kick or making a key save in extra time, the pressure can be immense.

Having the mental toughness to remain calm and composed during these moments is essential. Goalkeepers who let their emotions get the best of them can find themselves making rash decisions or losing focus, which can lead to disastrous consequences. Mental toughness allows goalkeepers to perform under pressure without allowing anxiety or stress to interfere with their ability to execute their skills.

Visualization and Preparation

One of the tools that NCAA women’s goalkeepers use to build mental toughness is visualization. By mentally rehearsing different game scenarios, goalkeepers can prepare themselves for the various challenges they may face on the field. Visualizing success helps goalkeepers develop a mental script for handling difficult situations, which allows them to stay calm and focused during the actual game.

Goalkeepers also work with sports psychologists to improve their mental skills, using techniques like mindfulness and breathing exercises to reduce stress and stay in the moment. Preparation goes beyond just physical training; mental preparation is just as important, if not more so, when it comes to developing the resilience needed to succeed in high-pressure situations.

Conclusion: A Vital Component for Success

For NCAA women’s goalkeepers, mental toughness is an indispensable trait that contributes significantly to their success on the field. From managing high-pressure situations and building confidence to recovering from mistakes and staying emotionally controlled, mental resilience is what helps goalkeepers thrive in challenging environments.

In the world of NCAA soccer, where every game matters and every moment counts, mental toughness is the difference between a goalkeeper who falters under pressure and one who rises to the occasion. With training, experience, and the right mindset, NCAA women’s goalkeepers can continue to demonstrate the power of mental strength, shaping their careers and inspiring the next generation of players.

Top 100 USWNT Goalkeeper Pool

In conjunction with the USMNT depth chart, the we’re now expanding the USWNT Goalkeeper Pool posts to include 100 American goalkeepers! Each goalkeeper is slotted by a number of factors: historical individual results, current individual level of play, and projected on-field performance. The top 100 attempts to remove exterior noise and team statistics to isolate the goalkeeper’s true ability. The blocks of twenty names feature a brief paragraph on players to watch, giving a small bio about certain goalkeepers and what to look out for in the coming months.

To see how the top 100 rankings have evolved since March 2015, click here.

1. Jane Campbell, 30 - Houston Dash
2. Angelina Anderson, 24 - Angel City FC
3. Mandy McGlynn, 26 - Utah Royals
4. Aubrey Kingsbury, 33 - Washington Spirit
5. Bella Bixby, 29 - Portland Thorns FC
6. Alyssa Naeher, 37 - Chicago Stars
7. Casey Murphy, 29 - North Carolina Courage
8. Phallon Tullis-Joyce, 28 - Manchester United (England.1)
9. Jordan Silkowitz, 25 - Bay FC
10. Katie Lund, 28 - Racing Louisville

11. Erin Seppi, 27 - Valadares Gaia (Portugal.1)
12. Hillary Beall, 26 - San Diego Wave
13. Claudia Dickey, 25 - Seattle Reign
14. Adrianna Franch, 34 - Birmingham City (England.2)
15. Cassie Miller, 30 - Seattle Reign
16. Samantha Murphy, 28 - Carolina Ascent (USA.1U)
17. Laurel Ivory, 25 - Kansas City Current
18. Shelby Hogan, 27 - Gotham FC
19. Jalen Tompkins, 28 - Brondby (Denmark.1)
20. Jordyn Bloomer, 27 - Racing Louisville

Ones to watch: The race to replace Naeher is still on. Unfortunately, the USWNT has done a fantastic job of avoiding prepping for this moment for about ten years. Campbell, McGlynn, and Tullis-Joyce were recently called into the national team but none of them have locked down the position in a convincing fashion, speaking partly to the depth at the position. Bixby and Kinsbury, two of the more decorated veterans on the list, could theoretically work their way in but eyes are turning to Anderson and Silkowitz after the stellar start to 2025. The question for the number one going forward is centered around whoever can balance a consistent level of play, doesn’t default to sitting on their line, and won’t resort to booting the ball downfield on every touch. As of right now, Emma Hayes is still on the search.

21. Bridgette Skiba, 25 - Lexington SC (USA.1U)
22. Kelsey Daugherty, 28 - Celtic (Scotland.1)
23. Shae Yanez, 28 - Crystal Palace (England.2)
24. Abby Smith, 31 - Houston Dash
25. Emily Dolan, 30 - Damaiense (Portugal.1)
26. Mackenzie Wood, 24 - Chicago Stars
27. Jessica Berlin, 26 - Thor/KA (Iceland.1)
28. Katelin Talbert, 26 - Tottenahm (England.1)
29. Ashley Orkus, 26 - Tampa Bay Sun FC (USA.1U)
30. Hensley Hancuff, 24 - North Carolina Courage

31. Olivia Sekany, 26 - Racing Louisville #
32. Kaylie Collins, 27 - Washington Spirit
33. Monica Wilhelm, 25 - Eskilstuna United (Sweden.2)
34. Kaylan Marckese, 27 - Tampa Bay Sun FC (USA.1U)
35. Katherine Asman, 25 - Orlando Pride
36. Makenna Gottschalk, 26 - Fort Lauderdale FC (USA.1U)
37. Melissa Lowder, 28 - Bay FC
38. Heather Hinz, 23 - Houston Dash
39. Aubrei Corder, 27 - Bodø / Glimt (Norway.2)
40. McKinley Crone, 26 - Orlando Pride

# - on loan with Brisbane Roar

Ones to watch: As we enter the back half of the decade, we’re finally seeing a steady stream of American goalkeepers carving out a career overseas and not just returning after one or two seasons. Tullis-Joyce and Tompkins lead the list but Daughtery, Dolan, and others are following suit. The challenge these goalkeepers face is limited investment, largely leaving their development to their own hands. Although these goalkeepers don’t mind playing the underdog role, it’s quite common to see goalkeepers plateau in the development, especially in their tactical understanding of the game. Whether through limited minutes or a lack of a full-time goalkeeper coach, it’s difficult for goalkeepers to continue to understand the nuances of in-game moments. Hopefully, American sides, like Racing Louisville, will continue to lean into loan options while also valuing American goalkeepers who developed outside the US.

41. Marisa Jordan, 24 - North Carolina Courage
42. Lindsey Harris, 31 - Al-Qadisiah (Saudi Arabia.1)
43. Sarah Cox, 31 - Lexington SC (USA.1U)
44. Hannah Seabert, 30 - Sporting CP (Portugal.1)
45. Macy Enneking, 24 - Seattle Reign
46. Cosette Morche, 27 - Fort Lauderdale FC (USA.1U)
47. Lauren Kozal, 24 - Grasshopper (Switzerland.1)
48. Noa Schumacher, 25 - Hibernian (Scotland.1)
49. Meagan McClelland, 24 - Carolina Ascent (USA.1U)
50. Kenna Caldwell, 24 - Molde FK (Norway.2)

51. Madison White, 23 - Racing Louisville #
52. Cat Sheppard, 24 - Sporting CP (Portugal.1)
53. Izzy Nino, 25 - Spokane Zephyr (USA.1U)
54. Marz Josephson, 24 - Free Agent
55. Taiana Tolleson, 27 - Lexington SC (USA.1U)
56. Claire Henninger, 24 - Torreense (Portugal.1)
57. Adelaide Gay, 35 - DC Power FC (USA.1U)
58. Morgan Messner, 25 - Portland Thorns FC
59. Megan Plaschko, 23 - Athlone Town AFC (Ireland.1)
60. Hope Hisey, 23 - Zephyr FC (USA.1U)

# - on loan with Dallas Trinity

Ones to watch: While we continue to wait for promising goalkeepers like Marisa Jordan, Macey Enneking, or Marz Josephson to get a fair shake, their peers are vying to make a name for themselves elsewhere. Madison White has done well with Dallas Trinity while fellow Big 12-alum Megan Plaschko sits atop the Irish Premier Division with Athlone Town (as of early May). Both goalkeepers have shown big moments but still need to find the right balance of power and mobility, which can typically found in nuanced footwork. If they can keep detailing their approach to the game in a way that best suits them and not shoehorn someone else’s style, then they may have a chance at making it in the best league in the world.

61. Liz Harrington, 26 - Hibernians (Malta.1)
62. Emmie Allen, 22 - Bay FC
63. Halle Mackiewicz, 23 - Chicago Stars
64. Caroline DeLisle, 25 - Norrkoping (Sweden.1)
65. Erin McKinney, 25 - Fort Lauderdale FC (USA.1U)
66. Elaina LaMacchia, 25 - Fram Reykjavik (Iceland.1)
67. Cayla White, 24 - Odense BK (Denmark.1)
68. Maddy Anderson, 23 - Racing Louisville
69. Mollee Swift, 24 - Throttur (Iceland.1)
70. Olivia Pratapas, 23 - NC State

71. Lyza Jessee, 23 - Washington Spirit
72. Christina Holguin, 28 - Juarez (Mexico.1)
73. Ryan Campbell, 23 - Gotham FC
74. Maddie Smith, 24 - Free Agent
75. Kate Devine, 23 - Breiðablik (Iceland.1)
76. CJ Graham, 23 - Free Agent
77. Leah Freeman, 23 - Free Agent
78. Kayla Thompson, 26 - Toluca (Mexico.1)
79. Hailey Coll, 23 - Zephyr FC (USA.1U)
80. Mikki Easter, 24 - FCPS (Austria.2)

Ones to watch: After a combined 600 minutes between Kate Devine and Mikki Easter last fall, neither goalkeeper is letting the sluggish season be the final chapter in their playing career. Both goalkeepers are on the opposite end of the spectrum as the aforementioned White and Plaschko (above) as Devine and Easter rely more on their feet to solve attacks, whether in shot-stopping or shot-prevention. Iceland’s first division and, certainly, Austria’s second division can get scrappy at times but as long as the goalkeepers can focus on minimizing the chaos and not feeding into it, look for them to spring board to higher levels of play next season.

81. Ashley Naylor, 23 - FCPS (Austria.2)
82. Samantha Estrada, 24 - Dallas Trinity (USA.1U)
83. Stephanie Sparkowski, 23 - Free Agent
84. Kaitlyn Parks, 23 - Free Agent
85. Lauren Kellett, 23 - Tampa Bay Sun FC (USA.1U)
86. Elizabeth Beardsley, 22 - Houston Dash
87. Nadia Cooper, 22 - Free Agent
88. Mia Justus, 22 - Utah Royals
89. Alexa Goldberg, 24 - Brooklyn FC (USA.1U)
90. Maddie Prohaska, 22 - Seattle Reign

91. Genevieve Crenshaw, 22 - Tindastóll (Iceland.1)
92. Ally Zazzara, 22 - University of Tennessee
93. Tyler McCamey, 22 - Gotham FC
94. Cora Brendle, 23 - Free Agent
95. Amber Lockwood, 23 - Clube de Albergaria (Portugal.1)
96. Neeku Purcell, 21 - Brooklyn FC (USA.1U)
97. Ally Lynch, 22 - Purdue University
98. Sally Rainey, 22 - University of Indiana
99. Dmitri Fong, 27 - Vllaznia (Albania.1)
100. Teagan Wy, 21 - University of California

Ones to watch: Last but not least, this group of mostly young goalkeepers - some with college eligibility left and some without - will all have the tough task of continuing their development while not losing momentum. Although goalkeepers can certainly play into their late 30s, it’s hard to develop much once you’ve hit your mid-20s. Tactical decision-making, space optimization, and maximizing efficient response times pose significant challenges for college goalkeepers eyeing the pro scene. Ideally, a goalkeeper should look noticeably sharper from even 21 to 24 but it’s not uncommon to see a goalkeeper plateau in their development at those ages. Sparkowski, Beardsley, and Cooper are good examples of goalkeepers who are still developing - as displayed with several highs and lows this past fall - and need an arena to keep that momentum going.