Your favorite goalkeeper is a combination of exceptional reflexes, great decision-making skills, and the ability to function well under pressure. However, the “World Cup best goalkeeper” stands out of the bunch.
Most notably, football fans will never forget stars like Germany's Manuel Neuer, Spain's Iker Casillas, and Argentina's Emiliano Martinez.
They're the result of grit, endless practice, resilience, and, most importantly, an outstanding team. This article by Evelyn Balyton, an expert in sports analysis and history, sheds light on the ranking of the most successful goalkeepers in World Cup history.
The Greatest Goalkeepers of All Time
As the World Cup draws closer, talks about the history and future of this great event will get more intense. On the lips of many will be not only the players that'll impress the world but also the goalkeepers that'll contribute to their success.
As the experts at MightyTips.ph say, “Beyond the anticipation associated with the World Cup, even more exciting can be sports betting.” These expert reviews offer useful sports betting information on competitive odds and various esports offerings.
Many bookmakers are already analyzing the teams, watching the qualifying matches and making their predictions. Therefore, all soccer fans can also be part of the world of excitement and extra income.
Without further ado, let's throwback to the World Cup goalkeepers worth remembering. Many goalkeepers have graced the fields of the World Cup tournaments, but the greatest goalkeepers of all time stand out because of their fantastic reflexes.
We rank them based on their world records, clean sheets, performances, and team impact here:
Gianluigi Buffon of Italy
Out of 124 games, Buffon holds 52 clean sheets. He was the World Cup's best goalkeeper, helping Italy win the 2006 World Cup with five clean sheets. His World Cup appearances include:
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
Although he never won the Champions League, the 46-year-old ex-goalkeeper remains one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. “The most capped goalkeeper, the most capped Italian ever, the fourth-most capped European football player, but most of all a very good person, who was not just a teammate, but also a second father, a teacher and always raised his voice for unprivileged people. So I am sure he is number one to deserve this trophy.
“And, for me personally, the best goalkeeper ever in history,” said Ceferin.
History has confirmed that Buffon is one of the best goalkeepers of all time. The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) awarded him the best-performing man goalkeeper of the calendar year. He won this award five times, making him one of the goalkeepers with the most wins.
Gordon Banks of England
With 679 appearances in his 20-year career, England’s Gordon Banks remains one of the best goalkeepers of all time. He was the goalkeeper for England in the World Cup twice - once in 1966 and the other in 1970. In a total of 9 matches, the opposing teams never scored once.
According to the International Football Hall of Fame, Banks was the best goalkeeper in the world for a decade. Although his beginning wasn’t exactly enviable (Roman Welfare of the Yorkshire League dismissed him for missing 15 goals), he didn’t give up until he became the undeniable best.
Banks wrote in his autobiography, Banks of England: "If I had to select a match from the seventy-three I played in for England as the No. 1 classic, it would have to be this. The football played at Wembley that evening has never in my experience been surpassed."
The legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks retired from football with an outstanding 35 clean sheets for England.
Manuel Nuer of germany
Bundesliga Club Bayern Munich's Nuer, who won the World Cup in 2014, was another force to be reckoned with. Before he retired from international football, he was one of the most-capped German players globally. He gave his teammates utter peace of mind because they could trust his skills as a goalkeeper.
Supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, "Manuel Neuer has already made history with his glittering career in the national team. In my opinion, he is the greatest goalkeeper German football has ever produced. He changed the goalkeeping game and raised it to a new level; he set the benchmark and ensured that goalkeepers all over the world emulated his style. His signing in 2011 was one of the best transfers FC Bayern have ever made. The decision to now focus exclusively on FC Bayern is logical and correct from Manuel's point of view - and he will do everything he can to ensure that the coming season is more successful than the last."
Before retiring, Manuel Nuer kept 226 clean sheets, keeping him at the top of the record of players with the most clean sheets in Bundesliga history.
Iker Casillas of Spain
Casillas' career as a goalkeeper ended in 2020 after he created a solid reputation as one of the best to have ever lived. AKA San Iker, this legendary player was renowned for saving his teammates at the last minute. His reflexes and skills were unquestionable, granting him one of the top clean sheets in Spanish history.
In 1999, he became the youngest goalkeeper to participate in the final of the Champions League, an event he won with his team. As a testament to his incredible talent, this remarkable goalkeeper won two Champions Leagues and La Liga titles in his first three seasons.
Casillas didn’t stop there. He was the youngest player to save a spot-kick at a World Cup.
He collected many major club titles, including:
Five La Liga Titles
Two Copa del Rey Titles
Four Supercopa de Espana titles
Three UEFA Super Cups
Two Intercontinental Cups
2002 World Cup
Emiliano Martinez of Argentina
Recognized by Fifa as the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper twice, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is one of the most remarkable players to have ever graced the pitch.
From winning the Copa America twice to qualifying for the Champions League, Martinez’s viral saves and fascinating reflexes are the tip of his legendary iceberg.
El Dibuuuu has become a household name thanks to this man. Martinez won the 2022 World Cup, the Best FIFA Goalkeeper, the FA Cup, the FA Community Shield, the Yashin Trophy, the Golden Glove World Cup, and many more awards.
Most notably, Emiliano Martinez was popular for saving penalty kicks. While playing for Premier League Club Aston Villa, he kept 15 clean sheets in his first season. Without a doubt, fans will always remember him for his outstanding distribution and shot-stopping ability, among other skills on the football field.
Conclusion
The world’s best goalkeepers are outstanding players with great reflexes, many awards, and unbeatable performances. They have record-worthy clean sheets, invaluable talent, and global skills.
These men are Golden Glove winners, World Cup Legends, and shot-stoppers, to sum up their professional careers. Without a doubt, it'll be difficult to replace these men who will soon retire or have retired already.