Top 25 greatest goalkeepers of all time in football history

Top 25 greatest goalkeepers of all time in football history

Kenneth Mwenda, Peris Walubengo, Adrianna Simwa
updated at May 28, 2024 at 10:35 AM

The greatest goalkeepers of all time in football history are renowned for their strength, handling technique, speed, agility, consistency, and vigilance on the pitch. Their impressive skills in saving the goals, including penalties and free kicks, catapulted their teams to multiple victories. Find out who the greatest goalkeepers of all time are.

Greatest goalkeepers of all time in football history
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Table of Сontents:

This article lists male athletes considered the greatest goalkeepers of all time, along with their last or current clubs as plays. Additionally, it shared their senior career metrics (total club appearances, goals conceded, and clean sheets) as well as their international career stats (national team caps/goals).

Top 25 greatest goalkeepers of all time in football history

Below is a list of the greatest goalkeepers of all time Premier League. These players are drawn from different teams, leagues, and nationalities. Some are retired, while others continue to play football competitively.

Rank

Name

Career status

Last/current team as player

Professional career

1

Bruce David Grobbelaar

Retired

Glasshoughton Welfare

1973-2007

2

Andre Arendse

Retired

Bidvest Wits

1991–2013

3

Édouard Mendy

Active

Al-Ahli

2011-present

4

Richard Kingson

Retired

Great Olympics

1995-2015

5

Carl Ikeme

Active

Doncaster Rovers

2003-2018

6

Mike Maignan

Active

AC Milan

2012-present

7

Gianluigi Buffon

Retired

Parma

1995–2018

8

Iker Casillas

Retired

Porto

1998-2016

9

Manuel Neuer

Active

Bayern Munich

2004-present

10

Dino Zoff

Retired

Juventus

1961-1983

11

Petr Čech

Retired

Arsenal

1999-2016

12

Oliver Kahn

Retired

Bayern Munich

1987-2006

13

Peter Schmeichel

Retired

Manchester City

1981-2003

14

Gordon Banks

Retired and deceased

St Patrick's Athletic

1958-1977

15

Edwin van der Sar

Retired

VV Noordwijk

1990-2016

16

Ricardo Zamora

Retired and deceased

Nice

1916-1930

17

Giampiero Combi

Retired and deceased

Juventus

1921-1934

18

Michel Preud'homme

Retired

Benfica

1977-1999

19

Peter Shilton

Retired

Leyton Orient

1966–1997

20

Neville Southall

Retired

Dagenham & Redbridge

1973-2002

21

Hugo Lloris

Active

Los Angeles FC

2005–present

22

Pat Jennings

Retired

Everton

1963–1986

23

Álisson Becker

Active

Liverpool

2013-present

24

Thibaut Courtois

Active

Real Madrid

2009-present

25

Lev Yashin

Retired and deceased

Dynamo Moscow

1950-1970

Greatest goalkeepers of all time in football

For decades, the world has seen many gifted goalkeepers, but only a few have achieved exceptional career success. So, in recognition of their professional accomplishments, those who make a lasting impression on the international sports scene are hailed as the best goalkeepers in football history.

25. Lev Yashin

greatest goalkeepers
Yashin was known for his athleticism, positioning, imposing presence in goal, and acrobatic reflex saves. Photo: @mundialstyle, @Stickerpedia (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Lev Ivanovich Yashin
  • Date of birth: 22 October 1929
  • Died: 20 March 1990 (age 60 years)
  • Place of birth: Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union

Yashin was known for his athleticism, positioning, imposing presence in goal, and acrobatic reflex saves. He earned status for revolutionizing the goalkeeping position by imposing his authority on the entire defense. Lev Yashin was also deputy chairman of the Football Federation of the Soviet Union.

24. Thibaut Courtois

greatest goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois is known for his reflexes, acrobatic saves, and command of the penalty area. Photo: @CourtoisOfficial (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois
  • Date of birth: 11 May 1992
  • Age: 32 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Bree, Belgium

Courtois is known for his reflexes, acrobatic saves, and command of the penalty area. He began his career with Genk and made his senior debut in 2009 at age 16. Thibaut Courtois went on to establish himself as the club's starting goalkeeper and won the Belgian Pro League. He now plays as a goalkeeper for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Belgium national team.

23. Alisson Becker

greatest goalkeepers
Alisson Becker is renowned for his immense shot stopping, distribution and ability in one-on-one situations. Photo: @AlissonBeckerOficial (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Álisson Ramsés Becker
  • Date of birth: 2 October 1992
  • Age: 31 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Novo Hamburgo, Brazil

Becker is renowned for his immense shot-stopping, distribution and ability in one-on-one situations. He joined Internacional's academy in 2002, progressing through his youth career before making his senior debut in 2013. Álisson Becker now plays for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazil national team.

22. Pat Jennings

greatest goalkeepers
Pat Jennings is acknowledged for playing 119 international matches for Northern Ireland. Photo: @TottenhamHotspur, @agenicharity (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Patrick Anthony Jennings
  • Date of birth: 12 June 1945
  • Age: 78 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Newry, Northern Ireland

Jennings started his career at Watford FC before spending thirteen years at Tottenham Hotspur, where he played in 472 league games and 591 in all competitions. He then played for Arsenal for around 8 years, then moved to Everton and retired in 1986. Pat Jennings is acknowledged for playing 119 international matches for Northern Ireland in an international career which lasted for over 22 years.

21. Hugo Lloris

greatest goalkeepers
Lloris began his career at his older brother's former club Nice as a central defender. Photo: @TottenhamHotspur, @agenicharity (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Hugo Hadrien Dominique Lloris
  • Date of birth: 26 December 1986
  • Age: 37 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Nice, France

Lloris began his career at his older brother's former club, Nice, as a central defender. He made his debut as a teenager in October 2005 and started as a goalkeeper during the team's run to the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue final. After another solid season with Nice, Hugo Lloris moved to Lyon. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur between 2012 and 2024, then joined the Los Angeles FC in 2024.

20. Neville Southall

greatest goalkeepers
Neville Southall won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985. Photo: @BBCMOTD, @artoffooballLtd (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Neville Southall
  • Date of birth: 16 September 1958
  • Age: 65 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Llandudno, United Kingdom

Neville Southall is a former international football player and coach. He is described as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, having won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985. Before retiring from playing, Neville Southall played for 18 teams, including his last team, Dagenham & Redbridge.

19. Peter Shilton

greatest goalkeepers
Peter Shilton played won many honors, including two European Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, the First Division championship, and the Football League Cup. Photo: @petershiltonofficial (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Peter Leslie Shilton
  • Date of birth: 18 September 1949
  • Age: 74 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Leicester, England

Peter Shilton is one of the 20 greatest goalkeepers of all time. He had a 30-year career, including spells at 11 clubs and over 1,000 league games. Some of the clubs he played for were Leicester City, West Ham United, Coventry City, Bolton Wanderers, and Plymouth Argyle. Peter Shilton retired in 1997.

18. Michel Preud'homme

greatest goalkeepers
Michel Preud'homme is the Standard Liège's vice-president and sports director. Photo: @MPHMichelPreudhomme (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Michel Georges Jean Ghislain Preud'homme
  • Date of birth: 24 January 1959
  • Age: 65 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Ougrée, Seraing, Belgium

Michel Preud'homme is a retired footballer and manager who played as a goalkeeper. He is the sitting vice president and sports director at Standard Liège. He was considered one of the world's best and most consistent goalkeepers during his professional career. Michel Preud'homme retired at Benfica in 1999.

17. Giampiero Combi

greatest goalkeepers
Giampiero Combi spent his entire club career at Juventus, where he won five Italian League titles. Photo: @KhaledAlnouss2, @AroundTurin (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Gianpiero Combi
  • Date of birth: 20 November 1902
  • Died: 12 August 1956 (age 53 years)
  • Place of birth: Turin, Italy

The late Gianpiero Combi spent his entire youth and senior football career at Juventus, where he won five Italian League titles. He was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world during the 1930s and is regarded as one of Italy's best-ever goalkeepers.

16. Ricardo Zamora

greatest goalkeepers
Ricardo Zamora won two La Liga titles with Atlético Madrid. Photo: @footballmemorys, @OldRcd (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Ricardo Zamora Martínez
  • Date of birth: 21 January 1901
  • Died: 8 September 1978
  • Place of birth: 21 January 1901

The late Ricardo Zamora was a footballer and manager. He was mainly known as a Real Madrid goalkeeper, although he played for five clubs in his senior career, including FC Barcelona. Zamora had all the virtues imaginable in a goalkeeper, which is why he was known as the divine one.

15. Edwin van der Sar

greatest goalkeepers
Edwin van der Sar was the chief executive officer of Ajax. Photo: @edwinvandersar1 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Edwin van der Sar
  • Date of birth: 29 October 1970
  • Age: 53 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Voorhout, Netherlands

Edwin van der Sar was an exceptional sportsman and athlete. He helped the Red Devils to clinch four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. Edwin van der Sar retired from active football after playing for United against Barcelona in the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final but still played for the Dutch amateur team, VV Noordwijk, in 2016.

14. Gordon Banks

greatest goalkeepers
Gordon Banks started every England national team's game in the1966 World Cup victory. Photo: @Nostalgia Futbolera, @BBCRadio4 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Gordon Banks
  • Date of birth: 30 December 1937
  • Date of death: 12 February 2019 (aged 81)
  • Place of birth: Sheffield, England

The late Gordon Banks was one of the best English goalkeepers of all time. He made 73 appearances for his country and was named the IFFHS' second-best goalkeeper of the 20th century. His career was cut short on 22 October 1972 when his right eye lost sight in a car accident.

13. Peter Schmeichel

greatest goalkeepers
Peter Schmeichel won 15 trophies, including five Premier League titles and three FA Cups, in his eight seasons at Man-U. Photo: @Peter-Schmeichel-100050587625021 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Peter Bolesław Schmeichel
  • Date of birth: 18 November 1963
  • Age: 60 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Gladsaxe, Denmark

Peter Schmeichel is a former professional goalkeeper. During eight seasons at English club Manchester United, he captained the club to victory in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final. He also played with the Danish national team, with whom he won the UEFA Euro 1992. Peter Schmeichel played his last season with Manchester City before retiring in 2003.

12. Oliver Kahn

greatest goalkeepers
Kahn started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team in 1975 and made his debut match in the professional squad twelve years later. Photo: @OfficialOliverKahn (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Oliver Rolf Kahn
  • Date of birth: 15 June 1969
  • Age: 54 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Karlsruhe, Germany

The retired goalkeeper is ranked among Germany's most distinguished footballers. Bayern Munich won eight Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, six League Cups, a UEFA Cup, and a Champions League when Oliver Kahn was a goalie for the team.

11. Petr Čech

greatest goalkeepers
Petr Čech is currently an ice hockey player playing as a goaltender for the Oxford City Stars. Photo: @PetrCech.official (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Petr Čechis
  • Date of birth: 20 May 1982
  • Age: 42 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Plzeň, Czechoslovakia

Petr Čechis is among the best goalkeepers of all time ranker history. He achieved many UEFA Champions League and Europa League titles in his career. Petr Cech now plays semi-professional ice hockey as Chelmsford Chieftains' goaltender and is Chelsea's technical and performance advisor.

10. Dino Zoff

greatest goalkeepers
Dino Zoff is the oldest ever winner of the World Cup, which he attained as the Italy national team captain in 1982, at the age of 40. Photo: @juventusfcen, @torontoitalians (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Dino Zoff
  • Date of birth: 28 February 1942
  • Age: 82 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Mariano del Friuli, Italy

Dino Zoff made history as the oldest player to win a World Cup at 40 while captaining the Italian squad. His last international team was Juventus. Dino Zoff made his final appearance with the Italian national team on 29 May 1983 and retired on 2 June 1983.

9. Manuel Neuer

greatest goalkeepers
Neuer is nicknamed "sweeper-keeper" since he often rushes off his line to anticipate opponents, hence going out of the penalty area. Photo: @manuel.neuer (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Manuel Peter Neuer
  • Date of birth: 27 March 1986
  • Age: 38 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Neuer is among the few goalkeepers who can play other positions. Football fans once persuaded him to take the midfielder position. He assumes the roles of a defender or free-kick taker any time Bayern trails behind in important games. Manuel Neuer has been playing for Bayern Munich since 2011.

8. Iker Casillas

greatest goalkeepers
Iker Casillas was dubbed "San Iker" because of his ability to produce spectacular saves. Photo: @Iker.Casillas (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Iker Casillas Fernández
  • Date of birth: 20 May 1981
  • Age: 43 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Móstoles, Spain

Iker Casillas Fernández is among the seven keepers who have won the UCL thrice. He played 725 times for Real Madrid during his 16-year senior career before joining FC Porto in 2015. Iker Casillas was Spain's first-choice goalkeeper from 2008 to 2012. He retired in August 2020 and is now the deputy to the Real Madrid Foundation CEO.

7. Gianluigi Buffon

greatest goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon the most capped player in the history of the Italy national team. Photo: @GianluigiBuffon (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Gianluigi Buffon
  • Date of birth: 28 January 1978
  • Age: 46 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Carrara, Italy

Gianluigi is among the top 10 world best goalkeepers of all time in the Premier League. Numerous football pundits consider him to be the greatest Italian shot-stopper of all time in the 2000s. Between 1997 and 2018, the Juventus star played 178 times for Italy, winning the World Cup in 2006. Gianluigi Buffon retired in 2023. He is among the few recorded players with over 1,100 professional career appearances.

6. Mike Maignan

Mike Maignan of Ac Milan warm up prior to the Serie A TIM
Mike Maignan of Ac Milan warm up prior to the Serie A TIM match between Torino FC and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico di Torino in Turin, Italy. Photo: sportinfoto
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Carl Onora Ikeme
  • Date of birth: 8 June 1986
  • Age: 37 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Sutton Coldfield, England

AC Milan's Mike Maignan plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club AC Milan and the France national team. He played for Paris Saint-Germain and Lille before joining AC Milan. Mike Maignan made his senior international debut in 2020. He was selected in the French squad for UEFA Euro 2020.

5. Carl Ikeme

greatest goalkeepers
Carl Ikeme spent most of his senior career years at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Photo: @NPFLUpdates1, @RevistaImprensa (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Carl Onora Ikeme
  • Date of birth: 8 June 1986
  • Age: 37 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Sutton Coldfield, England

Carl Ikeme, a retired player, was the longest-serving Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper. He never signed a permanent contract with another club despite spending 15 years on loan at eight different clubs. Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia a year before the 2018 World Cup. He beat the illness but did not return to the field.

4. Richard Kingson

greatest goalkeepers
Richard Kingson is also known by his Turkish name, Faruk Gürsoy. Photo: @BeyondThePitchGH, @ampofoowuraku (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Richard Kingson
  • Date of birth: 13 June 1978
  • Age: 45 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Accra, Ghana

Retired footballer Richard Kingson is one of the top 5 best goalkeepers in the world of all time. He played in two FIFA World Cups and five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Blackpool, and Galatasaray are among the international clubs he played for. He remains one of the best African goalkeepers ever.

3. Édouard Mendy

greatest goalkeepers
Édouard Mendy played in the Le Havre academy before signing professional terms with third division Cherbourg in 2011. Photo: @edou_mendy (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Édouard Osoque Mendy
  • Date of birth: 1 March 1992
  • Age: 32 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Montivilliers, France

Édouard Osoque Mendy is a goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli and the Senegal national team. He was named the best goalkeeper in the world during the 2021 FIFA Best Awards. Édouard Mendy remains one of the greatest EPL goalkeepers of all time.

2. Andre Arendse

greatest goalkeepers
Former goalkeeper Andre Arendse has also been a co-presenter with SuperSport. Photo: @SuperSportFC, @thediskigeneral10 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Andre Leander Arendse
  • Date of birth: 27 June 1967
  • Age: 56 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa

Arendse made his debut in 1991 for Cape Town Spurs. He was loaned to Cape Town side Santos in 1992. He later played professionally for Oxford United, Fulham, Santos, Mamelodi Sundowns, and SuperSport United. Andre Arendse is one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time. He now works as an assistant and goalkeeper coach for Supersport United and has also been a co-presenter with SuperSport.

1. Bruce David Grobbelaar

greatest goalkeepers
Bruce Grobbelaar played as a goalkeeper, most prominently for English team Liverpool between 1981 and 1994. Photo: @brucegrobbelaar, @zvikuitika (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Bruce David Grobbelaar
  • Date of birth: 6 October 1957
  • Age: 66 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Durban, South Africa

Grobbelaar is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time in the history of the game. He played for the Zimbabwean national team and multiple clubs between 1973 and 2007. Bruce Grobbelaar is remembered for his gymnastic-like athletic ability, unflappable confidence, and eccentric flamboyant style.

Who is the best goalie of all time in football?

The best goalie of all time in football is often considered to be Lev Yashin, known as the "Black Spider" for his incredible reflexes and shot-stopping ability. He is the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d'Or, awarded in 1963.

Who is considered the greatest goalkeeper of all time?

Some of the greatest goalkeepers of all time include Bruce David Grobbelaar, Andre Arendse, Édouard Mendy, Mike Maignan, Gianluigi Buffon, Manuel Neuer and Petr Čech.

Who are the best African goalkeepers of all time?

Some of the best African goalkeepers of all time include Andre Arendse, Bruce Grobbelaar, Thomas N’Kono, Joseph-Antoine Bell, Jacques Songo’o, and Ezzaki Badou.

Who are the greatest Irish goalkeepers of all time?

Some of the greatest Irish goalkeepers of all time include Pat Jennings, Denis Irwin, Frank Stapleton, Robbie Keane, Liam Brady, Roy Keane, and George Best.

Who is better, Schmeichel or Casillas?

A comparison of their senior career stats shared on Transfermarket.com shows Iker Casillas has had more club appearances, goals conceded, and clean sheets than Peter Schmeichel.

Senior career stats

Peter Schmeichel

Iker Casillas

Total club appearances

566

885

Total goals conceded

528

869

Total clean sheets

236

340

The best goalkeepers of all time built a strong bond and understanding with their teammates. Most ended their careers after many years of admirable success. Some are still in the game and raising the bar even higher for upcoming goalkeepers.

Sportsbrief.com published a list of the most successful clubs in England. One of the hotly debated topics among English Premier League fans is which club is the best.

At the start of each season, the football betting markets attempt to predict which teams will be adding to their trophy cabinet during the campaign. The most successful teams in England have had multiple periods of sustained success.

Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.
Peris Walubengo photo
Peris Walubengo
Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 4 years of experience in writing informational and entertainment articles, researching, editing, and proofreading.
Adrianna Simwa photo
Adrianna Simwa
Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief, where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years.