Top 15 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football

Top 15 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at June 14, 2023 at 11:53 AM
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As forwards are judged by their goals, the best goalkeepers are measured by the number of clean sheets they keep at the end of the season. They are also judged according to their distribution, passing, and agility. Read on to learn more about the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football.

Goalkeepers with the most clean sheets
A photo of Alisson Becker (R) and Iker Casillas (L) on a football field background. Photo: Hildegarde (Football field), Eric Verhoeven(Casillas) and Peter Zador (Alisson Becker).(modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Goalkeepers have treated the world of football to some of the most magical and inspiring saves ever. Great goalkeepers such as Manuel Neuer, Casillas, and Peter Cech, among others, are a few of these keepers. So, who is the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the world? Read on to find out.

Top 15 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets

Great goalkeepers also decide matches for teams making important saves and starting play. They are one of the most underrated people on the field. So, here are some of the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets of all time:

15. Samir Handanovic-278 (36%)

He is of Slovenian descent and currently plays for Serie A side Inter Milan. He has played for prestigious clubs such as Lazio, Udinese, Rimini, Treviso and Zagorje.

Top 15 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football
Samir Handanovic of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 01, 2022, in Milan, Italy. Photo: Jonathan Moscrop
Source: Getty Images

14. Andriy Pyatov-285 (46%)

The Ukrainian international and showstopper has inspired some fulfilling moments for his fans. He has kept 285 clean sheets, which is incredible. He has played for Artemida Kirovohrad, Vorskla Poltava, and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Most clean sheets by a keeper
Goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov of Shakhtar Donetsk looks on during the pre-season friendly match against FC Schalke 04 at Waldstadion Mittersill on July 9, 2021, in Mittersill, Austria. Photo: Roland Krivec
Source: Getty Images

13. Rui Patricio-291 (39%)

The Portuguese international is one of the most prolific showstoppers ever. He has 291 clean sheets. He has played for Sporting CP, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Roma.

Most clean sheets by a keeper
Rui Patricio looks on during the UEFA Europa League group C match between Real Betis and AS Roma at Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 13, 2022, in Seville, Spain. Photo: Fran Santiago
Source: Getty Images

12. David James-292 (32%)

The Englishman played for prestigious clubs all over, such as Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bristol City, AFC Bournemouth, IBV and Kerala Blasters. Throughout his career, he had over 292 clean sheets.

Most clean sheets
David James of England during the Soccer Aid for Unicef 2021 match between England and Soccer Aid World XI at Etihad Stadium on September 04, 2021, in Manchester, England. Photo: Alex Livesey
Source: Getty Images

11. Hugo Lloris- 301 (36%)

The Tottenham Hotspur keeper is a French international. He has played for clubs such as Nice, Lyon and Tottenham, keeping 301 clean sheets.

Goalkeepers with most clean sheets
Hugo Lloris during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 15, 2022, in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Charlotte Wilson
Source: Getty Images

10. Jens Lehmann-309 (36%)

He was an elite shot-stopper for clubs such as Schalke 04, Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and VfB Stuttgart. He kept 309 clean sheets while at it.

Goalkeepers with the most clean sheets
TV pundit Jens Lehmann speaks prior to the EURO 2016 Group D qualifying match between Germany and Ireland at Veltins Arena on October 14, 2014, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Photo: Matthias Hangst
Source: Getty Images

9. Mickael Landreau-309 (39%)

The Frenchman has played for elite teams such as Nantes, PSG, Lille and Bastia, winning various awards. He has also kept more than 309 clean sheets cracking into the top 10.

Teams with the most clean sheets in Europe
Mickael Landreau, Bastia's goalkeeper in action during the French Ligue 1 match against Valenciennes FC on January 11, 2014, in Valenciennes, France. Photo: John Berry
Source: Getty Images

8. Oliver Kahn-322 (37%)

Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Oliver Khan always showed his quality on the pitch. He played for Karlsruher and Bayern Munich. He boasts of 322 clean sheets over more than 600 appearances.

Teams with the most clean sheets in Europe
Oliver Kahn of Bayern München looks on during the DFL General Assembly at Westfalen Halle on August 17, 2022, in Dortmund, Germany. Photo: Alex Gottschalk
Source: Getty Images

7. Igor Akinfeev-346 (42%)

The Russian played for only one club, CSKA Moscow. He has over 500 appearances for the club and has kept 346 clean sheets. This results in an incredible 42% save percentage.

Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets?
Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev of CSKA Moscow controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League Group K stage match against Dinamo Zagreb on December 10, 2020, in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo: Marko Lukunic
Source: Getty Images

6. Manuel Neuer-353 (45%)

The German is considered by some as the GOAT of all goalkeepers due to his incredible athleticism and theatrics. He is intelligent in front of the ball hence his 353 clean sheets. He has played for two clubs, Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich.

Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets?
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer makes a save during a training session of Germany national team at the Eintracht Frankfurt training ground on March 22, 2022, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Photo: Alex Grimm
Source: Getty Images

5. Pepe Reina-358 (40%)

Reina has played for Barcelona, Villareal, Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Aston Villa and Lazio. He has been able to keep 358 clean sheets breaking him into the top 5. The Spaniard is known for his heroic performances.

Most clean sheets of all time
Pepe Reina of SS Lazio looks on during the Italian Cup match between SS Lazio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico, Rome in Italy, on 18 January 2022. Photo: Giusepper Maffia
Source: Getty Images

4. Petr Cech-397 (44%)

Some consider him the greatest goalkeeper ever due to the records in his name. He is known for his heroic performances in Chmel Blsany, Sparta Prague, Rennes, Chelsea and Arsenal. The Czech Republic international had 397 clean sheets.

Most clean sheets of all time
Petr Cech of Chelsea during the Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur Premier League match at Kings meadow on December 14, 2020, in Kingston upon Thames, England. Photo: Clive Howes
Source: Getty Images

3. Iker Casillas-440 (42%)

He is one of Real Madrid’s most prolific goalkeepers. He was an intelligent athlete with a physicality many dream of. He had over 440 clean sheets in his career playing for Real Madrid and Porto.

Premier League's most clean sheets
Iker Casillas of Spain during the World Cup match between Holland and Spain on July 11, 2010. Photo: Eric Verhoeven
Source: Getty Images

2. Edwin van der Sar-440 (46%)

The Manchester United legend was a joy to watch with his athletic saves. He had over 440 saves in his career. The Dutch footballer played for teams such as Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United.

Premier League keepers with the most clean sheets
Holland's Edwin van der Sar during the EURO match between Holland and Italy on June 9, 2008. Photo: Eric Verhoeven
Source: Getty Images

1. Gianluigi Buffon-501 (44%)

The list would not be complete without legendary Italian goalkeeper Gian Luigi Buffon. He is one of the players with the longest careers. He has played for teams such as Parma, Juventus, and PSG, keeping more than 501 clean sheets.

Goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the world
Juventus player Gianluigi Buffon during a training session at JTC on May 26, 2020, in Turin, Italy. Photo: Daniele Badolato
Source: Getty Images

Teams with the most clean sheets in Europe

Keeping a clean sheet is not easy. Every aspect of your game must go perfectly well. Here are some teams with the most clean sheets in Europe:

Team

Clean sheets

Burgos CF

11

UD Las Palmas

9

Preston North End

9

Sheffield Wednesday

8

Barcelona

7

Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets?

Gianluigi Buffon of Italy has the most clean sheets. He has over 501 clean sheets throughout his career.

Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in 2022?

Jose Antonio Caro has the most clean sheets in 2022. He plays for Burgos CF and has had 11 clean sheets in 11 games.

Which keeper had the most clean sheets in 2021?

Alisson Becker of Liverpool had the most clean sheets in 2021, earning him the golden glove for a second time. He also registered an assist against Norwich.

Premier League's most clean sheets
Alison Becker of FC Liverpool strikes the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between against RB Leipzig on March 10, 2021, in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Peter Zador
Source: Getty Images

Who is the best goalkeeper in the world in 2022?

Alisson Becker is seen as the best goalkeeper in the world in 2022. He, besides his countryman Ederson have shown quality in the Premier League, having the most clean sheets.

Having the most clean sheets requires discipline, hard work and talent, and good defender coordination. Gianluigi Buffon has the most clean sheets in world football. He boasts an impressive 501 clean sheets with a 44% save percentage. Many are curious about who the next legendary goalkeeper will be.

Goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry and Neymar Among the 10 Greatest Players Never to Win Coveted Ballon d’Or

Sportsbrief.com also published a list of the top 10 greatest players never to win the Ballon d’Or. The Ballon d’Or is the most coveted trophy in world football. These players were amazing and did not win the prize due to one thing.

So, who are they, and why did they not win? Read more by clicking on the link above!

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