Maduka Okoye Names Gianluigi Donnarumma Best Goalkeeper in the World Ahead of Ter Stegen and Courtois

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has weighed in on one of football’s most debated positions, settling on Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as the world’s best shot-stopper — ranking him above both Thibaut Courtois and Marc-André ter Stegen.

Speaking following a standout season with Udinese in Serie A, the 26-year-old Nigerian international was asked to assess the current hierarchy among the world’s elite goalkeepers. While Okoye was candid about the personal influence ter Stegen had on his development as a young player, he maintained that the Italian international is currently operating at a level above his peers.

“For me, No. 1 is Ter Stegen, then Courtois and Donnarumma,” Okoye said. “Ter Stegen is No. 1 for me because when I was a young player at Borussia Mönchengladbach, he was already playing with the U-19s, and I always looked up to him. But right now, I think Donnarumma is the strongest goalkeeper. At the moment, he’s the best. He is on a different level.”

Donnarumma’s claim to the top spot carries considerable weight following the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season, in which the Italian played a pivotal role in guiding PSG to their first-ever European title — a landmark achievement in the club’s history. The 26-year-old has been a consistent presence among the world’s best since establishing himself at AC Milan as a teenager.

Ter Stegen, meanwhile, has built an equally distinguished résumé during his tenure at Barcelona. The German international has contributed to multiple La Liga titles during his time in Spain, including the historic treble the club claimed in the 2014/15 season. Courtois, for his part, remains one of the most decorated goalkeepers of his generation — his accolades include the 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove and the prestigious Yashin Trophy, awarded annually to the world’s best goalkeeper.

For Okoye himself, the endorsement of Donnarumma comes at a time when his own career has undergone a notable resurgence. After a difficult period at Watford — where injuries and limited opportunities meant he failed to register a single league appearance — the Nigerian returned to form in Italy with Udinese, re-establishing himself as a reliable top-flight goalkeeper in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

His club performances have translated directly into renewed international standing. After losing his starting berth for Nigeria following the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Okoye has since reclaimed the number one jersey for the Super Eagles, featuring in recent friendly fixtures against Poland and Portugal.

The debate over the world’s best goalkeeper is one that continues to divide opinion across the football world, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup now underway in North America. All three goalkeepers Okoye referenced — Donnarumma, ter Stegen, and Courtois — are representing their respective nations at the tournament, ensuring the conversation will remain live throughout the competition.