The amount of pressure on a striker to score a goal can be matched by the intensity of the pressure on a goalkeeper.
The only player in the side who can actually use his hands, he provides the tightest support in defence.
We have recently seen the best ‘keepers in the modern era who have created a buzz all over the world.
When I say best ‘keepers in modern era, I mean Iker Casillas, Petr Cech, Gianluigi Buffon, Joe Hart and Manuel Neuer. But are these pillars of modern football recognised as the best of all-time?
Here is a list of the top five goalkeepers ever:
5. Dino Zoff
He is widely remembered as the oldest player ever to win a World Cup with Italy at the age of 40, way back in 1982.
He still has a record which no other keeper has beaten – playing 1142 minutes in international matches without conceding a goal. Zoff won nine titles for Juventus and was awarded Italy’s Golden Player award in 2003.
4. Peter Schmeichel
He was undoubtedly the best goalkeeper for Manchester United and has numerous saves to his record. He also helped Denmark in winning the European Championship in 1992.
In the same year, he was awarded with the best goalkeeper award. He even scored an international goal in a 2-2 drawn game against Belgium. Schmeichel played for Manchester City, Aston Villa and Sporting CP outside of United.
3. Iker Casillas
The mainstay of Spain and Real Madrid (until recently), Casillas is one of the most decorated goalkeepers of all-time.
He has collected 19 titles for his club and national side along with 31 individual honours.
Casillas’ moment of glory for Spain came when he won the Euro Championship in 2008 followed by the big fish, the World Cup 2010. He led his side to win the 2012 Euros as well. Casillas was named the IFFHS world’s best goalkeeper four times.
2. Gordon Banks
Undoubtedly the best goalkeeper ever from England, he is known for his famous save from Pele’s header in the 1970 World Cup, which is regarded as one of the best saves ever.
Banks, standing at 6-feet 1-inch, was like a huge wall for the opposition who hardly managed to beat this legend. Banks was given the title ‘a hero who can fly’ by the British media. He is a World Cup winner for England in 1966 and had success for Leicester City and Stoke City.
1. Lev Yashin
He is the best goalkeeper of all-time without any doubt. Lev’s personal record speaks for itself: 150 penalty saves and 500 clean sheets.
He is the only goalkeeper to have won the European Footballer of the Year award. Having won 10 individual awards in that period highlights his legacy.
We have seen legends both now and before, but has there ever been anyone better than the Russian?
michael
Guest
Here is my list for five best goalies of all time; 1. Lev Yashin 2. Gordon Banks 3.Gianluigi Buffon 4.Iker Casilas 5. Michel Preud'homme If they were not in football, football would be unromantic. They make this beautiful game more beautiful game with their amazing goalkeeping talents and passion for this game. Truely God gifted skills they possess in them. I've enjoyed watching lately gigi buffon and casilas, they both are the best goal keepers of the 21st century.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Casillas would probably be in today's top 5 but no way he is in the all-time list. Hard for me to assess those who played before the 80s with the exception of Lev Yashin as all generations of gk, journos and fans do agree he was pretty special. he is miles ahead of anyone else imo. Among those who stood out in the last 30y for me, i guess Kahn, Schmeichel, Dasaev and Buffon top the list. Always thought most south american GK were dodgy keepers so no Chilavert, Higuita, Dida and co for me (same as Barthez, over rated). In France, we have had some decent keepers thourgh the years: Bats, Lama even Coupet was pretty good. Yet, i think Hugo Lloris is up there. I put him in the today's top 5 with Neuer, Buffon, Iker and Cech.
apaway
Roar Guru
The modern game has changed what is expected of goalkeepers, so, apart from raw stats, comparing say, Lev Yashin to Petr Cech is very difficult. Yashin did not have to play with his feet, was not a "first line of attack", did not sweep behing defenders. Cech is more protected in relation to what constitutes foul play on a keeper and deals with less crosses and high balls as the game has evolved. That said, an interesting list, but Oliver Khan is, was and always will be a much better keeper than Iker Casillas. So too is Neville Southall, Gianluigi Buffon, Jose-Luis Chilavert and Pat Jennings.
Jukes
Guest
Buffon definitely needs to get a mention. He is simply a freak in goals.
Damiano
Guest
Casillas is over rated. Van Der Sar is probably the most over rated keeper ever. This list needs to have Gigi Buffon in it. In my view he is better than both Casillas & Schmeichel. Jose Luis Chilavert maybe isn't one of the greatest goalkeepers, but possibly deserves to be on a list like this for his influence at both ends of the park.
Jayden
Guest
Oh God *Facepalm* Casillas is the most over rated keeper in history I'll direct you to Goalkeepertalk for more about that As ie said over there my top five goes Sepp Maier Khan Dasaev van Der Sar (revolutionised keeping) Yashin
Johnno
Guest
Buffon, Shilton, and Bozza could of been anything if not no 1 of all time . Bozza was just so awesome at the time he went from Aston Villa transferred to Man United , and was neck and neck with Schmicheal in the EPL when Bozza was at Villa before Schmicheal left Man United and Bozza came to the club. People forget how good and talented Bozza was. Peter Cech and Taffarel are good too. And Jose Chilavert has to be up there, larger than life, he is so majorly up there for influence he has on teams he played for especially as captain of Paraguay. He was seriously authoritian, and influential, with him in the box, he always lifted Paraquay against teams much more talented , and often Paraguay on the back of his spirit would grind out draws. People also forget what a hero Lee Woon-Jae and inspiration he was for South Korea at the 2002 world cup, amazing matches vs Italy and spain , and the whole tournament. Rüştü Reçber was a massive figure as goalkeeper for Turkey at 2002 world cup, lifting Turkey to the semi finals on the back of some inspirational pressure cooker keeping, and a good leader too, Turkey were so unlucky vs Brazil and the Rivaldo dive in the semi-final, when they had the momentum, and one of there players was cruelly red-carded for a Rivaldo faking injury and down to 10 men when they were gaining momentum in the match. And Rene Higuita what a character and clown he was, he was larger than life too, and supremely talented whatever else, not top 5 though.