Safe Hands: My Personal Top 10 Goalkeepers of All Time

Safe Hands: My Personal Top 10 Goalkeepers of All Time 

Goalkeepers are some of the most important players on any football team, often playing a pivotal role in determining the outcome of a game. As someone who has always been fascinated by the art of goalkeeping, I wanted to take some time to explore what makes a great goalkeeper and to celebrate some of the legends of the game. 

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge that goalkeeping is a unique position that requires a particular set of skills and qualities. Not only do goalkeepers need to have excellent reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, but they also need to have good communication skills to direct their defense, and the mental strength to handle the pressure of being the last line of defense. 

One of the great things about goalkeeping is that there is no one ‘right’ way to do it. Each goalkeeper has their own individual style and technique, and what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Some goalkeepers are known for their acrobatic saves, while others are more effective at positioning themselves to make simple saves look easy. 

When it comes to discussing the best goalkeepers of all time, it’s hard to look past Lev Yashin. Nicknamed the ‘Black Spider’, Yashin is widely considered to be the greatest goalkeeper of all time. His incredible shot-stopping abilities, agility, and leadership skills helped him to become a legend of the game. Yashin was also known for his trademark all-black kit, which he wore to intimidate opposition strikers. 

Other great goalkeepers include Dino Zoff, the Italian goalkeeper who famously won the World Cup in 1982 at the age of 40. Gianluigi Buffon, who has enjoyed a long and successful career with Juventus and Italy, is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. And of course, there is Peter Schmeichel, the Danish goalkeeper who won numerous titles with Manchester United and is often credited with revolutionizing the position with his ability to come out of his goal to claim crosses. 

More recent legends of the game include Manuel Neuer, the current German goalkeeper who has been a key member of Bayern Munich’s success in recent years, and Iker Casillas, the Spanish goalkeeper who was a key member of the dominant Real Madrid and Spain teams of the early 2010s. 

As someone who has always been fascinated by goalkeeping, it’s impossible not to appreciate the unique set of skills and qualities that make a great goalkeeper. Whether it’s a stunning reflex save, a crucial penalty stop, or simply commanding your defence from the back, a great goalkeeper can change the course of a game. So next time you watch a match, take a moment to appreciate the incredible skill and artistry of the goalkeepers on the field. With that all said here are my top 10 goalkeepers, goalkeepers that I have seen and not just 5 mins videos/clips, no particular order: 

1) Peter Schmeichel 

Peter Schmeichel is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. The Danish international played for Manchester United between 1991 and 1999, helping the club to win numerous domestic and European titles during his time there. Schmeichel’s style of play revolutionized the goalkeeper position, with his ability to come off his line and command his defence becoming a hallmark of his game. Who doesn’t remember him doing the star jump save against Inter Milan at Old Trafford. 

Some of Schmeichel’s honours during his career include: 

2) Manuel Neuer 

Manuel Neuer is a German international goalkeeper who currently plays for Bayern Munich. He is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, known for his incredible shot-stopping ability and his skill with the ball at his feet. The amount of times he comes out of his penalty area and launches himself into a diving header or slide tackle is crazy.  

During his career, Neuer has won numerous domestic and international titles, including: 

Neuer’s ability to play as a sweeper-keeper, coming out of his box to clear danger and start attacks, has set him apart from other goalkeepers in the modern game. His performances have earned him numerous individual accolades, including the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award on multiple occasions. 

3) Oliver Kahn 

Oliver Kahn is a retired German goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He spent the majority of his career playing for Bayern Munich and the German national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. 

Kahn’s aggressive style of play and incredible shot-stopping ability earned him the nickname ‘Der Titan’ (The Titan), and he is widely regarded as one of the most intimidating goalkeepers in the history of the game. Im gonna be honest I didn’t watch too much of him back in the days, it was mainly Champions League highlights, he was argumentative with his own players and the oppositions too. Crazy goalkeeper with a big frame and very imposing mentally and physically. You can see his leadership qualities when he plays. 

During his career, Kahn won numerous honours, including: 

Kahn’s intense personality and unwavering commitment to his team made him a beloved figure among Bayern Munich fans, and his performances on the pitch earned him numerous individual accolades, including the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award on multiple occasions. 

4) Iker Casillas 

Iker Casillas is a retired Spanish goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game. He spent the majority of his career playing for Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. 

Casillas is known for his incredible shot-stopping ability, quick reflexes, and exceptional leadership skills. He captained the Spanish national team to victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships. One of the biggest saves I remember was in the World Cup 2010, when Arjen Robben was thru one on one with Casillas and he dives the wrong way but somehow saves it with his right foot, amazing save. 

During his career, Casillas won numerous honours, including: 

Casillas’ contributions to the game earned him numerous individual accolades, including the FIFA World Cup Golden Glove in 2010 and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award on multiple occasions. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time and a true legend of the game. 

5) Petr Cech 

Petr Cech is a retired Czech goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He spent the majority of his career playing for Chelsea and the Czech Republic national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. The insane instant where he collide with Stephen Hunt’s knee with his head, that’s why he wears a head gear during football games. 

Cech is known for his exceptional shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, and incredible work ethic. He won numerous honours during his career, including: 

Cech also holds numerous records, including the most clean sheets in Premier League history and the most clean sheets in a single Premier League season. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and a true legend of the game. 

After retiring from playing, Cech took up a role as a technical advisor at Chelsea, where he continues to contribute to the club’s success off the pitch, recently he left the position.  

6) Fabien Barthez 

Fabien Barthez is a retired French goalkeeper who is known for his incredible shot-stopping ability and eccentric personality. He spent the majority of his career playing for Marseille, Manchester United, and the French national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. The funniest moment I recall of him is when Man Utd was playing West Ham and Paolo Di Canio was one on one with Barthez, Barthez tried to psych Di Canio out by pretending it was offside with his hand up, Di Canio eventually scored, if you havent seen it you should try to youtube it. Oh yeah, the other funny thing he has done was urinated on a football pitch during a game, Marseille vs Inter Milan Champion League. 

Barthez is known for his unorthodox style of play, which included making risky decisions and coming off his line to make saves. Despite his unconventional approach, Barthez was incredibly successful during his career, winning numerous honours, including: 

Barthez’s performances on the pitch earned him numerous individual accolades, including the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1993 and the FIFA World Cup Best Goalkeeper award in 1998. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and a true legend of the game. 

7) Gianluigi Buffon 

Gianluigi Buffon is an Italian goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game. He spent the majority of his career playing for Juventus and the Italian national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. 

Buffon is known for his incredible shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, and exceptional leadership skills. He has won numerous honours during his career, including: 

Buffon’s contributions to the game have earned him numerous individual accolades, including the FIFA World Cup Best Goalkeeper award in 2006 and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award on multiple occasions. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time and a true legend of the game. 

8) Edwin Van Der Sar 

Edwin van der Sar is a retired Dutch goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He spent the majority of his career playing for Ajax, Fulham, Manchester United, and the Dutch national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. He was really calm on the ball, was very good with his feet, one time Vidic plays it back to Van der Sar and he once lifted the ball over a oncoming Wigan player (Emile Heskey) as calm as you like. 

Van der Sar is known for his incredible shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, and exceptional distribution skills. He won numerous honours during his career, including: 

Van der Sar’s performances on the pitch earned him numerous individual accolades, including the Dutch Footballer of the Year award in 1994 and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award on multiple occasions. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and a true legend of the game. 

After retiring from playing, Van der Sar took up a role as CEO at Ajax, where he continues to contribute to the club’s success off the pitch. 

9) David Seaman 

David Seaman is a retired English goalkeeper who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He spent the majority of his career playing for Arsenal and the English national team, where he established himself as a dominant force between the posts. Most memorable moment was when he got lobbed from a freekick in World Cup 2002 by the great Ronaldinho.  

Seaman is known for his incredible shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, and exceptional reflexes. He won numerous honours during his career, including: 

Seaman’s performances on the pitch earned him numerous individual accolades, including the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in 1991 and the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1999. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of English football and a true legend of the game. 

10) Victor Valdes 

Victor Valdes is a retired Spanish goalkeeper who is best known for his successful career with FC Barcelona. Valdes played for Barcelona for over a decade and won numerous trophies during his time with the club. One outstanding moment I remember was when Barcelona played Inter Milan at Cap Nou, Barcelona loss that game and once the final whistle went Mourinho got on the pitch and started walking toward Inter Milan fans, then Valdes was trying to grab him and pull him off the pitch. 

Valdes was known for his incredible shot-stopping ability, quick reflexes, and excellent distribution skills. He won numerous honours during his career, including: 

Valdes was also a part of the Spanish national team that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Championship. His contributions to the game earned him numerous individual accolades, including the Ricardo Zamora Trophy (awarded to the best goalkeeper in the Spanish La Liga) on five occasions. 

In conclusion, the world of football has seen some incredible goalkeepers over the years, and choosing just 10 was no easy task. Each of these keepers has left their mark on the game, whether it’s with their shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, or exceptional distribution skills. They have won countless trophies, earned numerous individual accolades, and inspired a generation of aspiring goalkeepers. 

While each goalkeeper on this list is unique in their own way, they all share a common trait – their unwavering commitment to their craft. Whether it’s staying after training to work on their technique or sacrificing their body to make a save, these keepers gave everything they had to help their team succeed. 

I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to witness these great goalkeepers in action, and I am sure that they will continue to inspire future generations of goalkeepers to come. 

Catch you in the next one.