What attributes do the best goalkeepers in the world have? The role of a keeper ain’t what is used to be, with No.1s required to start moves as well as provide the last line of defence in the modern game.
It’s often said that having a reliable man between the sticks will win you several points every season, and the following players are good examples of just that. We’ve ranked our goalkeepers by their all-round game as much as anything else, paying attention to the stats while balancing how good they can be in the biggest moments.
We’ve left out long-term absentees who simply can’t be judged while they’re injured, taking in the all-important stats alongside the eye test. This is who we’ve gone with…
The best goalkeepers in the world right now, ranked: 10. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Having struggled with injuries once again this season, Germany international Manuel Neuer cannot be ignored simply for everything he has achieved in the game.
It’s no secret that the 38-year-old is not the same keeper he was when he was sat on the Ballon d’Or podium but Father Time has seen to that more than poor form.
Neuer is arguably the best goalkeeper of all time, certainly one of the most influential in the modern age and though he turns 39 later this year, he’s still more than capable of keeping the net for a side chasing European glory once again.
9. Diogo Costa (Porto)
Something of an up-and-coming goalkeeper, Porto’s Diogo Costa is continuing to impress for the ever-relentless Portuguese giants and is being watched by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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The 24-year-old has already established himself as Portugal’s number one heading into this summer’s European Championships and was imperative as Roberto Martinez’s side won every single game during qualifying.
Superb once again this season for the Dragons, we expected to see him reach the very top of the game in the next few years and his contributions will likely see him move onto pastures new in the next 12-18 months. Watch this space…
8. Lukas Hredecky (Bayer Leverkusen)
There’s nothing flashy about Lukas Hradecky, who has quietly been one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga since joining Eintracht Frankfurt in 2015.
Three years later, he moved on to Bayer Leverkusen and has become a reliable stalwart for the club. Focused and level-headed. Under Xabi Alonso’s guidance, unbeaten Leverkusen terrifically romped to the title ahead of perennial favourites Bayern Munich.
They’ve scored goals for fun while impressively keeping them out at the other end, with just 20 conceded in 30 games. Hradecky, an experienced Finnish international, has made an outstanding contribution to Leverkusen’s success.
7. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain already had a top keeper in Keylor Navas and a decent backup in Alphonse Areola. Gianluigi Donnarumma was always going to establish himself as the next big superstar of the club, though, to oust them both.
Considering the ever-changing cast in front of him and the lack of press, the giant Italian has had a lot of work to do since moving to France – and he now has the reputation of being one of Europe’s finest.
Although Gigi sometimes struggles with his feet, he commands his box well and he’s an excellent shot-stopper when called upon: he’s already a European champion at international level, too. All before the age of 25 – his career’s only heading in one direction.
6. Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
Now hear us out on this one, but Yann Sommer has been fantastic for Inter Milan this season and their Serie A success has been no joke. The Swiss international has kept a whopping 18 clean sheets from 31 games, conceding just 17 goals along the way.
Add another keep-outs in the Champions League too and it is clear the former Borussia Monchengladbach goalie is having a season to remember for all the right reasons under Simone Inzaghi.
Experienced, calm under pressure and happy to hold the ball to either play long or short passes, it remains to be seen just what lies ahead for Sommer but his inclusion at number five on our esteemed list is nothing to be taken for granted.
5. Mike Maignan (Milan)
When Donnarumma left Milan, fans would have been forgiven for worrying what the future held. Somehow, they managed to upgrade the outgoing academy product.
Maignan has since deposed Hugo Lloris from Les Bleus, won a first Scudetto in a decade for the Rossoneri and has been a titan in the San Siro net. His reflexes are excellent and his command of his box is great – but his work on the ground is top-notch, too.
The Frenchman has seen just 34 goals pass him by in the Italian top-flight this season and his sheer shot-stopping ability leaves fans bewildered as he springs around the San Siro week after week. A try great and expected to have a huge save in France’s Euro 2024 ambitions.
4. Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
Charismatic, exciting and always happy to put on a show, where would football be without the enigma that is Emi Martinez. As a big-game player, there may be no better goalkeeper on Earth
Statistically, the Argentine doesn’t stand out – though he does catch the second-most crosses in Europe’s top five leagues, to highlight his dominance of a risky situation. But the big-game personality is what we love him for: we first saw it during Arsenal’s 2020 FA Cup win, before Martinez became a national hero back home in Argentina.
He established himself on the global stage with Copa America success before he won the Best Goalkeeper award in Qatar at the World Cup. Aston Villa are also set to qualify for the Champions League it seems and we can’t wait to see the 31-year-old in action during Europe’s elite footballing competition.
3. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has taken his game to new heights in the last 18 months – which is something, considering he doesn’t harbour much of an interest in the sport that’s made him a superstar.
Barcelona were on course to beat Petr Cech’s 2005 record of 15 at one stage last year, with MATS only letting in 13 in his first 33 games, before Barça won the title and relaxed a little.
The Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed numbers are amazing: he saved nearly nine whole goals more than he should have. Far more than just precise with his stops, Ter Stegen completed 50 per cent of his passes over 40 yards, too – the second-best in Europe. His return from injury has helped Xavi’s side no end and despite a dramatic Champions League exit, he remains one of the best around.
2. Ederson (Manchester City)
Ederson is arguably the most influential goalkeeper in the Premier League since Petr Cech. Ball-playing keepers were viewed with bemusement, much less suspicion when Pep Guardiola brought in Claudio Bravo – but though it took his second attempt to really nail the role, it’s safe to say Ederson has been worth it.
There will always be those who will never really rate the Brazilian too highly – and it’s fair enough, in some respects. A good shot-stopper, Manchester City’s No.1 is there primarily for his work on the ball – but to give credit where it’s due, he’s always been consistent.
Ederson has never felt like a weak link, excelling whenever called upon for City, while winning the last three Premier League Golden Gloves. And that ability with his feet only elevates him higher up this list. He’s utterly superb as a footballer, let alone a goalkeeper.
1. Alisson (Liverpool)
Alisson was seen as many as a goalkeeper who would help Liverpool play out from the back, with excellent passing range – and the Reds’ forwards can testify to that, judging by how many goals their goalkeeper has started the attacking move of.
If goalkeeping can be roughly split into the possession-based and the shot-stopping, however, Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world in terms of both. World-class when one-on-one and with his side struggling in midtable at times last season, Alisson was every bit the traditional shot-stopping life-saver: he saved 10 whole goals more than he should have. That’s simply superhuman.
You only have to look at his otherworldly stop from Miguel Almiron last year, which Eddie Howe described as “the best I’ve ever seen”. His sweeping is nothing short of unbelievable, too, with the Brazilian second in Europe for Defensive Actions outside the Penalty Area per 90. He makes the sixth-most passes of anyone in Europe, too. He’s a phenomenon: it doesn’t bear thinking where Liverpool would have been in the last few years without him.
More lists
We have lists of the best players in every position in the world right now.
These are the best goalkeeepers on Earth at current, while in defence, these are the best right-backs in the world, the best left-backs in the world and the best centre-backs in the world.
There are all kinds of midfielders – these are the best defensive midfielders in the world, these are the best central midfielders in the world and these are the best attacking midfielders in the world.
We also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world.
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