Who are the best goalkeepers in the world presently? We all know how vital the goalkeeping position is for any team aiming for great achievements. Despite not being the most mediatic position, the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas and Oliver Kahn have helped reinforce the importance of this profile in modern football.
At present, making a list of the best goalkeepers in the world is not easy at all due to the high level of competition that exists in the major leagues.
For now, the only goalkeeper to have won a Ballon d’Or has been Lev Yashin, the Black Spider. Obviously, he has not been the only one to deserve it. The aforementioned Casillas, Buffon or Kahn could well have won this individual award but it is clear that there are positions that look less on the pitch in the eyes of journalists.
How do we rank the best goalkeepers in the world?
The easy thing would be to stick to the goals conceded by each goalkeeper to establish a ranking of the best goalkeepers in the world, but we will go further. We will also rely on the technical and tactical qualities, as well as the personality of the player to determine the ranking positions.
- Goals conceded in the season: 40%.
- Technical qualities: 40%.
- Personality and leadership *: 20%.
* The goalkeeper position is essential in a team. Your overview can provide a lot of information to your peers, but it is also important that you be a leader.
Top 10 Best Goalkeepers In The World Today
10. David de Gea (Manchester United)
David de Gea is the first goalkeeper to appear on the list. Despite the fact that some fans or technicians have not hesitated to attack him after some specific error, he is the starting goalkeeper of Manchester United and also of the Spanish National Team. It is because of his competitive level, his feline reflexes and the confidence he transmits to its defensive line. It is true that he is no longer at his best level, but he is still one of the best goalkeepers today.
He has been one of those responsible for the ‘Red Devils’ having finished the Premier League in the third position with only 36 goals conceded.
9. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea)
Another Spanish goalkeeper questioned in the Premier League. Kepa came to Chelsea as the most expensive goalkeeper in history and the pressure to prove it from minute 1. Although he has proven to be a good goalkeeper, it is true that to mount the podium you have to be more regular and constant. He has room for improvement and time for it, his youth and projection mean that he can become the best if he progresses as he should.
The Athletic Club youth squad could change his scene after his time in the English league, although it will not be easy for him to leave Chelsea after the large outlay that was made for him just two seasons ago. Teams like Valencia CF or Napoli would be interested in him.
8. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
An irregular season for Tottenham has not made the form of Hugo Lloris look tarnished. The French goalkeeper has been one of the best of his team despite failing to get into European positions. The team led by José Mourinho has not managed to overcome the bad start to the season despite the final improvement.
In addition to being a starter with the Spurs, he also continues to be the current world champion of the French National Team.
7. Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan)
Samir Handanovic is one of the names to call on when we talk about the best goalkeepers in Serie A. Despite not having the same media recognition as his other counterparts, he has earned this remark given his great performances with Conte’s Inter Milan.
6. Ederson (Manchester City)
Ederson is possibly one of the goalkeepers with the best footwork in the world. Manchester City’s starting goalkeeper perfectly complements Guardiola’s team’s exit of the ball, facilitating the first pass that breaks the pressure of the rivals.
In addition, he is a goalkeeper with great reflexes, quite consistent. One of the areas for improvement could be the aerial balls, although it is not that he doesn’t perform well in that area too but need little improvement.
5. Keylor Navas (PSG)
Always questioned, never valued … Keylor Navas has shown year after year why he deserves a place among the best goalkeepers in the world. The Costa Rican has always performed at a very good level, being regular and helping both Real Madrid and PSG in difficult moments.
In the white team his ownership was always questioned despite his good numbers and performances. At PSG he has already managed to win Ligue 1 as well as other national titles, in the absence of achieving the long-awaited Champions League.
4. Alisson Becker (Liverpool FC)
Alisson Bécker has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Both in his time at Roma, and at Liverpool, he has proven to be an insurance under the stick. Despite having a great defense, the Brazilian goalie has been fundamental to the interests of Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Since his arrival, he has won the Champions League (2018-19) and the Premier League (2019-20).
In the Brazilian National Team, he is also a starter ahead of his compatriot Ederson. His good performances contributed to the achievement of the Copa América 2019. He is a goalkeeper with good positioning, a lot of regularity and not without reflexes.
3. Ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)
It may come as a surprise to see Ter Stegen in the third position. The German goalkeeper has everything to be the best in the world, but his season has not been the best. Despite this, it is always a sure thing to have the starting goalkeeper of FC Barcelona and the German National Team, ahead of Manuel Neuer.
His handball goalkeeper reflexes as well as his distilled footwork make him a key player. At times, he proves to be the best in his position with stellar performances that save his team.
2. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Thibaut Courtois has decided to step up this season. Although he started hesitantly, he has managed to finish spectacularly, returning to his best version with Real Madrid. The Zamora of Laliga has taken a blow on the table to prove he is one of the best if not the best.
The Belgian goalkeeper managed to stop Leo Messi (one of the top scorers in history ) in El Clásico and has conceded very few goals in the most important moments of the season.
1. Jan Oblak (Atlético Madrid), the best goalkeeper in the world
Jan Oblak is deservedly ranked first. The Slovenian goalkeeper has been the best in his position for several years, helping Atlético Madrid in both LaLiga and the Champions League. His constant and regular performances make him the best goalkeeper today.
He is a footballer who brings together many fundamental qualities for his demarcation: concentration, regularity, reflexes, safety in aerial balls, placement … In fact, he has appeared in different windows of the transfer market to reinforce other great teams of Europe like Chelsea or PSG.
** Bonus – Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern Munich), the best goalkeeper of 2020
We updated the table of the best goalkeepers in the world to include Manuel Neuer after his sensational performance in the Champions League. Respecting the criteria of the editor when classifying but including one of the most fit goals of the moment. One of the pillars of Bayern Munich’s successful season.
The contrast with Ter Stegen in the match against FC Barcelona in the Champions quarterfinals makes it necessary to include the goalkeeper on the list. The veteran goalkeeper continues to be safe under the sticks, providing good ball output from behind with good footwork and reflexes at the height of very few.
After the conquest of the sixth Champions League for Bayern Munich and the triplet, Manuel Neuer could be considered the best goalkeeper in the world today (2020).
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Interesting facts about the goalkeepers
✓ Who is the goalkeeper with the fewest goals in the major leagues?
Thibaut Courtois has only conceded 20 goals in 34 LaLiga Santander matches. It has been the Zamora and the goalkeeper less thrashed in Europe.
✓ Who is the goalkeeper that has added the most saves?
Aitor Fernández (Levante) has been the goalkeeper who has made the most saves during the season. He has added 158 stops with a coefficient of 4.39 stops/game.
✓ Who is the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets?
Thibaut Courtois has managed to keep a clean sheet 18 times.
