In this post, we’ve meticulously crafted a list of the world’s best ten goalkeepers right now, ranking them based on their performances, reputation, and lineage. Expect some intriguing inclusions and a few surprising omissions. Without further ado, let us dive in.
Top 10 Best Goalkeepers in the World
10. Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez rose to global prominence after his outstanding performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His sterling performance between the posts earned him the prestigious FIFA Best Keeper of the Year award for 2022, as well as the tournament’s Golden Glove.
Martinez’s expertise in penalty scenarios was critical to Argentina’s World Cup victory. His key saves in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands and the nail-biting final against France helped Argentina win both penalty shootouts, when he made three crucial stops.
Despite being a controversial figure—partly owing to his tricks that resulted in revisions to the game’s rules—Martinez is indisputably one of the world’s best goalkeepers. However, to gain the full recognition his talents deserve, a move away from Aston Villa might be necessary for him to shine on a grander stage.
9. David Raya
As the title race nears its climax, the Spaniard has been outstanding in goal for Arsenal, transforming the club into the league’s most fearsome defensive unit.
He has become an important part of Arsenal’s build-up play due to his excellent movement and ball-distributing abilities, frequently starting attacks with his accurate and varied passing range.
While on loan from Brentford, he constructed one of Europe’s greatest defences. He even displaced fan favourite Aaron Ramsdale from the starting lineup, displaying his ability and influence on the team. RECOMMENDED: Most Popular sports in Africa.
8. Wojciech Szczesny
Wojciech Szczesny, Juventus’ Polish keeper, is frequently unjustly underappreciated, in spite of delivering a string of consistently brilliant performances for the club’s senior team over the years.
Szczesny has contributed significantly to Juventus’ three Serie A triumphs over the course of six seasons. His talent was again on display at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he was one of the best goalkeepers despite Poland’s early elimination. Notably, Szczesny became the only custodian in the competition to save one of Lionel Messi’s seven penalties (including shootouts), cementing his place among the world’s greatest.
7. Gianluigi Donnarumma
The giant Italian goalkeeper had a mesmerising display at Euro 2020, helping Italy win with back-to-back penalty shootout victory over Spain in the semifinals and England in the final. Since then, he has grown in stature and expertise.
He was named Player of the Tournament at the Euros and awarded the famous Lev Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or presentation, which honours the best custodian of the year. These honours were followed by a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he rapidly made an impression.
In his first season in France, he was voted Keeper of the Year, and in his second season, he kept the third most clean sheets in Ligue 1. Surprisingly, this AC Milan prodigy is still only 25 years old, and given his remarkable track record, it would not be surprising if he rose to the top of future rankings.
6. Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer has been a staple of Bayern Munich and Germany’s recent successes and his ability with both hands and feet have seen him recognised as one of the best in his generation of goalkeepers, and perhaps a few generations before him.
Neuer’s consistency over the past decade or more as both one of the best shot-stoppers and ball distributors has bred copycats who barely come close to his abilities.
Injuries have slowed down the 10-time Bundesliga champion and 2014 World Cup winner in recent years, but his reputation remains intact as arguably the finest goalkeeper football has seen.
Best Goalkeepers in the World
5. Ederson Moraes
Ederson is well-known for his extraordinary ability to start attacks from the back, expertly cutting off opposing threats, and using his exceptional ball control to influence the tempo of the game.
The Manchester City goalkeeper is undoubtedly one of the best in the world with the ball at his feet, playing an important role in his team’s possession-based style and guiding them through pressure situations with ease. His outstanding footwork and distribution talents influenced Manchester City’s decision to recruit him in the 2017/18 season, replacing Claudio Bravo.
Since then, Ederson has played a key role in the team’s success, contributing to four Premier League titles, three Golden Glove medals, and a record-breaking 100 Premier League clean sheets in just 211 games.
His exceptional vision and passing range have also earned him a unique distinction: becoming the first goalkeeper to achieve a passing accuracy of over 90% in a single Premier League season.
4. Yan Sommer
Yann Sommer has effortlessly transitioned into Inter’s starting lineup, replacing Andre Onana, and has played an important role in the club’s pursuit of another Serie A championship. The Swiss custodian has been in excellent form, leading the league in clean sheets and demonstrating his extraordinary shot-stopping talents.
Sommer’s strong accomplishments extend beyond his tenure at Inter; he has constantly performed for Borussia Monchengladbach and the Swiss national team. His heroics in penalty shootouts have become a defining feature of his career, most notably during Euro 2020, when he played a critical role in Switzerland’s quarterfinal run before losing to Spain.
Sommer’s outstanding performance in the competition earned him a place on the UEFA Euro 2020 Team of the competition. Sommer’s exceptional goalkeeping skills have solidified his position as one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
3. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s outstanding keeper, has been a key player between the posts, delivering magnificent performances that have frequently determined his team’s success. His outstanding 2021/22 season, during which he played a key role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double, demonstrated his tremendous skill and determination.
Despite being sidelined with an ACL injury this season, Courtois’ excellent form last season garnered him multiple awards, including a berth on the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, LaLiga Team of the Season, and the coveted FIFPro XI in.
His exceptional performances have confirmed his position as one of the world’s greatest goalkeepers, with a record-breaking 59 clean sheets in 101 games for Real Madrid and a reputation for making crucial saves in high-pressure situations. Courtois’ impressive career has also seen him win the Golden Glove at the 2018 World Cup, further cementing his status as an elite goalkeeper.
2. Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Despite Barcelona’s fluctuating form last season, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been a shining light, continually showcasing his superb goalkeeping abilities. He is now ranked among the top three goalkeepers in LaLiga in terms of clean sheets, continuing to perform at an exceptional level that has been his trademark throughout his career.
Ter Stegen was instrumental in Barcelona’s title-winning campaign last season, conceding only 20 goals in 38 league games and keeping an astounding 26 clean sheets. His remarkable form established him as the undisputed leader in clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues.
Furthermore, his astounding 88.9% save percentage demonstrates his excellent reflexes and shot-stopping skills. With over 135 clean sheets in less than 220 appearances for Barcelona, ter Stegen has established himself as one of the most successful goalkeepers in the club’s history. As Barcelona aims to reclaim the Champions League title, ter Stegen’s continued excellence between the posts will be crucial to their success.
Best Goalkeeper in the World
1. Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s extraordinary keeper, has cemented his status as the world’s finest thanks to his outstanding performances in previous seasons. His outstanding CV includes two Premier League Golden Glove trophies and successive inclusion to the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season. Last season, Alisson has been critical to Liverpool’s title challenge, providing magnificent performances that have frequently saved points for his team despite their high-risk, offensive attitude.
Alisson has kept a record 70 clean sheets in 134 Liverpool games, demonstrating his superb shot-stopping ability, distribution, and leadership. While he may not win the Golden Glove this season, his contribution to Liverpool’s triumph cannot be understated. Alisson’s impressive save percentage, aerial ability, and clutch performances have made him the most decisive goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, earning him widespread acclaim and cementing his status as one of the all-time greats.
On that note, this brings us to the end of this article, which goalkeeper do you think deserve to be ranked higher on the list? Let us know what you think via the comment section below. Thank you for reading along to the end of this post.
