In football, every game surely needs a strong attacking side and a stable and almost flawless defense and the goalkeeper is the most significant part of this defense in the game of football.
A formidable goalkeeper and a stable defense can be very beneficiary to the team especially when the opponent is pressing high so to discover more about them, stick on to read Top 10 most successful goalkeepers of all time.
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Who is the most successful goalkeeper in history?
With 176 caps for the Italian national team, 526 for Serie A team Juventus, and 194 for Parma, Italian star goaltender Gianluigi Buffon is undoubtedly the most successful goalkeeper of all time. Additionally, Buffon received a record-breaking five IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper awards.
Most Successful Goalkeepers of All Time
Since the history of the game of football, many great goalkeepers have graced the game but the question is who is the most successful goalkeeper of all time ?. The ranking of the most successful goalkeepers below is based on many criteria but the main criteria of classification is the performances of the goalkeepers, consistency and the number of trophies of won.
Football is not just one of the most popular sports in the world, but it is also among the highest-paying sports right now. Among several of its positions, goalkeepers are the ones who serve as the last defense of any football team. And here are the most successful goalkeepers in football history.
10. Vincent Enyeama
Number ten in this list of the most successful goalkeepers of all Time and the only African goalkeeper on the list is Vincent Enyeama who is Nigerian goalkeeper.
In the 2013-2014 Ligue 1 season, Vincent Enyeama was picked up as the club's first choice goalkeeper over Steeve Elana who was the first choice goalkeeper. With the help of his stable defence led by Marko Basa adn Simon Kjaer, the Nigerian international goalkeeper kept 11 consistent clean sheets in Ligue 1 during the first half of the season.
9. Edwin van der Sar - The Nertherlands
Edwin van der Sar, a Dutch goalkeeper, is known for his longevity and success at both club and international levels. He won numerous domestic titles with Ajax and Manchester United, including the UEFA Champions League. Van der Sar's shot-stopping abilities, composure, and leadership qualities made him highly regarded among his peers.
8. Dino Zoff – Italy
Dino Zoff, an Italian goalkeeper, is known for his remarkable longevity and success in the game. He won numerous domestic and international titles throughout his career. Zoff helped Italy win the 1982 FIFA World Cup and participated in four European Championships. He was renowned for his excellent positioning, leadership skills, and ability to make crucial saves.
7. Peter Schmeichel – Denmark
Peter Schmeichel, a Danish goalkeeper, was renowned for his imposing figure, agility, and shot-stopping ability. Schmeichel enjoyed incredible success with Manchester United, winning several Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. He was a dominant presence in goal and played a crucial role in Manchester United's treble-winning season in 1999.
In addition, he and Denmark won the 1992 UEFA Euro. He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and is renowned for having a large, distinctive physique. With 129 appearances for the Denmark national team between 1987 and 2001, Peter also holds the record for most caps.
He is one of the best goalkeepers of all time thanks to his outstanding performances and talent. In 1992 and 1993, he was named the top goalkeeper in a number of IFFHS surveys. Along with several others, including Petr Cech, he competed to be named the best goalkeeper in Premier League history by the IFFHS in 2000.
Schmeichel finished his Manchester United career with the club having won the FA Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the Champions League.
6. Oliver Kahn – Germany
Oliver Kahn, a German goalkeeper nicknamed "The Titan," was known for his incredible athleticism and commanding presence in the goal. He achieved great success with Bayern Munich, winning numerous domestic titles and the UEFA Champions League. Kahn was also a key figure in the German national team, leading them to the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The former goalie is both a professional player and a German football executive. He started his career with the Karlsruher SC Junior team and has been a member since 1975. Kahn also participated in his first match with this seasoned group in December 2006.
He played for Chelsea from 1993 till the conclusion of his career in 2008 before being traded to Bayern Munich in 1994 for DM 4.6 million. He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time because of the tremendous accomplishments he has racked up over the course of his career.
In addition to eight titles in the Bundesliga, six DFB-Pokals, the UEFA Cup in 1996, and the UEFA Champions League in 2001, Bayern has also achieved the UEFA Intercontinental Cup. As a tribute to him, several of the best goalkeeping gloves are named after this German legend.
Furthermore, the most decorated goalkeeper of all time won three IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper Awards and two German Footballer of the Year Awards. With his winning of the Golden Ball in the 2002 World Cup, Kahn became the only goalkeeper in tournament history to do so.
5. Petr Cech
Petr Cech is probably the greatest goalkeeper of the Premier League era winning numerous prestigious titles with Chelsea.
In the squad of Chelsea, Cech was as important at the back as John Terry in their superlative defensive record between 2004 and 2006 where they conceded just 15 and 22 goals in the Premier League.
Petr Cech also played for the Premier League club Arsenal where he spend the final 4 years of his career.
| Trophy | Number of times won |
|---|---|
| European Under-21 Champion | 1* |
| English League Cup | 3* |
| Czech footballer of the year | 7* |
| FA Cup | 5* |
| English Premier League | 4* |
| English Super Cup | 6* |
| Europa Cup | 1* |
| UEFA Champions League | 1* |
4. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is the 4th most successful goalkeeper of all time in our list. He graduated through the effective youth system of his local club Genk and moved further into the Senior team at the age of 18 and played a major role in the teams Belgia Pro League victory.
In the first season of the return of Courtois to Chelsea in July 2014, he helped the club win the League cup and the Premier League trophy and actually he plays for the Spanish giants Real Marid.
3. Iker Casillas
In the year 1990, Casillas started his youth career with Real Madrid and when he gained promotion to the senior team, he remained with the club for a long 16 seasons.
Every prestigious trophy that you name like the Champions League, European Championship, World Cup, Iker Casillas has won it.
The number of trophies that the goalkeeper has won says a lot about his career and his performances on the pitch talks about the rest.
Iker Casillas is mostly remembered for his glorious 16 years career at Real Madrid where he played 725 times for the Spanish giant before moving to Porto in the year 2015.
Iker Casillas at a point in his career was Spain's 1st choice goalkeeper during the most glorious period of the country between the years 2008 and 2012 where the nation won 2 European Championship and the World Cup.
2. Manuel Neuer
The German goalkeeper on our list who is actually still on duty with the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich where he has enjoyed a great success.
The 35 years old German goalkeeper is actually one of the greatest and also most decorated goalkeepers and German players in the World.
Manuel Neuer is one of the bravest and most coofident goalkeepe on the ball we have ever known in the World of football.
| Trophy | Number of times won |
|---|---|
| German Under-19 Cup | 1* |
| European Under-21 Champion | 1* |
| German footballer of the year | 2* |
| DFB-Pokal | 6* |
| Bundesliga | 9* |
| UEFA Champions League | 2* |
| German Super Cup | 5* |
| UEFA Super Cup | 2* |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1* |
1. Gianluigi Buffon
Italian footballer Gianluigi Buffon was born on 28 January 1978. He is a goalkeeper who plays for Serie B club Parma and also captains the team. Many people consider him to be a great goalkeeper, and some even consider him the best of all time. Besides, he remained one of the highest-paid athletes throughout his entire career.
Even though his age of 43, he still continues to play football and is loved by most of football fans. The legendary player has played 178 times for Italy and has won the World Cup in the year 2006.
Gianluigi Buffon actually stands as the all timed most capped player for the Italy and so far in his career, he has made 350 clean sheets.
| Trophy | Number of times won |
|---|---|
| European Under-21 Champion | 1* |
| Coppa Italia | 5* |
| Serie A | 10* |
| Ligue 1 | 1* |
| Italian footballer of the year | 1* |
| Italienischer Zweitligameister | 1* |
| UEFA Cup | 1* |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1* |
| Italian Super Cup | 7* |
| French Super Cup | 1* |
Final Thoughts On Top 10 Most Successful Goalkeepers of All Time
These ten goalkeepers have achieved remarkable success in their careers, leaving a lasting impact on the game. Their shot-stopping abilities, leadership skills, and achievements in both domestic and international competitions have solidified their places among the most successful goalkeepers of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has most achievements in football history?
Lionel Messi and Dani Alves, over the course of their careers, have won a whopping 43 titles, the most trophies by a player in football.
Which keeper has more trophies?
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon holds the record for most wins (alongside Manuel Neuer and Iker Casillas).
Who is the only goalkeeper to win Ballon d Or?
The 1963 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to Lev Yashin, the first, and as of May 2023, the only goalkeeper to win this award.