In brief
A club needs an outstanding goalkeeper for continuous success, as witnessed with Alisson and Ederson at Liverpool and Man City, respectively.
Modern goalkeepers must excel in numerous areas including shot-stopping and ball distribution.
The top 20 goalkeepers in the world include Alisson, Thibaut Courtois, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Emiliano Martinez.
For a team to stand any hope of continuous success, they need a reliable goalkeeper in between the sticks. There’s a cap on the heights a team can attain if they aren’t protected at the back by an excellent shot-stopper. Adding one to your side can change it from teetering contender to championship dynasty, as we’ve seen in the past, with the likes of Alisson Becker and Ederson propelling Liverpool and Manchester City respectively to levels of success they wouldn’t have reached without them.
Due to the improvement in modern-day football, goalkeepers have to be able to play a number of duties. Firstly, they must be world-class shotstoppers, which is the bread and butter of being a ‘keeper. This must lead to a trusted partnership with the defence. Meanwhile, they are required to be capable of distributing the ball quickly and effectively. Manuel Neuer changed the future of goalkeeping when he acted as a sweeper-keeper – and now it is very common.
Finding an outstanding number one can be difficult, though, with their being a very select set of very exceptional goalies in the world right now. Here are the very best around.
Factors that rank
The following factors are taken into account:
Clean sheets: A reliable measure of a company’s quality is the number of clean sheets they have registered. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that some teams have better defences than others.
Relevance to their team: Even if they don’t play for the top teams, they will be highly ranked if they are continuously making saves of the highest calibre and supporting their team every minute.
International records: They are well-rounded due to their performances for their national teams, which complement their club achievements.
Distribution: Goalkeepers in today’s game need to be able to initiate attacks with accurate passes.
Shot-stopping is the foundation of being a goalie, so they must be able to consistently make excellent saves.
World Football’s Top Goalkeepers [Ranked]
Rank
Name
Club
One
Alisson
Liverpool
2.
Courtois, Thibaut
Real Madrid
3.
Raya David
The Arsenal
4.
Oblak, Jan
Real Madrid
5.
Martinez, Emiliano
Villa Aston
6.
Diogo Costa
Porto
7.
Sommer Yann
Milan Inter
8.
Ederson
City of Manchester
9.
Neuer, Manuel
The Bayern Munich
10.
Kobel, Gregor
Dortmund Borussia
11.
Maignan, Mike
Milan AC
Twelve
De Gea, David
The Fiorentina
13.
Onana, Andre
United Manchester
14
Diane Rumma Gianluigi
Saint-Germain, Paris
15.
Simon Unai
Sports Club
16
Hradecky Lukas
Leverkusen Bayer
17
Mamardashvili Giorgi
Valencia (Losing from Liverpool)
18
Andre Marc-Stegen
Barcelona
19.
Vicario Guglielmo
Tottenham
20
Pickford, Jordan
Everton
20Jordan Pickford
Everton
Jordan Pickford, who remains the Three Lions’ first-choice, was among the reliable players in England’s Euro 2024 campaign. Every time he keeps the ball out of his own net, the Everton goalie, who has a large personality, can’t help but throw extravagant celebrations.
His employers have a great deal of faith in the 30-year-old because of his dedication and desire. Even though the Toffees are frequently involved in relegation struggles, Pickford is frequently the one to step up and keep the team from falling to the second division of English football. The Sunderland-born ‘keeper’s 13 Premier League clean sheets in the 2023–24 season were the most held by anyone but David Raya. Despite the Toffees’ difficult start to the season, the former Sunderland player has maintained that form thus far this season, keeping nine clean sheets.
Pickford, Jordan (2024–2025)
Looks
24
Objectives Given Up
28
Clean Sheets
10.
19Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham
Guglielmo Vicario left Empoli for Tottenham in the summer of 2023. He took over for Hugo Lloris, who made a lot of mistakes in the 2022–2023 season after ten years of outstanding service. Vicario replaced him as he left to join LA FC.
The former Empoli player had a great start to his Premier League career, displaying both outstanding shot-stopping skills and a knack for playing sweeper-keeper. He is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world because of his self-assurance and moral qualities. If the Italian hadn’t sustained an ankle injury that would keep him out for most of the 2024–25 season, he would probably be much higher on this list. Spurs have missed him a lot.
2024–2025 Guglielmo Vicario
Looks
15.
Objectives Given Up
15.
Clean Sheets
4.
18Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Barcelona
Since Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona in 2021, there has been a great deal of change and uncertainty at the club, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been a constant. His inconsistent performance, though, has angered his own fan base.
The team won the league in 2022–2023 and took home the La Liga Zamora trophy thanks in large part to the ‘keeper’s outstanding reflexes and excellent distribution. He has, however, appeared far less reliable in goal in more recent years. Despite missing action since September due to a ruptured patellar tendon, he is still Los Cules’ number one player.
2024–2025 Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Looks
7.
Objectives Given Up
7.
Clean Sheets
One
17Giorgi Mamardashvili
Valencia (on loan from Liverpool)
At Euro 2024, Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of the most impressive players. The man-mountain consistently kept the underdogs in games as they accomplished the incredible feat of making it to the knockout stages. His commanding presence between the posts was enough to make even the best forwards in the area shudder.
The talented Portugal team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to overcome the star as the Georgians advanced from the group stage. Although Mamardashvili was immediately loaned back to Valencia for the 2024–2025 season, his heroics this summer likely convinced Liverpool to spend a lot of money on him.
Mamardashvili Giorgi, 2024–2025
The way things look
17.
Conceded Goals
30.
Clear Sheets
Four
16Lukas Hradecky
Bayer Leverkusen
Although Lukas Hradecky is one of the squad’s key leaders from between the posts, Xabi Alonso is the face of Bayer Leverkusen’s all-conquering team and the best young manager in the world. The captain of Leverkusen fits the description of a quirky goalie. “Why do footballers have to be more saints than others?” Hradecky questioned after consuming a fan’s beer after an international triumph with Finland.
The 35-year-old goalie has had an incredible 12 months on the field. Last time out, Hradecky played at his peak as Leverkusen accomplished the unfathomable by going unbeaten throughout the Bundesliga season and capturing both the league title and the DFB-Pokal. The Finnish great has made an impression in the later years of his career, even though they haven’t been as powerful since.
Hradecky Lukas, 2024–2025
Looks
21
Objectives Given Up
29
Clean Sheets
4.
15Unai Simon
Athletic Club
Since the COVID-19 epidemic, Unai Simon has been Spain’s top goalkeeper, continuing the longstanding heritage of outstanding Basque goalkeepers. Simon’s main strength is with the ball at his feet, but he also has good shot-stopping skills despite his little size in the prestigious world of ‘keepers.
After Kepa Arrizabalaga was sold, Simon was unexpectedly promoted from Athletic Club’s fourth-choice to the starting position almost immediately. Since then, he has become a prime example of the modern-day custodian. Which player is more prone to mistakes than the 27-year-old? However, his consistency has been sufficient to lead Spain to the European Championship. Despite missing the most of the 2024–25 season due to a wrist injury that affected his positioning, he has already recorded two clean sheets in his first six games back.
Simon Unai, 2024–2025
Looks
6.
Objectives Given Up
5.
Clean Sheets
2.
14Gianluigi Donnarumma
Paris Saint-Germain
When Gianluigi Donnarumma initially came on the scene, it was assumed that he would eventually become the world’s best custodian. He still has plenty of time to go to the top, even though he hasn’t had the best of times at Paris Saint-Germain since joining from AC Milan in 2021.
With a number of outstanding performances during the competition, Italy’s number one was also essential to the country’s victory at Euro 2020. Even if he has demonstrated that he is capable of amazing moments, the Italian still makes far too many mistakes in his game that have cost him dearly and damaged his reputation among the best in the position.
2024–2025 Gianluigi Donnarumma
Looks
23
Objectives Given Up
23
Clean Sheets
6.
13Andre Onana
Manchester United
Andre Onana is unquestionably a good custodian for Manchester United, even though he hasn’t yet reached the heights of his career at Ajax or even Inter Milan. Since relocating to Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, the goalie has faced many challenges, but when it comes to stopping his opponents, few are as good as him.
He was sent to England to take David de Gea’s place, and he has so far served United admirably. He assured supporters before the 2024–25 season began that he would be taking more chances this year. It is unclear if that will translate into success on the pitch, but Onana, who is currently arguably the best custodian in Europe, is off to a strong start. The redemption arc is now underway as he has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most unexpected players this season, despite a few dubious moments and mistakes beginning to reappear.
Onana, Andre (2024–2025)
Looks
31
Objectives Given Up
43
Clean Sheets
8.
12David de Gea
Fiorentina
David de Gea was once among the world’s best goalkeepers, but after being released by Manchester United in 2023, he struggled to find a club, seemingly ending his chances of playing at the highest level. The Spaniard rejoined Serie A team Fiorentina this summer after missing a year of action, and he has since made a name for himself as one of the best goalkeepers.
The 34-year-old is currently statistically the best custodian in Europe and has had an outstanding 2024–25 season thus far. De Gea’s patience before returning to the game was the finest thing he could have done, and Fiorentina’s choice to take a chance on him and bring him in for nothing appears to be a masterstroke.
De Gea, David (2024–2025)
Looks
21
Objectives Given Up
24
Clean Sheets
6.
11Mike Maignan
AC Milan
When Gianluigi Donnarumma joined PSG in 2021, Milan might have lost a custodian like him. However, the Italian team was fortunate to sign Mike Maignan, who immediately established himself as one of the world’s top goalkeepers. With 17 clean sheets to his name, the 29-year-old, who arrived from Lille, was instrumental in AC Milan’s first Serie A championship in more than ten years.
That season, he even took home the Serie A Best Keeper title. He hasn’t been as good since the 2021–2022 season (in part because of injury problems), but he still exudes charisma and confidence, making him one of the top possibilities available and the one to succeed long-time France number one Hugo Lloris in the national team.
Maignan, Mike (2024–2025)
Looks
31
Objectives Given Up
36
Clean Sheets
9.
10Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel pursued his passion of becoming a football custodian in spite of his father’s best efforts as a professional ice hockey forward. The fact that the tall Swiss goalie chose to wear gloves instead of skates may have “made no sense” to Kobel senior, but Borussia Dortmund will be extremely appreciative.
Even if Dortmund’s goal’s frame contributed to the team’s amazing Champions League run the previous season, Kobel deserves a lot of praise for recording a competition-high six clean sheets. The 26-year-old goalie stopped seven more goals than he should have given the shots he faced last season, easily the most of any goalie in the competition. His outstanding play appears to have carried over into the new campaign, and teams like Manchester United have been linked to him.
Kobel, Gregor (2024–2025)
Looks
27
Objectives Given Up
43
Clean Sheets
6.
9Manuel Neuer
Bayern Munich
For nearly twenty years, Manuel Neuer has been one of the world’s top keepers and one of the best German football players in any position. He reinvented the concept of a sweeper keeper in football. He continues to perform at a high level in spite of his advanced age.
After missing the second half of the 2022–2023 season due to an injury, he had a mixed return to the first team. Neuer’s performance in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid at the end of the previous season encapsulated the inconsistency of his recent performances. Neuer split the ball into Joselu’s path for the first of two goals in three minutes, which pushed Madrid into the final, after making five stops to deny a lively Vinicius Junior. In what could be his final season, the veteran seems to have steadied himself after a less than stellar Euro 2024 campaign.
Neuer, Manuel (2024–2025)
Looks
26
Objectives Given Up
21
Clean Sheets
14
8Ederson
Manchester City
Last season, Manchester City won the Premier League for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, and their outstanding Brazilian Ederson was a major contributor to the victory. Since arriving at the Etihad in 2017, the Brazilian has been a revelation. Early under Pep Guardiola, the Citzens had trouble, in part because they lacked a good custodian. Ederson fulfilled Guardiola’s need for a goalie who was capable of more than only saving shots, spraying passes, initiating attacks, and dishing out assists.
