The 25 best goalkeepers in world football – ranked

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Look, right, compiling a list of the 25 best players in any position is really difficult.

But it’s a whole lot of fun and stirs debate – and that’s what football’s about, right?

So here’s your current list of the top 25 goalkeepers on the planet at the moment, as judged by 90min.

Last updated on March 30, 2021.

Alex RemiroAlex Remiro
Real Sociedad’s number one is having a strong season | Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Real Sociedad have had some super talented players don their kit in recent seasons, and Alex Remiro has impressed himself since joining permanently from rivals Athletic after a couple of loan spells.

He’s notched over 50 appearances for La Real in nearly two seasons.

Dean HendersonDean Henderson
He’s fighting to be Manchester United’s number one | Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Dean Henderson has some work to do in order to become Man Utd’s permanent number one, but the fact that he’s being considered as (potentially) better than a player who sits much higher than him on this list earns him a spot.

Henderson had a great debut season in the Premier League and is also in the running to be England number one – while a number of other big clubs are interested in paying big money to sign him.

Edouard MendyEdouard Mendy
Little was known about Edouard Mendy when he joined the Blues, but he’s alright isn’t he? | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Chelsea’s current number one is perhaps deserving of his presence here following his solid first campaign in the Premier League – stepping in for the much criticised Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Mendy is something of a late bloomer in a football sense, but has really shown his worth since Thomas Tuchel tightened up the Blues‘ back line.

Clean sheets galore.

Yassine BounouYassine Bounou
Sevilla’s number one even scored recently! | Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Moroccan international Yassine Bounou – commonly known as Bono – has emerged as one of the finest stoppers in La Liga since his move to Sevilla.

He performed heroics as his side won the Europa League last season (Manchester United fans will remember the semi-final well) and he’s continued his form this season too.

Remarkably, he even scored a late equaliser for his side in a recent 1-1 league draw with Valladolid.

Unai SimonUnai Simon
Athletic knew they had a ready made replacement for Kepa | BSR Agency/Getty Images

A regular in the Spanish national team, Unai Simon is deserving of his place in the top 25.

An indispensable piece in Bilbao’s effective footballing machine is Unai Simon who has stepped seamlessly into Kepa’s jersey since he left for Chelsea.

Lukas HradeckyLukas Hradecky
One of the Bundesliga’s best… | RONNY HARTMANN/Getty Images

He’s big and he loves saving shots. Introducing Bayer Leverkusen stopper Lukas Hradecky – the best Finnish keeper since Antti Niemi. 

Cutting his teeth at Eintracht Frankfurt, Hradecky won Bundesliga Goalkeeper of the Year at the end of the 2017/2018 season. This earned him a move to Leverkusen where he has continued to impress ever since. 

Rui PatricioRui Patricio
Rui Patricio remains Portugal’s first choice | Stu Forster/Getty Images

With the scores level in the Euro 2016 final, Dimitri Payet floated a pass to Antoine Griezmann. The then-Atletico Madrid man met it with his head, causing the ball to loop up and seemingly over a stricken Rui Patricio in the Portuguese goal. 

Then, in a blink of an eye, Patricio pivoted back and flung out a hand to tip it over the bar in the nick of time. 

The moment has been immortalised by a bronze statue erected in his hometown and though 90min cannot quite offer his the same honour, we hope he is still happy with a place on our list.

Mike MaignanMike Maignan
Hugo Lloris‘ long term replacement in net for France? | Xavier Laine/Getty Images

Tipped as Hugo Lloris‘ long term successor for France, Mike Maignan – although he sounds like a singer from a country and western wedding band – is among high-flying Lille’s best players.

The interest Maignan has attracted from Premier League sides such as Chelsea, Dortmund and Spurs, might mean he doesn’t stay there for too much longer.

Emi MartinezEmi Martinez
Emiliano Martinez has risen to prominence in the last 12 months | Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

What a rise it’s been for Emi Martinez in the last year.

Thrust into the Arsenal spotlight in the back end of last season, the Argentinian took the move to Aston Villa to play regular football and has proven he’s really, really bloody good.

Peter GulacsiPeter Gulacsi
Leipzig’s number one is worthy of his place in this list | Boris Streubel/Getty Images

He may be one of the oldest looking 30-year-olds of all time, but there’s no doubting Peter Gulacsi is pretty good at this whole goalkeeping thing.

His footballing journey is not the most conventional. After being signed by Liverpool in 2008, the Hungarian spent time on loan at Hereford United a year later.

Wonder if he ever thought he’d be playing in the Champions League while standing in the freezing cold at Edgar Street? Quite the story that. 

Yann SommerYann Sommer
Bulgaria v Switzerland – FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier | Anton Uzunov/Getty Images

Borussia Mönchengladbach have performed miracles in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, despite their modest budget. Their resolute defending has been a feature of their success.

When teams finally do break through their stoic resistance, it also helps to have a keeper as talented as Yann Sommer – widely regarded as the BuLi’s best (apart from the obvious one) – between the sticks. 

Bernd LenoBernd Leno
He’s had some iffy moments, but they’re not always his fault | MB Media/Getty Images

No matter how many fingertip saves he makes, no matter how many shots he smothers, Bernd Leno lives in constant fear of the players ahead of him making a brainless error to cost him his clean sheet.

Our heart goes out to you mate.

Kasper SchmeichelKasper Schmeichel
Leicester’s captain is flying high, along with his team | Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Stepping up as captain in the absence of Wes Morgan has had no negative effect on Kasper Schmeichel’s performances for Leicester.

The Denmark international has seen it all during his stint at the King Power Stadium and remains a key cog in Brendan Rodgers‘ footballing revolution and one of the Premier League’s most reliable stoppers.

Gianluigi DonnarummaGianluigi Donnarumma
This giant of a man will be a giant of the game for the best part of the next two decades | Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Amid all of the chaos at Milan in recent seasons, one thing that has never been in doubt is the ability of Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

Out of contract in the summer, there’s a load of clubs hoping he may well decide to leave Milan and spend the next 15 years in their goal – but as it stands it’s most likely he re-signs and stays.

David De GeaDavid De Gea
Dave the Save is being challenged for the United number one shirt by Dean Henderson | BSR Agency/Getty Images

Due to the mistakes that have crept into his game, there has been some discussion about David de Gea’s Manchester United future in recent seasons – it’ll need to be resolved this summer.

The questions over whether he’s past his best are legitimate but if history is anything to go by, the Spaniard will revel in proving his doubters wrong. 

Hugo LlorisHugo Lloris
Still Spurs number one, but for how long? | FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

He’s still first choice for Spurs and France, and still one of the best goalkeepers around. But Hugo Lloris is maybe not quite in that top tier any longer.

Uncertainty remains on where Lloris will play his football next season with Spurs in crisis (at least sometimes) and you can be sure there’d be a number of interested parties if he does end up forcing an exit in the next year or two.

Samir HandanovicSamir Handanovic
He could be a Scudetto winner this year… | Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Inter legend Samir Handanovic is showing few signs of letting up. 

The Nerazzurri are in place to win Serie A this season and it would be a fitting climax to the Slovenian’s (so far) trophyless career if he could clinch a Scudetto.

Make it happen please. 

Wojciech SzczęsnyWojciech Szczęsny
The former Arsenal man is now among the world’s best | Claudio Villa./Getty Images

Slipping into the gloves of Gianluigi Buffon was never going to be easy but Wojciech Szczesny has completed the transition convincingly. 

The Polish stopper was excellent for Roma after departing Arsenal in 2015 and he has continued to impress in Turin. Juventus will need him in top form as well for the remainder of the season.

FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONAFBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA
PSG’s number one is looking great at the moment | FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Obscure footballing nations often produce talented goalkeepers and Costan Rican stopper Keylor Navas is a case in point. 

After being somewhat unfairly replaced at Real Madrid by Thibaut Courtois for not being quite Galactico enough, Keylor Navas has established himself as Paris Saint-Germain number one and remains among the best in the game.

Thibaut CourtoisThibaut Courtois
The Belgian stopper is a tough one to beat | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

After a shaky opening at Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois has been in exemplary form recently.

Los Blancos may lack some pizzazz going forward since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but at the back there has been few complaints – partly due to Courtois‘ really long limbs and good goalkeeping ability.

He scooped the Zamora trophy as Real won La Liga last season.

Manuel NeuerManuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer has been back to his best in the past year after struggling with injury and form | Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Will he start for Germany at the Euros or will Marc Andre ter Stegen take his place on the throne? We don’t know, but we cannot wait to find out. 

Manuel Neuer played a big role in the modern reinvention of the goalkeeping position and he remains one of the very best sweeper-keepers in the business today. 

EdersonEderson
He’s made mistakes in the past, but he’s looking brilliant this season | Pool/Getty Images

When Pep Guardiola made a cheeky remark about Ederson being the best penalty taker at Manchester City everyone believed him – such is the technical ability of the Brazilian stopper. 

Wouldn’t it be great to see him given a run out up front, David James style? He’d probably score a brace.

But he’s a quality keeper and playing in front of an uncharacteristically mean Manchester City defence at the moment.

Marc Andre Ter StegenMarc Andre Ter Stegen
It’s been a rough year for Barcelona but their goalkeeper is still brilliant | Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Razor sharp reflexes, wrists like steel, distribution like Andrea Pirlo and a really cool name. 

These are just a few of the things that make Marc-Andre ter Stegen one of the best goalkeepers in the world. 

Barcelona are in dire need of a rebuild but can take solace in the fact that goalkeeper is one position that does not need to be touched. Not for a good while anyway.

When Liverpool spent nearly £70m on Alisson back in 2018, social media was awash with jibes from rival fans questioning the size of the fee. 

But they’re not laughing now…

The Brazilian has proved to be a game-changing upgrade to Loris Karius, straddling the attributes of both a sweeper-keeper and traditional stopper perfectly.

He’s also played his part in Liverpool becoming Premier League, European and world champions in recent seasons. Worth the money, for sure.

Jan OblakJan Oblak
This guy is just sensational… | Denis Doyle/Getty Images

There are times watching four-time Zamora Trophy winner Jan Oblak when you might genuinely believe that he has the power to attract the ball towards his hands.

It’s like his gloves have their own gravitational pull.

He’s the best shot shopper in the world and at the moment, Atletico Madrid’s number one is our number one too.

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