10 best soccer goalkeeper in the world right now!

The world’s best soccer goalkeeper is not up for debate. Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, the 6’4” German World Cup winner, has been at the top of the shot stopping pecking order since his arrival in Bavaria from Schalke in 2011.

Neuer, 30, became the second most expensive goalkeeper of all time, behind Gianluigi Buffon, after swapping Schalke, the club he had been at since his academy days, for Bayern Munich. The German has more than proved his fee in his time in a Bayern shirt as he guided them to four straight Bundesliga titles and to Champions League final appearances in 2012 and 2013. Neuer became a world champion with Germany in 2014 at the World Cup in Brazil. He won the tournament’s Golden Glove award for his commanding performances as the best goalkeeper, prompting German legend Oliver Kahn to say, “I think Neuer changed the game of goalkeeping at the World Cup”. Neuer also finished third in FIFA’s Ballon d’Or voting in 2014.

Neuer is considered one of the most complete goalkeepers of all time and generally plays as a “sweeper keeper” for both club and country. The shot stopper pushes high out of his penalty area to provide extra cover for the defense. This is only made possible through his supreme technical ability and immense tactical understanding of the game. Neuer is able to read when and where to be on the pitch at all times, meaning he rarely gets caught out in his advanced positions and can also act as an important outlet option for his defenders. This massive intelligence also enables Neuer to distribute the ball with precision and speed.

The German is also a skilled shot stopper. His agility and quick reflexes allow him to be lively in between the sticks and he has proved over the past six seasons that he is one of the best shot stoppers of all time. Neuer also commands his area well and claims crosses. He also communicates exceptionally well with his defense, making Bayern and Germany into some of the most stout defenses in the world.

Neuer has replaced Oliver Kahn in Germany’s footballing lore and will go down as one of the greatest goalkeepers in footballing history.

The Spanish number one is a fantastic, acrobatic keeper that began his career with Atletico Madrid. De Gea made the move from the Spanish capital to Manchester United in the summer of 2011 and in doing so became the most expensive British goalkeeper signing in history. De Gea’s commanding performances have placed him in the Premier League PFA Team of the Season in 2012–2013, 2014–2015, and 2015–2016.

De Gea, 25, was extremely successful at a young age at Atletico Madrid. The shot stopper was noted for his technical ability and his unorthodox, acrobatic save style. His performance for Atletico in the Madrid Derby in 2010-2011 garnered praise from some of Spain’s elite footballing powers. Ike Casillas, the legendary World Cup winning goalkeeper for La Roja, said after the derby, "In Spain we are lucky to have very good goalkeepers and De Gea soon be fighting my place in the team.” The manager of the national side, Vincente Del Bosque, hailed De Gea as, “the future of the team”.

Since his move to the Premier League with Manchester United, De Gea has solidified his status as Spain’s best goalkeeper and as one of the best shot stoppers in the world. The lanky, 6’4” De Gea has packed on the muscle since his arrival in England and now is an aerial beast that commands his box with authority. His new strength has not slowed him down and he is still one of the quickest moving keepers in world football, and his acrobatic style is evidence of this and plainly seen in his miraculous, point blank saves.

De Gea is also extremely gifted with the ball at his feet. His reading of the game is exceptional and combined with his outstanding comfort on the ball, he has aided his teams with playing out of the back.

The Spanish number one was brought to United to replace the legend of Edwin Van der Saar and he has certainly filled his boots. His aerial presence, speedy reflexes, and excellent technical ability have put him in the upper echelon of goalkeepers. Even with all his success and development in England, De Gea will almost certainly return to Spain to win the Champions League with one of the country’s elite clubs and mark himself as a Spanish legend.

The Italian number one has joined the pantheon of the country’s legends in the position but the way he lives the game is impressive for one in the twilight of his career. Buffon became the most expensive goalkeeper of all time when he signed for Juventus from Parma in the summer of 2001 and the rest, as they say, is history. Buffon would go on to win seven Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies, and the 2006 World Cup with Italy.

Buffon, 38, originally played as a midfielder in Parma’s youth setup before taking up goalkeeping due to injuries to his teammates. Within two years, he was handed his Serie A debut at the age of 17. He would go on to help Parma finish fourth in both the 1998 — 1999 and 1999 — 2000 seasons. Hi performances started to gain recognition from the world’s elite, but Buffon rejected advances from Barcelona to sign for Juventus in 2001 to pursue his dream of a Scudetto title.

Buffon, a nimble 6’3”, commanding shot stopper has shown through the past decade that he is one of the most startlingly excellent and consistent players on the planet. His quick reflexes and astounding intelligence has given him a longevity not usually seen at the world’s top clubs. The shot stopper is among players with the most appearances in Juventus history.

The Italian’s fantastic reflexes and ability to get to ground quickly make him an expert shot stopper and penalty shoot out specialist but perhaps even more important is Buffon’s ability to lead, organize, and inspire his teammates. The goalkeeper communicates extremely well with his defense and his reading of the game allows him to perfect the positioning of his teammates on the pitch. Furthermore, his passion for the game and his country oozes through every time he plays and the 2016 Euro tournament was a perfect example of his Buffon’s passion as he cried at their exit and danced at their success.

The Italian legend Andrea Pirlo has said, “He is an exceptional goalkeeper. I am lucky to have played with him since we were fifteen. For me, he’s unique, and perhaps the best goalkeeper ever. Watching him playing and training is awesome.”With all his success and passion, Buffon, who is one of best soccer goalkeeper of all time, has become a legend and can pursue whatever he chooses after his retirement. A possible career of coaching may beckon and it would suit his love for his country perfectly.

This goalkeeping monster has completed the “golden generation” of Belgium by bursting onto the scene in 2011 in the wake of David De Gea’s departure from Atletico Madrid to Manchester United. The Belgian’s finest era of players was thought to be missing one player but Courtois has come along and filled the shot stopping void.

Courtois, 24, came up through the youth academy of Genk. He helped the Belgian side win the Pro League in the 2010 — 2011 season. His performances earned him a transfer to English club Chelsea in the summer of 2011 but was immediately loaned to Atletico Madrid. Courtois’s three year loan culminated with a La Liga title and an appearance in the Champions League final.

The 6’6” Courtois was recalled back to his parent club Chelsea in 2014 to battle for the number one with Petr Cech. Manager Jose Mourinho chose Courtois over the veteran Cech during the 2014 — 2015 season and by the end of the season the Chelsea legend was pushed out due to the younger Belgian’s excellent performances. Courtois was instrumental in the stout Chelsea defense that won the Premier League title and the League Cup, though the Belgian did not appear in the final.

Courtois is a wonderful balance of physicality and sheer agility. The dexterity with which the Belgian moves belies his massive frame and his combination of height and quickness have suited the Premier League perfectly. He is commanding in his box and although he is one of the best shot stoppers around, he maintains a conservative saving style. The Belgian has wonderful, practiced form when diving for the ball but his strength and handling have been massive attributes for Chelsea.

"Their goalkeeper wasn't good, he was very good,” said Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after PSG's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in February 2015. Praise from the egotistical Swede is a rarity and certainly marks Courtois as one of the finest goalkeepers in the game.

The next decade should be spectacular for the Belgian as he already has ample experience and a big game appetite that has set him apart at such a young age. Courtois’s immense ability has won him plaudits around the globe and now it is time for the Belgian to capitalize and lead his Chelsea team to glory.

The French number one has been touted as the best goalkeeper from France for years and it is easy to see why. The 29 year old excelled in Ligue 1 with Olympique Lyonnais after his promising displays with OGC Nice. In the summer of 2008, Lloris signed with Lyon and was named Goalkeeper of the Season at the end of the campaign for his outstanding performances between the sticks. Lloris would go on to win the 2011 — 2012 Coupe de Ligue and the 2012 Trophee des Champions with Lyon.

In the summer of 2012, Lloris moved from France and signed with London club Tottenham Hotspur. The keeper was thought to be amongst the bargains of the summer and his performances since have proved that sentiment.

The 6’2” French keeper has shown his brilliance in the 2015 — 2016 campaign in which Tottenham finished third and with the joint best defense. Lloris’s supreme ability and reading of the game allowed Tottenham to change the way they defend. His eagerness to come off his line and play the role of sweeper keeper allowed Tottenham defenders to push high and stifle the opposition. Without the intelligence and skill of Lloris, Tottenham would not have been nearly as successful.

The shot stopper is also excellent in protecting his net and his style is very similar to that of David De Gea. Lloris deploys an acrobatic style that plainly displays his agility and quickness. The 2015 — 2016 season has proved his excellence as a keeper and his displays continued into Euro 2016. He is the French keeper for his era and an outstanding one at that. His performances for the national team have been labelled “phenomenal” by French goalkeeping legend Grégory Coupet after two legs against the Republic of Ireland to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Hugo Lloris is a French keeper for the ages and extremely fun to watch. His time for glory has not yet come but Tottenham are building something special and it looks like Lloris will be there to lead them with his captain’s armband.

The Chelsea goalkeeping legend earned his reputation in between the sticks in Jose Mourinho’s first stint at the London club. Cech arrived at Stamford having established himself through numerous solid performances for both club and country. The Czech Republic international moved from Sparta Prague to Stade Rennes of France before sealing a move to the Blues. Cech would go on to become a four time Premier League champion with Chelsea.

Cech, 33, currently plays for Arsenal. His exit from Chelsea mirrored his arrival. Cech arrived as a young hot shot keeper in 2004 but stole the starting position from the previous number one. The same happened with Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois upon his arrival at the Bridge as the youngster ousted Cech.

The 6’5” Czech Republic international is a traditional monster in the area. His wingspan and physicality allow him to take control of his box and he claims most every cross into the box. His aerial prowess is outstanding even following his now infamous collision in 2006. The injury to his head has seen the goalkeeper wear a head brace for every game since.

Cech is also an incredible shot stopper. Strong hands and fists allow him to have a ridiculously high save percentage. Beyond his clear ability in the net, the Czech giant is particularly adept at communicating with his back line, staying true to his traditional style. Former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said in 2010, “I said Petr Cech is one of the most important players for this team, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I like him because he takes on responsibility in the box, he likes to come out to catch the ball. Above all, that’s important in England, to have this kind of goalkeeper”.

The transfer to Arsenal beckons as the twilight of his career but Cech will bow out as the best keeper Chelsea ever had and a club legend. Cech will go out as one of the last great traditional keepers and proves to this day the power of the old school styles.

The Atletico Madrid shot stopper made his name in Portugal with Benfica as he won the treble in the 2013 — 2014 season. The Slovenian became La Liga’s most expensive goalkeeper ever as he was brought in to replace the outgoing Thibaut Courtois in the Spanish capital.

The 23 year old led his Spanish team through an impressive 2015 — 2016 by posting the joint lowest ever goals conceded mark with 18. Oblak was instrumental in his sides’s stout defense with his excellent shot stopping ability. Oblak has strong, determined hands that save shots at any angle or pace. His command of his area is fantastic for relatively undersized goalkeeper of 6 feet 1 inch.

Oblak is not particularly reflexive but his reading of the game and immense concentration allows him to positions himself excellently for opponents’s shots. His command communication is superb for one so young and he is the brightest goalkeeper to come along in a few years.

The Slovenian also led Atletico to the Champions League Final this past season and though he finished as a runner up, he showed his ability. His performance in the penalty shootout was a bit nervy but that is understandable for one so young and inexperienced and he proved his penalty kick ability in the semifinal against Bayern Munich he saved Thomas Muller’s shot to keep Atletico in the tournament.

Many thought he would never fill the boots of Courtois but his performances and command of his area in such a successful team show that the young Slovenian is among the most promising goalkeepers in the world. “They are one of the best teams in the world at defending. Oblak did a great job,” said former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti after a Champions League game.

Oblak still has much to prove at Atletico and eventually he will earn his move to a much more financially powerful club that could give him a Champions League trophy. The story of Jan Oblak is still being written.

The veteran Chilean goalkeeper has been rewarded with a move to FC Barcelona late in his career and he has taken the chance to win titles with both hands. Bravo has won a Champions League medal, two La Liga titles, and two Copa America trophies in the last two years. Before his move, the shot stopper played for Colo-Colo in Chile before minding the net with Real Sociedad.

Bravo has been among elite keepers in La Liga for some time but his recent performances with Barcelona and Chile prove his class. He conceded only 19 goals in his first season in between the sticks for the Blaugrana outfit, nearly equalling the La Liga record.

His technique and distribution are top class and he fits the passing style of Barcelona perfectly. The role of an eleventh outfield player is extremely important to the Spanish side’s style of play and Bravo fits in nicely.

The 33 year old, 6’1” Chilean is positionally very intelligent. His astute reading of the game allows him to make spectacular saves from point blank range and from world class free kicks.

Even with his distribution and intelligence, Bravo can sometimes be inattentive and absent minded. His play is not always consistent.

The Chilean legend has performed admirably in the Barcelona shirt even for his shortcomings and he has rightfully cemented his place as a La Liga champion.

The Costa Rican keeper earned himself a move to Real Madrid from Levante in the summer of 2014 following astounding performances for Levante. The shot stopper plied his trade with Saprissa in his home country before moving to Spain to Albacete. Navas won the Champions League with Madrid in the 2015 — 2016 season and was also named the best goalkeeper during the 2013 — 2014 season with Levante.

Levante tried desperately to keep hold of their star goalkeeper. President Quico Catalan harbors no ill will, however. ”He has been influenced by Iker being the best goalkeeper in the world for a long time. Keylor will be at Real Madrid for a few years and will do great things. I am convinced", he told Canal Plus in praise of the Costa Rican's ability.

The 6’1”, 29 year old has excelled in between the sticks for Madrid after legendary Iker Casillas moved on. The Costa Rican has brought incredibly quick reflexes and an eye for the ball that is uncanny. The goalie can read the swerve on the ball extremely well and his positioning and reactions to shots is unmatched.

His concentration and mentality is equally as impressing as his shot stopping ability. Navas plays with immense passion and it shines through in his celebrations after incredible saves. To stay focused on a pitch with some of the best attacking talent in world football is massively important as Madrid rarely do not have the ball. This further shows Navas’s class.

Despite his excellent shot stopping and mentality, the Costa Rican is not nearly as polished in his distribution. His passing is sharp but not up to the standards of other world class keepers, but his animal like reflexes make up for it.

Navas has rewarded Costa Ricans with his exploits at Madrid and his reflexes are among the best in the world. He was never expected to fill Casillas’s shoes, but he has done an incredible job and is a highly competent option for Madrid and will certainly win more medals with them.

Perhaps the most underrated and under appreciated goalkeeper on the planet, Nigerian Enyeama has proven himself with Lille in Ligue 1 since 2011. The shot stopper has no titles to his name but his poise and consistency has been vital to Lille maintaining stability in France. Enyeama, who is best soccer goalkeeper in the history of Nigeria, retired from international football as the most capped player in Nigeria’s history with 101 caps to his name. He served as captain of the team from 2013 to 2015, when he retired.

Former Nigeria national team manager Stephen Keshi said, “Enyeama is my first-choice goalkeeper. He is a very reliable and fantastic player, who I adore a lot because of his loyalty to the national cause. I will miss him".

The 33 year old is short for a top class European goalkeeper at 5’11”. The athletic keeper makes up for it with his lightning fast reflexes and superb agility. His reactions are on an elite level and his ability to jump and dive for every ball in his area has made it difficult for crosses and shots to find their way through to the Lille net.

His years in the game have provided him with ample experience that sets him apart from most Nigerian keepers and his mental strength and character are notable. He rarely loses concentration and his drive and determination to help his team win is rarely seen in a keeper at his level.

Enyeama has proven himself as a passionate team player with immense skill in protecting his net. His legacy will stand as a benchmark for Nigerian keepers.