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It’s a thankless job, being a goalkeeper. Keep a clean sheet and the defense takes the plaudits. Make one mistake and you are guaranteed to be reminded of it every day. For a position that is supposed to be the most important on the pitch, goalkeepers rarely get their due credit.
#10 Samir Handanovic
Team/s: Inter Milan and Slovenia
Appearances: 52
Honours: N/A
A reliable presence in the Inter Milan rearguard, Samir Handanovic’s performances for the Nerazzuri have slipped under the radar owing to the Italian giants’ poor performances in the last three years.
But things could have been worse for Inter had it not been for the heroics of Handanovic, whose saves have saved many a point for the Nerazzuri. If their current plight continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Handanovic playing for a bigger team with better fortunes.
#9 Keylor Navas
Team/s: Levante, Real Madrid and Costa Rica
Appearances: 45
Honours: 2014 World Cup (Quarterfinals)
Current Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas caught the eye of millions with his sensational performance in the 2014 World Cup for Costa Rica. The keeper was in great form and made stunning saves as Costa Rica surprised Italy, Uruguay and England to top Group D.
Eventually, Costa Rica’s run was brought to a halt by Netherlands in the quarterfinal, but Navas had done enough to warrant a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Now Navas faces a great challenge, that off knocking Iker Casillas off his perch. Ancelotti has already called upon Navas thrice this season, but it remains to be seen whether the Costa Rican can claim the no.1 jersey at Madrid for good.
#8 Hugo Lloris
Team/s: Tottenham Hotspur and France
Appearances: 66
Honours: 2014 World Cup (Quarterfinals)
Hugo Lloris’ penchant for playing as a sweeper-keeper has led to the French international becoming one of the top keeper in the world. Following his move to EPL side Tottenham Hotspur, Lloris has gone from strength to strength and become a top-class goalkeeper.
Lloris is the undisputed no.1 for France and conceded only three goals during the tournament as France eventually bowed out at the quarterfinal stage to eventual winners Germany.
#7 Joe Hart
Team/s: Manchester City and England
Appearances: 59
Honours: EPL (Winner)
Manchester City romped home to another EPL title in the May of 2014, and they had keeper Joe Hart to thank for saving their blushes on a number of occasions. The England international had a difficult start to the season, being dropped and losing form.
But a strong second half campaign for Hart meant he earned the right to start for England at the 2014 World Cup. Although England finished last in Group D and crashed out of the World Cup, Hart was solid if not excellent.
#6 Salvatore Sirigu
Team/s: Paris St. Germain and Italy
Appearances: 69
Honours: Ligue 1 (Winner), Coupe de la Ligue (Winner)
Behind the razzle and dazzle of PSG’s multi-million dollar performers lies the quiet, unassuming figure of Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. The shotstopper has been in remarkable for the French giants, helping the club to another league title in May 2014.
Sirigu also featured at the World Cup for Italy, owing to an injury to Gianluigi Buffon. Although Buffon is still going strong at 36, it is only a matter of time before Sirigu dons the no. 1 jersey for Italy.
#5 Gianluigi Buffon
Team/s: Juventus and Italy
Appearances: 67
Honours: Serie A (Winner)
Despite a disastrous World Cup campaign, Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon’s performance in the calendar year 2014 was pretty remarkable. At 36, the Italian shows no signs of handing over the gloves, as yet another Serie A title win proved.
Buffon’s presence at the back adds stability to a three-man Juventus defense, one of the very few implementations on a back three in world football. Buffon’s consistency and reliability still marks him as one of the top 10 goalkeepers in the world.
#4 Diego Lopez
Team/s: Real Madrid and AC Milan
Appearances: 44
Honours: La Liga (Runner up), Champions League (Winner)
Starting with Jose Mourinho and then under Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Lopez made his presence known at the Santiago Bernabeu. Displacing Iker Casillas in the team is no mean feat, but by the time Lopez left for AC Milan, it was clear who the best keeper at Real Madrid was.
The Spaniard was not called up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup owing to the presence of Iker Casillas – yet another example of how player power and influence halted Lopez’ spectacular rise in Spanish football.
#3 David De Gea
Team/s: Manchester United
Appearances: 62
Honours: N/A
The last 3 years have seen MAnchester United goalkeeper David De Gea go from strength to strength. Derided for his questionable technique and tiny frame when he first arrived to England, the Spaniard has improved immeasurably and can safely call himself one of the top three keepers in world football.
De Gea was among the handful of players that came out of the disastrous 2013/14 EPL season with some credit. Under David Moyes, Manchester United struggled but the same cannot be said of the goalkeeper who saved them many a points over the season.
This season, under Louis Van Gaal, De Gea has had to play behind a new defense every week, yet his performances remain top notch.
#2 Thibaut Courtois
Team/s: Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Belgium
Appearances: 72
Honours: 2014 World Cup (Quarterfinals), La Liga (Winner), UEFA Champions League (Runner-up)
Courtois was the rock upon which Diego Simeone built the title-winning Atletico Madrid side of 2013/14. At just 22, the Belgian keeper put in incredibly consistent performances to help his team break the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain.
At the World Cup, Courtois was at his imperious best as Belgium progressed to the semifinals only to be undone by an early strike by Gonzalo Higuain. Courtois conceded only three goals during the entire tournament.
Back at Chelsea for the 2014/15 season, Courtois’ performances have only gone up a notch. With his gigantic frame, the Belgian is an intimidating presence for opposition strikers and thrives in one-on-one situations.
#1 Manuel Neuer
Team/s: Bayern Munich and Germany
Appearances: 69
Honours: 2014 FIFA WC (Winner), Bundesliga (Winner), DFB Pokal (Winner), UEFA Super Cup (Winner), FIFA CLub World Cup (Winner)
2014 was a spectacular year for Manuel Neuer as he established himself as the best goalkeeper in the world of football. Neuer’s unique goalkeeping methods have allowed his Bayern Munich and Germany sides to press high up the pitch, effectively leaving room behind the defense for Neuer to act as a sweeper.
Neuer’s heroics in the 2014 World Cup led to Germany reaching the promised land, and his performances against Algeria was simply outstanding. The keeper played as a libero and made tackles outside his box, something unheard of in modern-day football.
His performances in the calendar year 2014 have also earned him a nomination for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.
