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Playing in arguably the most underrated position in football, goalkeepers are often overlooked for the more glamourous spots in the team.
However, it is one of the toughest jobs on the field that requires concentration, composure and the ability to pull off saves at any moment in a game.
While the likes of David de Gea, Ederson and Alisson have made quite an impact in recent years, there are a host of goalkeepers who became iconic No.1s.
Here, we take a look at the 10 greatest goalkeepers of all time.
#10 OLIVER KAHN
Germany is well-renowned for its production of top-class goalkeepers, and Oliver Kahn is one of their premier goalkeeping superstars.
Not an extremely tall shot-stopper, Kahn made up for this shortcoming with his aggressive and commanding style of goalkeeping. Having begun his career with Karlsruher SC in 1987, the Germany international would move to Bayern Munich in 1994, where he played till his retirement in 2008.
For Germany, Kahn was an exceptional performer. His performances in the 2002 World Cup were such that he won the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament, despite Germany losing the final 2-0 to Brazil. He is the only goalkeeper in the tournament's history to win the Golden Ball.
#9 GORDON BANKS
Gordon Banks might be well-known for his miraculous save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup but he was a world-class goalkeeper at club level as well.
The England international spent much of his playing career with Leicester City and Stoke City, making more than 600 appearances in all competitions for both clubs combined. A strong, athletic goalkeeper renowned for his awareness and intelligence, Banks often made acrobatic saves.
He retired from football in 1978, after a stint with Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the United States. Banks also managed Telford United from 1979 to 1980. He passed away in 2019.
#8 SEPP MAIER
Another Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper, Sepp Maier was a one-club man who spent his entire career with the Bavarians.
Having made his debut in 1962 for Bayern Munich, Maier would go on to make nearly 600 appearances in all competitions for the club. Nicknamed "Die Katze von Anzing" (the cat from Anzing) due to his incredible reflexes, Maier was a light-hearted personality on the field.
The goalkeeper retired in 1980, going on to become the goalkeeping coach of Germany in 1988 and stepping down in 2004. He also became the goalkeeping coach of Bayern Munich in 1994, holding the position till 2008. Maier also mentored Oliver Kahn.
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#7 EDWIN VAN DER SAR
A product of the famed Ajax youth academy, Edwin van der Sar has had a considerable impact at the Dutch club as well as at Manchester United.
The Netherlands international made more than 300 appearances in all competitions for Ajax, moving to Juventus in 1999. After two seasons in Italy, as well as four good seasons with Fulham, van der Sar moved to Manchester United aged 35. He would go on to win the Champions League with the Red Devils.
A goalkeeper who was excellent on the ball and who was appreciated by many because of his calmness and composure, van der Sar retired in 2011. He is currently the chief executive officer at Ajax.
#6 PETER SCHMEICHEL
Another player who was influential in the success of Manchester United, Peter Schmeichel was a loud and aggressive goalkeeper with an intimidating physique.
Schmeichel joined Manchester United from Brondby in 1991 and would go on to make nearly 400 appearances in all competitions for the club in eight years. The Denmark international won every possible trophy during his time with the Red Devils, completing the treble in the 1998-99 season.
He left United in 1999 and had stints with Sporting CP, Aston Villa and Manchester City. His son, Kasper Schmeichel is currently the goalkeeper of Leicester City and won the Premier League with them in 2016.
#5 GIANLUIGI BUFFON
One of the best goalkeepers of the modern generation, Gianluigi Buffon continues to be a good rotation option for Juventus.
Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 for a fee of €52 million, a world-record fee for a goalkeeper at the time. After incredible success with Juventus, where he won nine league titles, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018. A season later he returned to Juventus, becoming the back-up to Wojciech Szczesny.
The 42-year-old, at his prime, was well-known for his composure and command. His performances and personality have made him a role model for many goalkeepers in succeeding years. Despite all his successes, he is still searching for the elusive Champions League medal.
#4 IKER CASILLAS
A Real Madrid youth product who would go to achieve legendary status at the club, Iker Casillas, like Buffon, is seen as an exemplary professional.
A highly athletic shot-stopper with good leadership abilities, the Spain international made his debut for Los Blancos in 1999, going on to amass 725 appearances in all competitions before his departure from the club in 2015. He joined Porto, where he made over 150 appearances before retiring in 2020.
Casillas also made 167 appearances for Spain, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the Euros twice- in 2008 and 2012. The 39-year-old has returned to Real Madrid and is currently working as an advisor for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
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#3 MANUEL NEUER
Arguably the player who changed the way shot-stoppers operate these days, Manuel Neuer is often seen as the perfect example of a modern goalkeeper.
Neuer joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011 for €30 million and made an immediate impact with his shot-stopping abilities. A tall and strong goalkeeper, Neuer is also an excellent passer who is capable of finding outfield players with both hands and feet.
Called by many critics as a "sweeper-keeper", the Germany international's ability to rush out of his goal to clear the ball has been highly appreciated. He finished third in the FIFA Ballon d'Or for his performances for both Germany and Bayern Munich in 2014.
#2 DINO ZOFF
The second and last Italian goalkeeper to feature in this list, Dino Zoff comes second in this list of the 10 greatest goalkeepers of all time.
The Italy international spent much of his club career playing with Mantova, Napoli and Juventus, amassing 330 league appearances for the Old Lady. A fine shot-stopper who did his job perfectly, Zoff exuded confidence and calmness from the goal.
He retired in 1983, going on to become a manager. Zoff would go on to manage the likes of Juventus, Lazio and the Italy national team. He last managed Fiorentina in 2005.
#1 LEV YASHIN
Regarded by many as the greatest goalkeeper of all time, Lev Yashin was a one-club man, spending his entire career with Dynamo Moscow.
Nicknamed "Black Spider", Yashin was a loud goalkeeper who made his presence felt with his bravery and fine reflexes. The Soviet Union international saved 150 penalty kicks during his career, more than any other goalkeeper. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1963, the only goalkeeper to have won the award.
Seen as a revolutionary goalkeeper who changed the way the position was seen forever, Yashin retired from playing football in 1970. He spent various years at Dynamo Moscow in administrative posts. Yashin passed away in 1990, aged 60.
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