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With Petr Cech announcing his retirement at the end of this season, the footballing world will miss seeing another great keeper. On most occasions, goalkeepers are out of the limelight and the strikers get the majority of the media attention.
The best thing about goalkeepers is they enjoy a pretty long career span. While most players start retiring when they hit 30 years old, keepers can play till they are around 38 or older.
The world has seen its fair share of excellent goalkeepers from around the world such as Peter Schmeichel, David Seaman, and Oliver Kahn. Many of them have retired, but a select few remain in action.
Keepers are very important to any team. If a team keeps conceding, there is no way the team would be able to lift a trophy. Here are three legends who are still active.
#3 Iker Casillas (Porto FC)
The Porto goalkeeper remains in action for his club, as he remains the first choice keeper for the team. This season, the Spaniard has played all matches for his club in the UEFA Champions League and Primera Liga. It looks like the 37-year-old still does not have plans to retire from both club and international football.
Casillas was the second-choice goalkeeper behind David de Gea at Euro 2016, and for last year's World Cup, he was left out of Julen Lopetegui's final 23-men squad. Although the last time he made an appearance for the national team was in 2016, the 37-year-old has not announced his international retirement, as compared to other players such as Andrés Iniesta.
The keeper will be fondly remembered by fans for his contribution towards Spain's 2010 World Cup victory, and the multiple titles he won during his time at Real Madrid. Casillas is known for his reflex saves, and is extremely good at saving long-range shots.
In his latter years at Real Madrid, the Spaniard lost his place in the starting eleven, as his relationship with Jose Mourinho soured. Eventually, he decided to leave for Porto in 2015. Now, he has had 100 Champions League victories, a feat accomplished only by Cristiano Ronaldo previously.
All stats via transfermarkt
#2 Petr Cech (Arsenal)
He has been limited to UEFA Europa League and domestic cup ties in recent months, as Unai Emery has decided Bernd Leno should be the first choice keeper for the club.
When Leno first joined Arsenal, Cech was initially still named in the starting eleven. However, after returning from his injury, the Czech goalkeeper has since been on the bench in the Premier League.
The former Chelsea man joined Arsenal in 2015 after deciding to call time at the London club. Thibaut Courtois had deputised him to become the first choice keeper with the Blues. At the same time, the 36-year-old had already won numerous trophies in his long career at Chelsea.
While Cech continues to set his sights on lifting the Premier League title once again, it seems impossible this season with Liverpool and Manchester City clear leaders at the top of the table. Instead, Arsenal find themselves battling with his former club and Manchester United for a spot in the Champions League next season.
For the last few seasons of his career, the shot-stopper has often been criticised for conceding too many goals. He was seen as unreliable at the back, and was unable to find the influence and command he once had during his glory days at Chelsea. Many goalkeepers and former team-mates were quick to wish Cech all the best, and thanked him for his contribution all these years.
It will be his final season playing football, and hopefully he will be able to represent Arsenal in the Europa League, and help the club lift the trophy.
Beyond his club commitment, the 36-year-old is the most capped player for his country. The keeper retired from international duty in 2016, and by then he had made 124 appearances for his nation.
#1 Gianluigi Buffon (Paris Saint-Germain)
The 40 year old keeper is indeed one of the world's best and most legendary keepers. The Italian spent the majority of his career playing for Juventus, and at the end of last season, he decided to move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after his contract with the Serie A club ended.
In 2006, Buffon was the first choice keeper when Italy lifted the World Cup trophy. Thereafter, the international team has not been able to perform on the big stage. It remains one of his biggest disappointments.
Now at PSG, Buffon had made 13 appearances and kept 5 clean sheets in all competitions. According to Thomas Tuchel, the Italian is the backup keeper, as Areola remains the top choice.
The world considers Buffon to be a legend both for Juventus and Italy. The Italian international does not have plans to stop playing at the moment, and there had been speculation last year that he even hopes to play until he is 50.
During his time in Turin, Buffon came close to lifting the Champions League trophy on multiple occasions. However, he is yet to get his hands on the trophy. While PSG looks strong, the favourites of the competition are still Barcelona and Real Madrid. Perhaps Buffon will never win the trophy.
