Ranking the 5 best goalkeepers under the age of 25 right now

#3 Illan Meslier (Leeds United)

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the Premier League

The French goalkeeper started his career at the age of six when he joined FC Lorient's youth academy. After his successful development, Illan Meslier was in huge demand as both AS Monaco and Premier League club Chelsea inquired about his availability.

Lorient rejected the advances and a year later the young goalkeeper was sent on loan to Leeds United with the option of buying him on a permanent deal. Leeds triggered the clause to make the move permanent after they were promoted to the Premier League next season.

The young goalkeeper has since impressed critics and has been a key member of Leeds United. With his nimble feet and quick movement, Meslier is good at playing the sweeper-keeper role. His passing has been very impressive and is known to be very composed when under pressure.

Under Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, the French goalkeeper is only touted to gain more experience and get better. Within no time, the Whites could be flooded with enquiries for their young man between the sticks.

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#2 Dean Henderson (Manchester United)

Southampton v Manchester United - Premier League

The young English goalkeeper has been with Manchester United since the age of 14. After graduating from United's youth academy, Dean Henderson was sent on loan to a number of clubs.

He had loan spells at Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town and then Sheffield United. His most productive spell came with Sheffield United when he joined them in 2018.

The young goalkeeper was instrumental in helping the Blades secure promotion to the Premier League in 2019. He won the club's Young Player of the Year award back then. Henderson's game only got better in the Premier League as the Englishman kept 13 clean sheets in the entire season, conceding just 33 goals in 36 appearances.

The following season, the English goalkeeper challenged David De Gea to become Manchester United's starting goalkeeper. Henderson has done a decent job so far and it seems like the Red Devils have secured their future between the sticks with the Englishman. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is also expected to be more of a regular starter for the England national team in the future.

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#1 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)

Switzerland v Italy - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Gianluigi Donnarumma initially started playing football for Napoli's youth academy. At the age of 14 though, the Italian goalkeeper was signed by AC Milan where the youngster could join his elder brother Antonio.

The shot-stopper made his senior debut in 2015 at the age of 16 years and 242 days, becoming the second-youngest player ever to debut in Serie A. There on, Donnarumma not only gained experience but also made a name for himself while playing for the Rossoneri.

With him entering the last year of his contract last season, Milan were desperately involved in trying to extend his stay beyond the 2020-21 campaign. However, Donnarumma did not reach an agreement with Milan and this resulted in the 22-year old joining Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer.

It was a massive loss for Milan and they would have been more devastated seeing how Donnarumma performed at Euro 2020. His extra-ordinary performances in the tournament, especially in the penalty shootouts against Spain and England, earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

With his impressive reflexes, smart positioning and, most importantly, his maturity and reading of the game, Donnarumma could become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. PSG have got themselves a gem of a player in him and hopefully he'll be instrumental in bringing them a lot of success.