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Probably the most underrated position in football is that of a goalkeeper. They are very rarely given the praise they deserve.
A single mistake from shot-stoppers can prove to be costly, and more often than not results in a goal. Mental strength is required to play in that role, and some of the best leaders in the game are often goalkeepers.
The evolution of football has seen the demands on goalkeepers increase. They are expected to be comfortable on the ball and able to spring attacks with their passing, while also being alert to the threats from the opposition attackers.
Over the years, many goalkeepers have dazzled in Europe and outside. Buffon's heroics for Italy and Casillas leading Spain to a host of international trophies are but a few of the great memories these custodians have etched into the minds of their fans.
On that note, let's rank the five best goalkeepers to have played the beautiful game of football in the last decade.
#5 Gianluigi Buffon
One of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport, Gianluigi Buffon was a beacon of consistency for much of the last decade.
Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 for £47.6 million, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at that time. The Italy international became a firm fan favorite with his performances for the club, and his decision to stay with Juventus despite their relegation in 2006 was received extremely well by the club's fans.
The goalkeeper made 656 appearances in all competitions during his first spell with Juventus. In the last decade, he has won eight Serie A titles with the Old Lady and reached two Champions League finals. He was also the winner of the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award four times in a row. With Paris Saint-Germain, he won the Ligue 1, and returned to Juventus in 2019. The 43-year old rejoined Parma last month.
His exploits with the national team are legendary as well. His biggest achievement with Italy came when he helped the Azzurri lift the 2006 edition of the FIFA World Cup.
#4 David de Gea
It is hard to imagine where Manchester United would have been in the last decade had it not been for David de Gea's performances in goal.
De Gea was comfortably Manchester United's best player of the last decade and the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. The Spain international was a world-class shotstopper in his prime and often left attackers frustrated with his miraculous saves.
The former Atletico Madrid man has won the Premier League once in the last decade. He was included in the PFA Team of the Year five times, was the recipient of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times and won the Premier League Golden Glove for the 2017/18 season. The 30-year old has struggled in recent seasons but remains one of Manchester United's Premier League greats.
Unfortunately for De Gea, he is no longer the goalkeeper he once was. His drop in form over the last two seasons has been drastic and De Gea is no longer the first choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford.
#3 Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas has to be one of the most underrated players of the modern generation.
Navas is a world-class goalkeeper who showcased his talent during the 2014 FIFA World Cup for Costa Rica, which in-turn earned him a move to Real Madrid. After a season on the bench, the Costa Rica international established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for Los Blancos and played a crucial role as Real Madrid won three Champions League titles in a row.
However, the club's decision to sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea saw Navas get dropped to the bench again. Paris Saint-Germain came calling in 2019, and the 34-year old once again showed his capabilities; helping the Ligue 1 giants reach the Champions League final in 2020. Paris Saint-Germain's decision to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer could see Navas become second-choice goalkeeper for the Parisiens despite being on fine form at the moment.
#2 Jan Oblak
Seen by many as the best goalkeeper in the world, Jan Oblak has been an important cog at Atletico Madrid.
Oblak joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica in 2014, and was initially a backup to Miguel Angel Moya. However, the Slovenia international capitalized on Moya's injury to become the first-choice goalkeeper for Atletico Madrid, and he has not looked back ever since.
Boasting excellent reflexes and leadership qualities, Oblak has thrived in Spain. He has made 303 appearances in all competitions for Atletico Madrid. He has won the La Liga Zamora Trophy and the La Liga Best Goalkeeper four times each in the last decade. He also won the La Liga last season.
#1 Manuel Neuer
The German stopped was an absolute giant of the game in the early years of the last decade. He helped Germany win the 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup and Bayern Munich, the UEFA Champions League in the 2012/13 season.
He was seen as the best by a country mile for at least half a decade (from 2010-2015) and Neuer raised the bar on that by adding excellent passing abilities to his game.
However, since 2017, his form started to dip. For a short period of time in the last decade, it seemed as if Manuel Neuer's best was behind him. Many fans and pundits suggested that Bayern Munich should opt to buy a new first-team goalkeeper.
During the 2017/18 season, Neuer made only four appearances in all competitions for Bayern Munich due to injury reasons, and was not at his very best during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
However, the Germany international has shrugged off those issues and is once again one of the best goalkeepers in the world, at the age of 35.
The 35-year-old won the treble with Bayern Munich during the 2019/20 season. Neuer, who was included in the UEFA Team of the Year four times in the last decade, is now the captain for both club and country.
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