Ranking the top 5 goalkeepers in the world right now

As the tactics in football have developed and become more complex over the years, the role of a goalkeeper has also undergone a transformation. A modern-day goalkeeper is expected to do way more than just keeping the ball out of the back of the net, as he is now trusted to assist the build-up play, instigate counter-attacks and sometimes, even find a line-breaking pass through the opposition defense.

Goalkeepers are now sharing the limelight with some of the best wingers, strikers, defenders, and midfielders in the world because of their increased importance in a team. Clubs are now prepared to spend exorbitant amounts of money to find a trusted footballer who can start in between the sticks (Kepa Arrizabalaga - €80M to Chelsea, Alisson Becker - €72.5M to Liverpool are the most recent examples).

Here, we are going to rank the top 5 goalkeepers in the world, who are currently indispensable to their sides.

Also Read: 10 best goalkeepers of the decade

#5 Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois signed for Real Madrid on August 2018 as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he struggled to integrate into the team in his first season - so much so that he was even labeled a flop.

This season, however, we are finally witnessing the true quality of Los Blancos' Belgian goalkeeper as he has redeemed himself to the Madrid faithful by keeping 11 clean sheets from 21 games in La Liga, to go along with 2 clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League.

Courtois was always a brilliant shot-stopper and quite adept at playing out from the back, which we are finally seeing quite regularly at the Santiago Bernabeu. His communication with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane has improved as well and made the team a better defensive unit. His form will be key if Zinedine Zidane wants to lead Real to a league title this season.

Also Read: Top 5 goalkeepers currently in the Premier League

#4 Wojciech Szczesny

Juventus' number one Wojciech Szczesny is part of a football team that, over the years, has been known to have a world-class defence but this season, the Italian giants have been leaking more goals than usual. As a result, their Polish shot-stopper has had to work more in between the sticks.

In the 17 games he has played in Serie A this season, Szczesny has kept 7 clean sheets, while he has kept 2 in the UEFA Champions League. The 29-year-old has everything one wants in a goalkeeper - brilliant technical ability, great reflexes, and he also commands his penalty area vocally.

This season, we have seen all those qualities from the former Arsenal man and he has been highly reliable between the sticks for the Old Lady.

#3 Jan Oblak

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has been consistently making this list in the last few years and that tells you everything you need to know about the 27-year-old's quality.

The Slovenia international has kept 11 clean sheets from 24 La Liga games this season and if not for his constant world-class saves, Los Rojiblancos could've found themselves outside the top four as they are currently at fourth place, level on points (40) with Sevilla, who are fifth. He has kept 4 clean sheets from 7 games in the Champions League, with the most recent of them coming against Liverpool in the first leg of their Round of 16 fixture.

What makes Oblak different from everyone else is his immense shot-stopping ability as he can pull off saves that not many goalkeepers can. In addition, he is also considerably good on the ball, although there's room for improvement.

He is one of the best players to have ever played for Atletico and if he doesn't leave in the near future, he will go down as a legend at the Wanda Metropolitano.

#2 Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Barcelona are blessed to have Marc-Andre ter Stegen as he has emerged as a routine saviour for the team with his scintillating performances this season.

Both Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet are having a tough time this season and they owe much to their goalkeeper, who has been saving their blushes throughout this season.

The 27-year-old has kept just 6 clean sheets in La Liga and only 2 in the Champions League but that should be put down to the Blaugrana's horrible defence this season, and not him.

Ter Stegen is one of the best goalkeepers in the world when it comes to playing out from the back and he is also brilliant when it comes to saving penalties. The German has been Barcelona's best player this season, alongside Lionel Messi, of course.

#1 Alisson Becker

After signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2018, Alisson Becker has become a vital cog in Jurgen Klopp's unstoppable team. The Brazilian, alongside Virgil Van Dijk, has had an incredible impact on the Reds and he continues his good form this season as he has been sensational in between the sticks.

The 27-year-old has kept an insane 12 clean sheets from 18 games in the Premier League and it's not as if he hasn't had saves to make; it's quite the opposite as he has pulled off some world-class saves this season.

In addition, he has been instigating counter-attacks for Liverpool from the back with incredible precision and also has an assist to his name in the English top-flight (against Manchester United). On the other hand, he has kept just 1 clean sheet from 5 games in the Champions League but he has only conceded 4 goals, which is not really a bad tally.

Alisson provides a sense of calm for the Reds at the back and he's currently the best goalkeeper in the world by a mile.

Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh