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Goalkeepers are one of the fundamental elements of the game of football. On the stage of the Champions League, their importance is far more magnified than in any other competition.
Multiple pressures play a role in their performances. After all, the modern goalkeeper is trusted to do far more than just save goals. They are expected to start the team's build-up. They are also expected to command the defence of the team.
The Champions League is surely the stage of the elite and the goalkeepers on this list have rarely disappointed.
On that note, let us take a look at
Top 5 goalkeepers with most clean sheets in UEFA Champions League history
#5 Manuel Neuer - 48*
Manuel Neuer is probably one of the most successful goalkeepers to have ever played the game we all love. The German goalkeeper has gone on to define a generation of sweeper keepers in the modern era. He is arguably the best goalkeeper in football's long history.
At 35 years old, Neuer still believes his best years are still to come for Bayern Munich. Having joined the German giants in 2011, Neuer is their captain and has won numerous titles for them and his national side.
A key highlight of Manuel Neuer's career came when he finished third in the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2014; only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
During his time at Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer has made over 443 appearances for them. Out of 443, 120 of those appearances have come through his outings in the Champions League for Munich.
Manuel Neuer ranks fifth on the list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in UEFA Champions League history with over 48 clean sheets to his name.
#4 Petr Čech - 49
Petr Čech is a player who is often regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever played for Chelsea F.C.
He currently holds the role of Technical and Performance Advisor at Chelsea and often contributes to Chelsea's management operations.
His time at Chelsea as a goalkeeper has been a remarkable success where he has won four league titles. He also won one Champions League title and a Europa League trophy.
Petr Čech made over 111 appearances for Chelsea and Arsenal in the Champions League. Among those appearances, he has made a total of 49 clean sheets. This means he ranks fourth on the list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in UEFA Champions League history.
#3 Edwin van der Sar - 51
Edwin van der Sar is a name who shall always be synonymous with Manchester United's glory in England and Europe. He was a 6 ft 6" giant who stood in goal for the Red Devils under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson.
He is yet another former player who has stepped up to a management position. He is presently Ajax's chief executive.
Van der Sar, during his playing days, was an extraordinary goalkeeper with a cat-like reflex and a commanding physicality. He lifted numerous titles during his time with Manchester United and Ajax with over 26 major trophies under his belt.
In 98 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, Van der Sar has a record of having kept 51 clean sheets for his team.
#2 Gianluigi Buffon - 52*
Gianluigi Buffon is a 43 year-old goalkeeper who enjoys legendary status among the tifosi thanks to his time at Juventus and the Italian national side.
Now back with his boyhood club in the Italian Serie B side, Parma, he is heading into the 27th league campaign of his long career.
Buffon has made 124 appearances for Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. In that time, he has kept a total of 52 clean sheets. This makes him one of the most successful keepers to have ever played in the UEFA Champions League.
#1 Iker Casillas - 59
Iker Casillas is the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the UEFA Champions League. He is a player who is reverantly called Saint Iker by the Madridistas due to his god-like performances in goal for Real Madrid.
With 177 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, Iker Casillas has managed 59 clean sheets for Real Madrid and Porto. This makes him the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the history of the competition.
Casillas is surely a superstar of the footballing world. Having won the Champions League three times, he is one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever played the game.
