While goalkeepers were once seen as having the straightforward task of preventing balls from finding the net, they’ve had to adapt to the changing demands of modern football.
Today, they’re expected to do more than just make saves; they’re integral to the team’s defensive strategy and must possess exceptional distribution skills. Thanks to pioneers like Manuel Neuer, the days of the traditional shot-stopper are long gone.
With this expanded role comes increased pressure. A single mistake can lead to a goal and a barrage of criticism from fans and media alike.
Compiling a list of the top 10 goalkeepers is akin to navigating a minefield. It’s challenging, but it certainly makes for lively debate – an essential element of the beautiful game.
So, without further ado, here’s the rundown of the best goalkeepers gracing the footballing world in 2024.
1. Alisson Becker
In 2018, when Liverpool splurged nearly £70 million on Alisson, rival fans couldn’t resist mocking the hefty price tag on social media. But fast forward to today, and those jokes have fallen silent.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been a game-changer for Liverpool, stepping into the shoes of Loris Karius with finesse. He’s a rare blend of a sweeper-keeper and a traditional shot-stopper, elevating Liverpool’s game in multiple ways.
Alisson was brought in to help Liverpool build from the back, showcasing remarkable passing skills that often kick-start attacking moves. But he’s not just about distribution; he’s equally adept at keeping the opposition at bay.
Last season, amidst challenges for Liverpool, he consistently came to the rescue with crucial saves, exceeding expectations by quite a margin.
His agility and quick reflexes are matched by his boldness in rushing off his line to clear danger, be it with his feet or hands. He’s not afraid to take on opponents when pressed, allowing Liverpool to maintain a high defensive line.
Alisson’s ability to read the game extends beyond the penalty area, making him a formidable force in defensive actions outside the box. His passing range is remarkable too, often initiating attacks with his precise distribution.
To put it simply, Alisson is a phenomenon.
His contributions to Liverpool’s success are undeniable, and it isn’t very comforting to imagine where they’d be without him.
2. Ederson
Since the days of Petr Cech, Ederson stands out as one of the most influential goalkeepers in the Premier League. While the arrival of Claudio Bravo initially raised eyebrows, Ederson has proven his worth, becoming a linchpin for City’s style of play.
While some may question his shot-stopping abilities, Ederson’s consistency has silenced many critics. He’s been a reliable figure for City, clinching the Premier League Golden Gloves for the last three seasons.
Described as agile, commanding, and physically imposing, Ederson is known for his exceptional distribution and ball-playing skills.
His confidence on the ball allows him to maintain possession and launch attacks with precision, whether with his hands or feet.
His proficiency with his feet sets him apart, making him an outstanding goalkeeper and a remarkable footballer in his own right.
3. Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Despite Barcelona’s recent struggles, their goalkeeper remains a standout performer.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen possesses razor-sharp reflexes, strong wrists, and distribution skills. These qualities have rightfully earned him a place among the world’s best goalkeepers.
While injuries have sidelined him at times, his performance levels have soared over the past year, despite his admitted lack of passion for the game.
During the 2022/23 season, he won the Zamora Trophy, conceding a mere 20 goals throughout the campaign, a remarkable feat. At one point, Barcelona seemed poised to break Petr Cech’s record for the fewest goals conceded, evidence of Ter Stegen’s prowess between the posts.
His ability to read the game and swiftly rush off his line allows him to thwart opponents even beyond the penalty area. Known for his adept ball control and precise distribution, he often acts as a sweeper-keeper, initiating attacks from the back.
Ter Stegen’s goalkeeping style, often described as “German,” involves not only making crucial saves but also actively closing down opponents with his legs.
His talents extend beyond shot-stopping; Ter Stegen has an impressive passing accuracy, completing over 50 per cent of his long-range passes, ranking him among Europe’s best.
Despite recent injury setbacks, Ter Stegen’s imminent return is a welcome development for both Barcelona and the German national team.
4. Emiliano Martinez
During a 38-game season, Emi Martinez might make some mistakes that keep him from being considered among the very best goalkeepers. But when it comes to big games, there might not be anyone better than him.
Numbers-wise, Emi doesn’t always stand out statistically.
However, he’s exceptional at catching crosses, which shows his mastery in dealing with a tough situation.
But what sets him apart is his performance in crucial matches. We first saw this during Arsenal’s FA Cup win in 2020, and then he became a national hero in Argentina.
Emi gained fame for his ability to save penalties, particularly in shoot-outs. In three penalty shoot-outs for Argentina, opponents have only scored seven times out of 14 attempts, which is a 50 per cent success rate.
By the end of 2022, Emi had saved seven out of 35 penalties faced during his career matches, and three more were missed by opponents, resulting in a 71 per cent success rate for them.
If we consider all the penalties faced by Emi, including those in regular matches and shoot-outs, he saved 13 and saw five missed, which gives him a 69.5 percent success rate.
He made a name for himself by winning the Copa America and then earned the Best Goalkeeper award in the World Cup in Qatar. As Aston Villa’s number one, he consistently performs well when the spotlight is on him.
5. Mike Maignan
Mike Maignan has firmly established himself as France’s top goalkeeper, thanks to his lightning-fast reflexes, making him a strong candidate for the role.
When Gianluigi Donnarumma left AC Milan, they faced a significant gap to fill in their goalkeeper position. However, since Mike Maignan joined San Siro, AC Milan has remained solid defensively.
Maignan’s performance in Serie A has earned him widespread recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, boosting his reputation globally. Despite frequent injuries to Milan’s defenders this season, Maignan has maintained a high level of performance.
In the early stages of the new season, Maignan attempted the most passes per 90 minutes among all players.
Traditionally, goalkeepers were mainly tasked with preventing goals, but Maignan has shown exceptional reflexes by winning the Golden Glove in Serie A, keeping 18 clean sheets.
He also contributes to Milan’s build-up play by occasionally moving up the pitch, acting as a pseudo-third centre-back. This allows Milan’s full-backs to push forward and create width in attack, evidence of Maignan’s confidence and ball-playing skills.
His highlight reel showcases numerous impressive saves, often rescuing Milan from difficult situations with his strong hands and impressive jumping ability.
At 28 years old, Maignan is approaching the peak of his career and could potentially improve even further. Many wonder how Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) allowed such a talented player to slip away.
6. Lukas Hradecky
The goalkeeper for Bayer Leverkusen, Lukas Hradecky, may not grab headlines, but he’s quietly been one of the Bundesliga’s best since he joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 2015.
After moving to Bayer Leverkusen three years later, he’s become a reliable mainstay for the team, known for his focus and calm demeanour.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen is undefeated and poised to challenge perennial favourites Bayern Munich for the title. They’ve been scoring goals freely while impressively keeping them out at the other end, conceding just 14 goals in their first 18 games.
Hradecky, an experienced Finnish international at 34 years old, has been crucial to Leverkusen’s success, using his sharp reflexes and towering 6’2 frame to keep the ball out of the net.
Among all goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, Hradecky has the highest save percentage, the most clean sheets, and has conceded the fewest goals.
If Leverkusen manages to win the title, their captain’s composed performances will undoubtedly play a significant role.
7. Jan Oblak
Oblak is a very strong goalkeeper. Many experts consider him one of the best in the world. He’s tall, athletic, and powerful.
His greatest strengths are his speed, quick reflexes, and agility.
He’s good at reading the game and has excellent skills in handling the ball and coming off his line to catch crosses. This helps him control the area around his goal effectively.
The media often praises him for his hard work, smart positioning, footwork, and ability to stop shots. He’s also known for staying calm under pressure and being consistent. He’s a leader who makes his teammates feel confident in defence.
Watching Jan Oblak play, especially when he’s won the Zamora Trophy five times, you might think the ball is magically drawn to his hands. It’s like his gloves have their special pull.
Although he had a rough patch during the 2022/23 season, he’s back to his best now.
8. Manuel Neuer
Neuer is considered one of the top goalkeepers in the world currently and among the greatest of his generation and all time. Widely regarded as a “complete” and modern goalkeeper, he’s often praised for his versatility.
Many pundits hail Neuer as the best goalkeeper of the modern era, comparing him to the legendary Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or.
Standing tall, large, and strong, Neuer earns acclaim for his speed, endurance, calmness, consistency, and adaptability on the field.
Renowned for his lightning reflexes, agility, and adeptness at stopping shots with both his arms and legs, Neuer is also skilled at reading the game and commanding his area.
His ability to act as a sweeper by rushing out of goal to clear the ball when necessary is remarkable and has revolutionized the role of the goalkeeper.
Neuer’s distinctive playing style has earned him the title of “sweeper-keeper.”
He’s lauded for his positioning, prowess in one-on-one situations, and proficiency in stopping penalties. Despite facing age and injury concerns, Neuer remains Bayern Munich’s preferred choice in goal.
As he ages, it’s evident that he’s not the same goalkeeper we all once knew.
Even as he approaches 38 in 2024, he still possesses the ability to guard the goal of a team aspiring to conquer both domestic and European competitions. His experience, skill, and leadership make him a valuable asset between the posts.
Having secured major titles such as the World Cup and Champions League, Neuer has an impressive trophy cabinet, solidifying his status as the original sweeper-keeper.
9. Guglielmo Vicario
Vicario may not be a well-known figure outside the Premier League. However, at a towering height of 193cm, he has the potential to become an imposing presence for Tottenham Hotspur.
Replacing Hugo Lloris, who was an outstanding shot-stopper but struggled with his passing, was a daunting task. Lloris often resorted to clearing the ball hastily or allowing defenders to initiate attacks, which became a weakness for Spurs that needs to be addressed under Postecoglou.
This is where Vicario comes in.
Ranking in the top 10% for touches per 90 minutes, he shows a willingness to start attacks from the back, adding a dimension to Spurs’ play. Known for his assertive style, he is less likely to play it safe, presenting both risks and rewards.
Moreover, Vicario’s style of play aligns well with Postecoglou’s tactics. He not only excels in possession but also demonstrates exceptional shot-stopping abilities.
Despite some scepticism from fans about signing a 27-year-old Serie A journeyman, Vicario has exceeded expectations.
Considered by many as one of the best signings of the season, he has been exceptional between the posts, showcasing both his shot-stopping prowess and his ability to build play from the back.
And the best part? He may not have even reached his peak yet.
10. Diogo Costa
Diogo Costa has emerged as a rising star, solidifying his position as Porto and Portugal’s top choice.
At just 24 years old, Costa has an impressive collection of trophies at the club level, showing not only his ability to make crucial saves but also his exceptional distribution skills.
The hype surrounding Costa is well-founded, considering his remarkable achievements at such a young age. As a modern goalkeeper, he excels in distributing the ball, often initiating attacks for his team.
His adeptness at bypassing high-pressing opponents by delivering precise passes to his fullbacks sets him apart.
In the Portuguese league this season, Costa has proved his proficiency, having a pass completion rate of 74%, surpassing that of notable keepers like De Gea in the Premier League.
Moreover, his accuracy in long-range passes, completing 40% of them, further highlights his versatility and precision on the field.
With an impressive average of 42 passes attempted per 90 minutes and completion rates consistently in the 70th percentile, Costa’s ability to construct play from the back is unparalleled.
His calm demeanor coupled with his ability to orchestrate plays make him a standout performer.
Despite his young age, Costa has garnered widespread attention across Europe for his exceptional skills, positioning him as a leading candidate for the goalkeeping spot at one of the continent’s top clubs shortly.
Other Best Goalkeepers In 2024
- Thibaut Courtois
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Yassine Bounou
- Yann Sommer
- Aaron Ramsdale
- Unai Simon
- David Raya
- Andre Onana
- Bernd Leno
- Marco Carnesecchi
- Giorgi Mamardashvili
- Nick Pope
- Michele Di Gregorio
- Wojciech Szczesny
- Jordan Pickford
- Anatoliy Trubin
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