Good goalkeepers are difference-makers at the highest level, custodians of clean sheets and players capable of earning their side several points across the course of the campaign.
A reliable number one provides assurance to the rest of the team and European football is home to some brilliant goalkeepers. Far from shot-stopping alone, an elite goalkeeper must be skilled in decision-making, distribution and be a commanding presence in goal.
Each of these names have had a major contribution on their club’s campaign to date. So for those of you interested in the best online bookies like 1xbet download app, we’ve ranked the five best goalkeepers in the world right now.
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma – Paris Saint-Germain
Gianluigi Donnarumma remains a pivotal part of Paris Saint-Germain’s project, with the addition of the goalkeeper on a free transfer from AC Milan viewed as a deal to cement the club’s number one position for the next decade.
A precociously gifted goalkeeper, Donnarumma made the unusual step of breaking into the Milan side as a teenager and made 251 appearances for the Rossoneri before leaving for PSG.
???????? A look back on the performance of our goalkeeper @donnarumma, 7⃣ big saves ????❤️???? #OGCNPSG pic.twitter.com/1sPReqvhIQ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 10, 2023
The 24-year-old is on course to win a second successive Ligue 1 title this season, while he claimed international honours – including the Player of the Tournament award – as Italy won Euro 2020. A gargantuan frame with quick-thinking and adhesive hands, Donnarumma is already one of world football’s best number ones and boasts a backlog of success.
That goalkeepers often don’t tend to mature until their thirties means Donnarumma might only have scratched the surface of what he can become.
4. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Barcelona
Barcelona have posted some ridiculous defensive numbers in La Liga this season, with the Spanish league leaders often impenetrable during the current campaign.
Xavi’s side have conceded just NINE goals in 29 league fixtures this season, as an improved defensive solidity and the return to form of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have led their charge towards reclaiming the Spanish title.
The German goalkeeper has recorded a record 22 clean sheets with nine games of the season remaining, as many as the number of shutouts his closest challengers – Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro – have managed combined.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has kept 24 clean sheets in all competitions this season. No goalkeeper from Europe’s Top 5 Leagues has more shut-outs.
Access Denied. ???? pic.twitter.com/047qxpWbpx
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 17, 2023
He leads La Liga for save percentage (88.9%) and while Barcelona’s brand of football offers fine protection to their goalkeeper, Ter Stegen has been exceptional this season to reaffirm his status as one of the world’s best number ones.
3. Mike Maignan – AC Milan
When Gianluigi Donnarumma edged closer to the exit door at AC Milan, the club’s board could have been forgiven for fretting over the free transfer departure of a man expected to become his generation’s greatest goalkeeper.
Instead the Rossoneri recruited well, with the €15m deal to sign Maignan was Lille inspired business. Maignan was named as Serie A’s Goalkeeper of the Year as Milan won a drought-breaking title last season and has continued to enhance his reputation with some starring performances during the club’s unexpected run to the Champions League semi-finals this time around.
Mike Maignan has saved 14 out of 45 penalties he’s faced in his career ???????? pic.twitter.com/4gRy85qESU
— 433 (@433) April 18, 2023
He has conceded just once in the knockout stages to date, with the Frenchman mixing a calming pressure with a penchant to deliver in big moments, none more so than his penalty stop from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in Milan’s Champions League quarter-final win over Napoli.
With Hugo Lloris having retired from international football, Maignan will assume the role as France’s number one – a change that perhaps should have come sooner. Athletic, alert, consistent and commanding, his performances in Europe this season and promotion of profile with Les Bleus can see Maignan cement a position among the world’s best.
2. Alisson – Liverpool
Liverpool’s season has not unfolded as expected with last season’s Premier League and Champions League runners-up a distant eighth in the table and set to end the season without silverware.
There’s been no shortage of stars to have underperformed at Liverpool this season, but in Alission the Reds have at least had a goalkeeper to rely upon. The Brazilian has been brilliant in the wake of increased involvement, with his shot-stopping heroics having bailed out his side on an all-too-frequent basis.
Superb saves, @Alissonbecker ???????? pic.twitter.com/YTk94DYfhh
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 13, 2022
Alisson has long been the excellent distributor required to operate at a leading side, but mixes that with elite goalkeeping fundamentals and a perhaps unrivalled presence when facing forwards one-against-one.
This season the 30-year-old has statistically prevented a huge TEN goals more than he should have, comfortably the highest figure in the Premier League. In a team that has been all too accommodating in allowing chances for opposition sides this season, Alisson has performed when his side needed him. Liverpool’s Player of the Season and it has not been particularly close.
1. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois has cemented his status as arguably world football’s leading goalkeeper of late, with the Belgian having produced some of the best football of his career at Real Madrid.
Courtois’ career is stacked with honours, from league titles with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, to Premier League and World Cup Golden Gloves, but his performances for Real Madrid across the past 18 months have lent weight to the argument he is perhaps the best in his position.
⛔ @thibautcourtois said "no dice". ⛔#UCL pic.twitter.com/RKsYW0kmml
— Real Madrid C.F. ???????????????? (@realmadriden) April 19, 2023
Exceptional during Real Madrid’s run to La Liga and Champions League success last season, his man-of-the-match showing in the latter final win over Liverpool was one of the most memorable individual displays in a Champions League decider.
He has the personality and presence to handle the demands at world football’s most intense club, emerging as a leader of the Spaniard’s side under Carlo Ancelotti.
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