20 Best Goalkeepers in the World [Ranked]
· GiveMeSport
Ranking the world's greatest goalkeepers right now, including the likes of Alisson Becker, David Raya and Thibaut Courtois.
For a team to stand any chance of prolonged success, they need a reliable goalkeeper in between the sticks. There's a ceiling on the heights a team can reach if they aren't protected at the back by an elite shot-stopper.
Due to the advancement in modern-day football, goalkeepers have to be able to perform a variety of roles.
Firstly, they must be world-class shotstoppers, which is the bread and butter of being a 'keeper. This must lead to a trusted partnership with the defence.
Meanwhile, they are required to be capable of distributing the ball quickly and effectively. Manuel Neuer changed the future of goalkeeping when he acted as a sweeper-keeper - and now it is very common.
Finding an elite number one can be difficult, though, with there being a very select group of truly exceptional goalies in the world right now. Here are the very best around.
The factors taken into consideration are as follows:
Robin Roefs, the 23-year-old Dutch goalkeeper who joined Sunderland from NEC Nijmegen for £9 million last summer, emerged as a revelation in the Premier League during the 2025/26 season, anchoring the promoted Black Cats' surprisingly stout defence.
His reliability in between the sticks was pivotal in Sunderland's successful campaign, earning him consistent high ratings and positioning him as a cornerstone for their unlikely push up the English top-flight table.
Robin Roefs - 2026/27
- Appearances - 4 - Goals Conceded - 4 - Clean Sheets - 1
A goalkeeper who goes slightly under the radar, Marco Carnesecchi has been one of Serie A's most consistent performers in recent seasons. The 26-year-old has been linked with several top European clubs but looks set to spend another campaign at the Stadio di Bergamo.
Carnesecchi is yet to be capped by the Italian national team - mainly because he has Gianluigi Donnarumma in front of him - though he did appear 22 times for the Azzurri's Under-21s between 2019-2023.
Marco Carnesecchi - 2026/27
- Appearances - 6 - Goals Conceded - 5 - Clean Sheets - 3
Despite the best intentions of his father, who was a professional ice hockey forward, Gregor Kobel followed his dream of becoming a football goalkeeper. It may have "made no sense" to Kobel senior, but Borussia Dortmund will be mightily grateful that the towering Swiss custodian donned a pair of gloves rather than skates.
The 28-year-old shot-stopper prevented seven more goals than expected based on the shots he faced in his side's run to the Champions League final in the 2023/24 campaign - comfortably the highest tally of any goalkeeper in the competition - and his impressive form is now just part and parcel of his imperious quality three seasons on.
Gregor Kobel - 2026/27
- Appearances - 5 - Goals Conceded - 6 - Clean Sheets - 2
Yassine Bounou made history in July 2026 by becoming the first goalkeeper to save four World Cup penalties, including shootouts, when he saved Kylian Mbappe's spot-kick during Morocco's 2-0 defeat to France in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
Known simply as 'Bono', the 35-year-old, who was born in Canada and idolised Edwin van der Sar growing up, has spent most of his career in La Liga - turning out for Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Girona and Sevilla - but moved to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Yassine Bounou - 2026/27
- Appearances - 7 - Goals Conceded - 5 - Clean Sheets - 4
Manuel Neuer revolutionised the idea of a sweeper keeper in football, which – unsurprisingly – has made him one of the best keepers in the world for almost two decades and one of the best German footballers in any position. Despite his age (he turned 40 in March), he's still performing at a high level.
That said, the 2026 World Cup may have been one tournament too many for Neuer, whose best years are now firmly behind him. He's still an elite-level 'keeper, but retirement isn't too far off.
Manuel Neuer - 2026/27
- Appearances - 4 - Goals Conceded - 2 - Clean Sheets - 2
Matvey Safonov had a big job on his hands to oust Lucas Chevalier as the PSG number one, but that's exactly what he's done over the past 12 months. Gianluigi Donnarumma's presence between the sticks was a notable void to fill, but the Russian has stepped up in impressive fashion.
He's helped the French giants win another Ligue 1 title, keeping eight clean sheets in 15 games, while only conceding 14 goals. On top of that, he's helped his team win another Champions League. The Russian used an interesting kicking technique in the semis vs Bayern Munich, deliberately sending the ball out of play – but it was also part of a clever plan .
Matvey Safonov - 2026/27
- Appearances - 6 - Goals Conceded - 9 - Clean Sheets - 0
Roma’s undisputed No. 1, Mile Svilar is 27 years old now and has made huge waves in recent seasons. He's rapidly establishing himself as one of the best 'keepers in Europe.
The Serbia international, who represented Belgium at youth level, was named Serie A's best goalkeeper in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns. He's certainly come a long way since becoming the youngest player to score an own goal in the Champions League against Manchester United back in 2017.
Mile Svilar - 2026/27
- Appearances - 4 - Goals Conceded - 2 - Clean Sheets - 2
Upholding the long-standing tradition of excellent Basque goalkeepers, Unai Simon has been Spain's number one since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a modest stature in the lofty realm of 'keepers, Simon boasts sharp shot-stopping abilities, while his greatest strength lies with the ball at his feet.
Unexpectedly promoted from Athletic Club's fourth-choice all the way to the starting spot almost overnight following the sale of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Simon has emerged as a modern example of an ideal goalkeeper. The 29-year-old is not immune to errors – which player is? But he played a key role in Spain's triumphant Euro 2024 and 2026 World Cup campaigns atfer being selected ahead of David Raya by Luis de la Fuente.
Unai Simon - 2026/27
- Appearances - 5 - Goals Conceded - 6 - Clean Sheets - 2
After three successful years with Inter Milan, Yann Sommer has now moved on to Belgian side Club Brugge. The 37-year-old has been top class in recent seasons but is now slowly winding down his career.
Sommer helped Inter reach a second Champions League final in three years, conceding the fewest goals until a disastrous final saw them miss out on glory to PSG. He also won two Scudettos and the Coppa Italia with the Nerazzurri.
Yann Sommer - 2026/27
- Appearances - 7 - Goals Conceded - 6 - Clean Sheets - 4
Agile in the air and accurate with the ball at his feet, it's easy to see why Diogo Costa is among the rising stars of modern goalkeeping. Porto's number one – who dons the number 99 like his idol, Vitor Baia – has earned plenty of admirers from across the continent. He began the 2026-27 campaign with five clean sheets in his first five appearances.
Porto wisely tied Costa down to a contract which extends until 2030. The most recent example of his brilliance came is that no goalkeeper conceded fewer goals in Portugal last season than the nation's number one.
Diogo Costa - 2026/27
- Appearances - 8 - Goals Conceded - 0 - Clean Sheets - 9