Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas to Lev Yashin - 10 great soccer goalkeepers of all time

Was Gianluigi Buffon the greatest goalkeeper of all time? As he hangs his boot after an illustrious 23-year career, this question has propped up naturally. He announced his retirement Wednesday and rich tributes began flooding for one of the greatest goalkeepers. But was he the greatest?

Let’s have a look at some of the great goalkeepers.

Peter Shilton:

Peter Shilton was an exceptional goalkeeper, the last of the line of defense of Nottingham Forest, the club which won the European Championship in 1979 and 1980.

Edwin van der Sar

Edwin van der Sar defended the goalpost of Ajax, the club which won the Champions League in 1995. After he joined Manchester United, the club won the Champions League in 2008.

Iker Casillas

The exceptional goalkeeper was only 19 when Real Madrid won the Champions League in 2000. The Spaniard won the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper Award five times in a row from 2008 to 2012.

Peter Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel won 15 trophies for Old Trafford. He stunned the world in 1992 when he won European Champion in Sweden.

Gordon Banks

Praising Gordon Banks after one of his best saves, the all-time greatest footballer Pele said that he could not believe what he had seen. Banks was named FIFA Goalkeeper of the World six times from 1966 to 1971.

Sepp Maier

Sepp Maier was the greatest footballer of Germany, he won European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974. He also won European Cup three times in a row from 1974 to 1976.

Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer is considered the best exponent of the sweeper-keepers. He won the World Cup in 2014.

Dino Zoff

When Dino Zoff won the World Cup for Italy in 1982, he was 40. He also lifted European Championship in 1968 and six Series A titles for Juventus.

Lev Yashin

Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win Ballon d’Or. The IFFHS named him the goalkeeper of the 20th Century.

Gianluigi Buffon

When Italy won the World Cup in 2006 Gianluigi Buffon was the goalkeeper and he conceded one goal from penalty besides an own goal. The Champions League is the only major trophy has not included in his CV.

FAQs:

Q1. Who is the only goalkeeper to win Ballon d’Or?
A1. Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win Ballon d’Or. The IFFHS named him the goalkeeper of the 20th Century.

Q2. Why is Gianluigi Buffon considered the best goalkeeper of all time?
A2. When Italy won the World Cup in 2006 Gianluigi Buffon was the goalkeeper and he conceded one goal from penalty besides an own goal. The Champions League is the only major trophy has not included in his CV.