In this article, we will discuss the best goalkeepers in football history.
Oftentimes, in football, the star players are the strikers and the midfielders. Attacking forwards are the most celebrated and most well-paid players in the world, and midfielders are often the most respected playmakers and leaders. And while the positions are certainly important, they can often overshadow the importance of a good defense.
Defending players are just as important to the game as the attackers are. And of course, the last line of defense is the goalkeeper. There have been plenty of incredible goalies in football history, many of whom have stopped some impossible shots. In this article, we would like to explore who some of the best goalies in the history of the game are.
Best Goalkeepers in Football History
Lev Yashin
Nicknamed the Black Spider, Lev Yashin is one of Russia’s most notable players and is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in football history. The Black Spider nickname came from his acrobatic reflexes, incredible flexibility, and long limbs, which contributed to him stopping some incredibly difficult shots.
Lev Yashin was a star in four World Cups. The FIFA World Cup, remains, to this day, the most popular sports competition in the world. Betting sites like the ones found on this page still cover the tournament extensively every four years. Fans flock to the games, placing bets, cheering their national team, and having a good time.
With so many great players in one place, there is a lot to be said about Yashin stealing the show in four different events. The goalie’s career was so incredible, that he was selected for the 2002 World Cup History Dream Team. Certainly, the man has earned the title of the greatest goalie in history.
Iker Casillas Fernandez
Iker Casillas Fernandez, or San Iker as he was known in his time as a player, served as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid and Porto, as well as for Spain’s national football team. What earns San Iker (Saint Iker) a spot on the list of greatest is his incredible courage, outstanding shot-stopping ability, and reflexes that put him on par with the best in history.
Many mistake Iker’s reserved personality off the court for a timid playstyle. However, it is quite the opposite. When defending, Casillas is calm, composed, and capable of stopping some incredible shots. During his time as a player, he was especially known for his penalty shot-stopping capabilities. There is no doubt that he is one of the greatest of all time.
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon is the current record-holder for the highest fee paid for a goalkeeper. In 2001, Juventus paid 52 million Euros to acquire him from Parma. The man spent 17 years playing for Juventus, before his return to the Serie B club. He also played for the Italian national team, though he retired from international play in 2018.
Like all of the best goalkeepers, Gianlugi has shown incredibly acrobatic ability, an imposing physique, and spectacular reflexes, which have yet to vein. Like Yashin, Buffon is incredibly courageous, diving for the ball despite the risk of injury. His bravery, athleticism, and incredible football IQ have earned him a mention among the greatest goalies in football history.
Petr Cech
From the Czech Republic, we have Petr Cech, who many believe is one of the best goalies that the Premier League has ever seen. Cech began his career playing for Czech clubs, such as Sparta Prague.
However, he became famous worldwide when the French club Rennes discovered him. After just over a year, Cech was already in high demand, having been awarded a “man of the match” title during his very first season for Rennes.
In 2004, Chelsea acquired the player, and Petr Cech soon became one of the most noteworthy goalies in the English Premier League. He won the golden glove award and was on the team that scored two, back-to-back Premier League titles. Despite sustaining a pretty severe head injury, Cech returned to Chelsea and continued his streak of excellent play.
Tall, athletic, incredibly courageous, and most importantly, consistent, Petr Cech has all of the excellent qualities one would expect of a goalkeeper. His excellent football IQ and vision contribute to his ability to place himself in just the right spot to protect the goal. Not just that, they also contribute greatly to his abilities as a playmaker and leader.
He does lack certain ball-handling abilities that new goalkeepers strive for. However, despite that, he remains one of the most well-regarded and beloved goalies of all time. And certainly one of the best.
Conclusion
The goalkeeper role is one of football’s most important. They are the last line of defense, and goalies require tremendous courage and skill to place themselves in front of a speeding ball. In this article, we have brought up five of the greatest goalkeepers in history. However, they are far from the only ones worth celebrating.
This was for Best Goalkeepers in Football History.
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