The term ‘shot-stopper’ almost becomes more null and void with every passing year, for a goalkeeper is far more than that these days. They are the beginning of every manager’s system, the first pass to break a press, they get their side up the pitch, they sweep their area.
What began with Manuel Neuer has progressed into what is the expectancy of every modern-day ‘shot-stopper’. And that has seen a fresh batch of stars emerge to create history and spark the endless debate as to who takes the crown as the world’s best. Using stats such as saves per 90, save percentage, clean sheets and pass accuracy, we’ve determined our number one.
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ByCharlie SmithOct 29, 2024 7 Unai Simon Athletic Bilbao & Spain
Speaking of international heroics, Unai Simon more than played his part as Spain battled to victory at Euro 2024 in Berlin, eventually overcoming England in dramatic fashion late on.
Finishing second in the Yashin Trophy as a result, the Athletic Bilbao man kept a total of three clean sheets at the tournament – only second to France’s Mike Maignan.
Now battling for a place in Europe with Athletic Bilbao alongside fellow Spain star Nico Williams, Simon should be on the radar of several top clubs when the January transfer window arrives next summer.
He proved that he can perform on the biggest stage last summer and is only likely to prove it once again with a big move.
Saves per 90
2.54
Save percentage
73.8%
Clean sheets
16
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
32.4%
6 Jan Oblak Atletico Madrid & Slovenia
Jan Oblak may not be at the peak of his powers as consistently now that he’s 31 years old, but he remains one of the world’s best and Diego Simeone’s undisputed No 1. When he decides to hang his gloves up, La Liga will be left with a sensational highlight reel of incredible saves. At his best, the Slovenian has been almost impenetrable at times in Madrid.
With a few years to go yet, there’s no doubt that Oblak will continue to produce the impossible when Atletico Madrid and Simeone need him most, having already kept seven clean sheets in La Liga by mid-November.
Saves per 90
2.75
Save percentage
73.8%
Clean sheets
19
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
34.6%
5 David Raya Arsenal & Spain
Ahead of his Spanish counterpart Simon for once, David Raya’s recent rise has helped to form one of the Premier League’s most impressive backlines at Arsenal.
Behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, last season’s Golden Glove winner remains a crucial figure on and off the ball as a classic example of the modern goalkeeper that Mikel Arteta wanted ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.
Of course, it remains a mystery as to why Simon is often preferred to Raya on international duty, but credit deserves to go to both shot-stoppers for creating such competition.
At 29 years old, however, Raya should be desperate to move Simon aside in a similar fashion to how he dislodged Ramsdale at Arsenal in order to become the undisputed No 1 for Spain ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Saves per 90
2.25
Save percentage
68.7%
Clean sheets
19
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
37.1%
4 Ederson Manchester City & Brazil
Into the top four, this ranking could quite easily be Manchester City’s penalty order, which in many ways sums up just how unique Ederson is. The pure definition of a modern goalkeeper, the Citizens’ No 1 has the flair of a Brazilian forward and the passing range of an NFL quarterback, all whilst maintaining his shot-stopping standards.
The most composed player on the pitch even as several hearts skip a beat, Ederson is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers to ever step foot in the Premier League and arguably the best in Manchester City’s history with countless honours to his name.
Saves per 90
2
Save percentage
67.8%
Clean sheets
12
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
46.5%
3 Mike Maignan Milan & France
Spearheading Milan’s return to the top of Italian football in the 2021/22 campaign before becoming France’s No 1 and winning the Golden Glove at Euro 2024, Maignan’s place among the world’s best goalkeepers is no longer a debate. In fact, it could even be argued that he should be higher on the list. For now, however, the Frenchman sits third here – and respectably behind some elite shot-stoppers.
He simply ticks every box for a modern goalkeeper and has shown that on the biggest stage. There’s not many sides in Europe’s top five leagues who wouldn’t take the 29-year-old as their No 1, including those at the very top.
Saves per 90
2.67
Save percentage
70%
Clean sheets
14
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
40.3%
2 Thibaut Courtois Real Madrid & Belgium
From his Atletico Madrid days to winning the Premier League at Chelsea and now starring at Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois has been around for the last decade and has probably never dipped outside the top 10 goalkeepers in world football. He’s simply been that consistent and that much of a standout.
On the big stage, he’s among the players that most clubs would pick between the sticks on the shot-stopping front. It’s no surprise that even Real Madrid, with all the stars that they have, are struggling in the Belgian’s recent absence as of late.
What summed up his quality more than ever last season, however, was how he slotted straight into the Champions League final on his return from a long-term injury and didn’t miss a beat.
Saves per 90
2.96
Save percentage
77.1%
Clean sheets
16
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
37.7%
1 Alisson Liverpool & Brazil
Whilst Real Madrid were quick to suggest that Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win over Vinicius Junior was the most controversial moment of the ceremony, Alisson has quite the case for himself after failing to even make the rankings for the Yashin Trophy.
Top of our rankings nonetheless (in what is of course the ultimate consolation), the Liverpool star has arguably been the world’s best goalkeeper for a number of years.
One of the all-time Premier League greats, what makes Alisson stand out is how he simply does not perform for the cameras. The Brazilian excels at making even the most ferocious strikes seem routine, and perhaps those who decide the Yashin Trophy were simply looking for picture-perfect rather than efficient.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will ignore any such award and settle for a goalkeeper who has been at the centre of some of their most historic moments in recent memory.
Saves per 90
2.7
Save percentage
75.4%
Clean sheets
11
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)
31.8%