The 2024/25 football season brings a fresh wave of talent between the posts, with goalkeepers proving their value as the backbone of top teams. These elite shot-stoppers are redefining what it takes to be the best, combining incredible reflexes, commanding presence, and tactical awareness to keep their teams in the game. From seasoned veterans with years of experience to young rising stars, the best goalkeepers in the world continue to deliver jaw-dropping performances. In this blog, we’ll highlight the top goalkeepers of the season, examining their skills, stats, and the impact they have on world football.
10 Best Goalkeeper in the World 2024
10. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
- Full name: Jan Oblak
- Date of birth: 7 January 1993
- Place of birth: Škofja Loka, Slovenia
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Number: 13
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2009–2010 | Olimpija Ljubljana |
| 2010–2014 | Benfica |
| 2010 | Beira-Mar (loan) |
| 2011 | Olhanense (loan) |
| 2011–2012 | União de Leiria (loan) |
| 2012–2013 | Rio Ave (loan) |
| 2013 | Benfica B |
| 2014– | Atlético Madrid |
Jan Oblak’s 2023/24 season was solid, with the Atlético Madrid goalkeeper recording 6 clean sheets in 12 La Liga appearances. Despite facing some challenges in defense, Oblak remained a key figure for Atlético, making crucial saves, and his consistency continued to ensure a steady foundation at the back. His performances, however, were not enough to secure silverware for the team.
9. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
- Full name: Manuel Peter Neuer
- Date of birth: 27 March 1986
- Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, West Germany
- Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
- Number: 1
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2004–2006 | Schalke 04 II |
| 2005–2011 | Schalke 04 |
| 2011– | Bayern Munich |
On our Best GK in the world list, Ranked 9 is Manuel Neuer. He has faced a challenging 2023/24 season after recovering from a serious leg injury, sustained during a ski accident in December 2022. His recovery kept him out for much of the previous campaign, but he made a successful return in October 2023. Despite his absence, Neuer worked hard to regain form, showing his class with crucial saves and leadership upon his comeback.
8. Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
- Full name: Unai Simón Mendibil
- Date of birth: 11 June 1997
- Place of birth: Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
- Number: 1
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2014–2016 | Basconia |
| 2016–2018 | Athletic Bilbao B |
| 2018– | Athletic Bilbao |
Unai Simón enjoyed a standout season with Athletic Club, earning the prestigious Zamora Trophy for the lowest goals-per-game ratio in La Liga. Across 36 matches, he kept 17 clean sheets and conceded just 33 goals, with a 74.6% save rate.
His consistent performances helped Athletic secure a respectable finish, further solidifying his status as one of Spain’s top goalkeepers.
7. Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
- Full name: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Date of birth: 25 February 1999
- Place of birth: Castellammare di Stabia, Italy
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
- Number: 1
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2015–2021 | AC Milan |
| 2021– | Paris Saint-Germain |
Gianluigi Donnarumma solidified his role as PSG’s first-choice goalkeeper, delivering 11 clean sheets in Ligue 1 and showcasing leadership as a vice-captain. His performances were strong domestically, though he faced criticism for errors in key Champions League matches.
Gianluigi Donnarumma helped PSG secure the Ligue 1 title, adding another domestic trophy to his growing career achievements.
6. Mike Maignan (Milan)
- Full name: Mike Peterson Maignan
- Date of birth: 3 July 1995
- Place of birth: Cayenne, French Guiana
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
- Number: 16
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2012–2015 | Paris Saint-Germain B |
| 2015–2017 | Lille II |
| 2015–2021 | Lille |
| 2021– | AC Milan |
Mike Maignan endured a challenging 2023/24 season with AC Milan, marked by inconsistent form and injuries. Despite this, he displayed leadership and resilience, helping stabilize Milan’s defense. He also shone for France, earning recognition with the Euro 2024 award for the most clean sheets (4). Maignan remains integral to both club and country as he seeks to recapture peak form.
5. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- Full name: Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero
- Date of birth: 2 September 1992
- Place of birth: Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m)
- Number: 23
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2012–2020 | Arsenal |
| 2012 | Oxford United (loan) |
| 2013–2014 | Sheffield Wednesday (loan) |
| 2015 | Rotherham United (loan) |
| 2015–2016 | Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) |
| 2017–2018 | Getafe (loan) |
| 2019 | Reading (loan) |
| 2020– | Aston Villa |
Emiliano Martínez had an exceptional 2023/24 season, earning the Yachine Trophy as the world’s best goalkeeper for the second consecutive year. With Aston Villa, he secured a top-six Premier League finish and played a key role in their Europa Conference League campaign.
His consistent performances also helped Argentina defend their Copa América title, solidifying his reputation as a top goalkeeper. Martínez won the 2023 Copa América with Argentina.
4. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
- Full name: Thibaut Nicolas Marc Courtois
- Date of birth: 11 May 1992
- Place of birth: Bree, Belgium
- Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.00 m)
- Number: 1
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2009–2011 | Genk |
| 2011–2018 | Chelsea |
| 2011–2014 | Atlético Madrid (loan) |
| 2018– | Real Madrid |
Thibaut Courtois had an unfortunate 2023/24 season as he suffered a torn ACL during preseason training, sidelining him for the entire campaign. A subsequent meniscus injury further delayed any potential return. His absence was a significant blow to Real Madrid, which relied on Andriy Lunin as his replacement throughout the season.
Real Madrid won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup without Courtois due to his injury.
3. David Raya (Arsenal)
- Full name: David Raya Martín
- Date of birth: 15 September 1995
- Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
- Number: 22
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2014–2019 | Blackburn Rovers |
| 2014–2015 | Southport (loan) |
| 2019–2024 | Brentford |
| 2023–2024 | Arsenal (loan) |
| 2024– | Arsenal |
David Raya had an exceptional 2023/24 season with Arsenal. Cementing himself as their first-choice goalkeeper, he kept 16 Premier League clean sheets, earning the Golden Glove award. Raya’s consistency and sharp reflexes helped Arsenal contend fiercely in the league, with key contributions in their defensive setup across domestic and European competitions.
2. Ederson (Manchester City)
- Full name: Ederson Santana de Moraes
- Date of birth: 17 August 1993
- Place of birth: Osasco, Brazil
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
-
Number: 31
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | Ribeirão |
| 2012–2015 | Rio Ave |
| 2015–2017 | Benfica B |
| 2015–2017 | Benfica |
| 2017– | Manchester City |
Ederson had another stellar season with Manchester City, playing a crucial role in their successful title defense in the Premier League. Known for his impeccable passing and reflex saves, he contributed significantly to City’s triumphs in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite some injuries, Ederson’s consistency and composure were vital in key moments throughout the season.
1. Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
- Full name: Álisson Ramsés Becker
- Date of birth: 2 October 1992
- Place of birth: Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
- Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
-
Number: 1
Clubs Played For:
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | Internacional |
| 2016–2018 | Roma |
| 2018– | Liverpool |
On 1st rank of our best goalkeepers in the world list is Liverpool GK Alisson Becker. He had an exceptional season in 2023/24, remaining a crucial presence for Liverpool despite facing injuries. He finished with the highest save percentage in the Premier League (73.5%) and made numerous match-defining saves.
However, injuries and a few mistakes, including a miscommunication with Virgil van Dijk, marred an otherwise stellar campaign.
As for trophies, Alisson won no major titles during the 2023/24 season, as Liverpool fell short in their pursuits.
Also Read:
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