Keeping clean sheets and making some of the biggest saves are some of the criteria used to rate the best goalkeepers in the world. But who is the current No. 1 goalkeeper? 

Over the past decades, we’ve had the opportunity to watch some of the most outstanding goalies, from iconic names like Edwin van der Sar, Oliver Kahn, and Iker Casillas to Lev Yashin.

However, modern football has ushered in some of the most talented players who have made a name for themselves on the biggest stage.

Interesting Football brings you the best goalkeepers in the world right now.

20. Jordan Pickford

Best Long Passes – Goalkeepers (40yards and over)
Top 6 Leagues

🇩🇪Manuel Riemann – 449
🇪🇸David Soria – 296
🇪🇸David Raya – 287
🇮🇹Lorenzo Montipò – 264
🇳🇱Nick Olij – 258
🇷🇸Predrag Rajković – 244
🇳🇱Mark Flekken – 221
🇭🇷Ivor Pandur – 221
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Jordan Pickford – 211 pic.twitter.com/HhWZdLyZAv

— António Mango (@AntonioMango4) April 22, 2023

Jordan Pickford played a key role in Everton’s survival last season. He was voted as one of the best in the Premier League.

This season has been unimpressive. However, the English goalkeeper has made some significant saves to keep the Toffees in a solid position to retain their top-flight status.

19. Peter Gulacsi

Peter Gulacsi has been in goal for RB Leipzig since he arrived at the club in 2015. He’s been among the best, especially in the 2021–22 DFB-Pokal triumph.

Although he conceded seven goals against Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16, statistics show he is one of the best in the Bundesliga.

Leipzig is in contention for a place in the Champions League next season, and the Hungarian goalkeeper has been crucial in the team’s efforts.

Read: The best wingers in the world

18. Keylor Navas

Keylor Navas made five saves vs. Manchester United, the joint most he has made in a Premier League game for Nottingham Forest.

Based on the quality of the shots he faced, he prevented 1.82 goals today, making some crucial stops to keep the score down.🧤 pic.twitter.com/CyTP4WthpY

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 16, 2023

Keylor Navas is one of the biggest names in football in the last decade. The Costa Rican has triumphed in the fields of Europe, with Real Madrid winning three Champions League titles.

He moved to Paris Saint-Germain and became the first choice. He was outstanding but soon faced tough competition from Gianluigi Donnarumma and resorted to Nottingham Forest on loan to gain regular minutes.

Navas has been outstanding as Nottingham Forest looks to preserve their Premier League status.

17. David de Gea

Although he has been criticized for some costly mistakes in some cases, he remains one of Europe’s top-level goalkeepers.

David De Gea has held the number one spot at Man United for a while and successfully earned his place despite changes in the team.

One of the biggest shocks was his omission from the World Cup roster in the Spanish Men’s National team.

Read: Top 10 Best goalkeepers in the Premier League

16. Gregor Kobel

Gregor Kobel’s rise to be considered one of the best in Europe continues to amaze Bundesliga fans.

The 25-year-old Swiss goalkeeper moved to Signal Iduna Park in 2021 and has since established himself as the most preferred goal.

Borussia Dortmund go toe to toe with Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title after their exit from the Champions League. The Swiss international would be crucial for the team.

15. Alex Meret

Comprenez vous qu'Alex Meret ne fasse pas l'unanimité ? pic.twitter.com/AU6udsqfxj

— SSC Napoli France (@NapoliCFrance) April 16, 2023

Luciano Spalletti Napoli’s side has been high-flying since the start of the Serie A season, with much credit to Alex Meret. The Italian is only behind Andre Onana as the goalkeeper with the most saves in the league.

Meret has been solid in goal for the Partenopei, who are on their way to lifting the Serie A title after thirty years.

Read: The most Expensive Football Boots in the world

14. Unai Simon

Unai Simon is the undisputed number-one goalkeeper of the Spanish Men’s National team. He earned his place in the first team at the World Cup in Qatar.

The 25-year-old plays for Athletic Club Bilbao in Spanish La Liga and has been in the first team of the Red and Whites since he was promoted from the reserves in 2018.

13. Jan Oblak

Jan Oblak appreciation tweet. pic.twitter.com/Kwm05PTMS6

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 13, 2023

Jan Oblak has been a long-standing player at Atlético Madrid. The Slovenian has played a significant role in the team after almost a decade at the club.

The Rojiblancos had a poor outing in the Champions League and a slow start in the La Liga. However, the 30-year-old has influenced the team’s revival and the quest to return to the top level.

Read: The Best Midfielders in the world

12. Mike Maignan

Arguably one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, Mike Maignan is slowly cementing his position as the number one spot in the French men’s football team. The AC Milan player is known for making outstanding saves and keeping clean sheets.

11. Yassine Bounou

3 – Sevilla's Yassine Bounou is the goalkeeper has provided the most assists in LaLiga in the 21st Century alongside Dudu Aouate (3). Figure. pic.twitter.com/1FKzU4KSDD

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 27, 2022

It would not be easy to forget his role that helped the Atlas Lions of Morocco finish fourth in the Winter World Cup in Qatar. The Sevilla goalkeeper won the Zamora Trophy at the end of the 2021–22.

10. Emiliano Martínez

Emi Martinez deserves a place in the elite goalkeepers around. He was arguably one of the most influential players during the last World Cup in Qatar.

He (Martinez) was handed The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper and FIFA World Cup Golden Glove to mark his contributions to his team’s final triumph.

Back to the main discussion, Emi switched to Villa Park after he was not guaranteed a place to start at Arsenal. He has been considered reasonable in the league for his new club, despite question marks on his inclusion as one of the best.

Read: Top 10 best young goalkeepers in the world

9. Andre Onana

André Onana in the Champions League this season:

▪️ Most saves (40)
▪️ Most clean sheets (6)

😤 pic.twitter.com/vJ9uMOrH1r

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 20, 2023

Inter Milan are flying high in the Champions League with much credit to some of the most outstanding saves by the young goalkeeper. The Nerazzurri advanced to the semi-finals.

Inter could be struggling to make the top four in the Italian Serie A, but the Cameroonian has produced some of the most saves in the league.

The club’s top hierarchy thought it was to make a decisive move in the hunt for a new goalie to replace veteran Samir Handanović who has spent over a decade at the club.

Onana has been thriving, and his inclusion on the list of best goalkeepers in football wouldn’t be a wrong idea.

8. Gianluigi Donnarumma

PSG did not perform as expected in the Champions League following their elimination from the round of 16. But Donnarumma has been a great addition at the back.

The former AC Milan goalie has established himself as one of Europe’s top-rated goalkeepers due to his shot-stopping abilities.

In the French Ligue 1, he has made some of the best saves, even though some would have believed PSG’s defense would be impenetrable due to the presence of high-profile players at the back.

Read: The best defenders in the world 

7. Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer is no introduction to European football. The German has been part of Bayern Munich for more than a decade.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. However, injuries lately have hampered his place in the team.

6. Yann Sommer

Yann Sommer is known for his outstanding saves at Borussia Monchengladbach and his influence in the team since 2014 before his eventual move to Bayern Munich in 2022.

Bayern’s top hierarchy sees the Swiss as a top goalkeeper to play alongside Manuel Neuer. He is currently enjoying life at Allianz Arena.

5. Ederson

📊 Highest Save Percentage in 2022/23 #UCL:

1. Ederson Moraes 85%
2. Thibaut Courtois 84.6%
3. Mike Maignan 84% pic.twitter.com/uou4i2Rv8s

— City Chief (@City_Chief) April 19, 2023

The No. 1 spot at City is Perhaps one of the most heavily contested in Europe. However, Ederson has turned his position to be one of the most influential at the club.

I would recall the ball clearance he made when Diogo Jota charged at him in April 2022. It was an incredible moment to see the Brazilian make a nerve-shredding goal-line clearance comfortably.

That said, Ederson has consistently ranked among the top shot-stoppers in the Premier League and has rarely shown to be unreliable in the Man City set up.

4. Nick Pope

There’s a reason why Newcastle United conceded the least goals in the Premier League, not because of the defensive partnership between Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, and Kieran Trippier, but the brilliance of Nick Pope.

So far, Nick Pope has been one of the best goalkeepers in the English Premier League. His performance earned him a place at the finals in Qatar last summer.

The Newcastle United goalie has proven to be a good shot-stopper, making decisive passes and perfectly detecting where his teammates are before crossing into the opponent’s half.

3. Marc-André ter Stegen

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could become the Barça goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in a La Liga season tonight! 🔵🔴🧤

He is currently level with Claudio Bravo’s tally (23) from the 2014/15 season. 🔥🌟 pic.twitter.com/U9VGXxdjnk

— 𝚄𝙶𝙾𝙲𝙷𝚄𝙺𝚆𝚄⚡️ (@UgoOsinobi) April 26, 2023

One of the main pillars of Xavi Hernandez’s newly built Barcelona team is Marc-André ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper has been at Camp Nou since 2014 and keeps improving.

He is known for his passing, ball-playing, and ball control in the most crucial moments.

Statistics show Barcelona has one of the best defences in La Liga, reflecting their position at the top of the table.

2. Thibaut Courtois

It would be tough to leave out the Belgian in the top spot. He has been magnificent for Los Blancos since his arrival in the summer of 2018.

Thibaut Courtois has filled the void left by club legend Iker Casillas with his world-class shot-stopping and passing abilities.

Perhaps being named the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper and FIFA FIFPRO World 11 clarifies his position as one of the best goalies currently.

He has been crucial for the Los Blancos in their champions league campaign.

Read: Top 10 Best right backs in the World

1. Alisson Becker

It really is nice to have the most complete GK in world football.

Alisson Becker appreciation tweet ❤️ #LFC pic.twitter.com/e2T1jXBIIT

— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) April 20, 2023

One good aspect of the veteran is his consistent and regular putting on a good shift when it matters. It is true Liverpool has endured a troubled season which sees them miles away from European places.

Despite the team’s struggles, the Brazilian has maintained his level and is one of the best players on the team.

Alison is world-class as he has continued to thrive in areas such as passing, shot-stopping, attacking moves, and a high rate of success in one on one duels.