Ranked! The 10 best goalkeepers in the world right now

What attributes do the best goalkeepers in the world have? The role of a keeper ain't what is used to be, with No.1s required to start moves as well as provide the last line of defence in the modern game. 

It's often said that having a reliable man between the sticks will win you several points every season, and the following players are good examples of just that. We've ranked our goalkeepers by their all-round game as much as anything else, paying attention to the stats while balancing how good they can be in the biggest moments.

We've left out long-term absentees who simply can't be judged while they're injured, taking in the all-important stats alongside the eye test. This is who we've gone with…

The best goalkeepers in the world right now, ranked: 10. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain already had a top keeper in Keylor Navas and a decent backup in Alphonse Areola. Gianluigi Donnarumma was always going to establish himself as the next big superstar of the club, though, to oust them both.

Considering the ever-changing cast in front of him and the lack of press, the giant Italian has had a lot of work to do since moving to France – and he now has the reputation of being one of Europe's finest. Although Gigi sometimes struggles with his feet, he commands his box well and he's an excellent shot-stopper when called upon: he's already a European champion at international level, too. All before the age of 25 – his career's only heading in one direction. 

9. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

Despite a few shaky moments this season, Jan Oblak remains one of the world's best goalkeepers. He's now approaching a full decade as Atletico Madrid's undisputed number one, with more than 400 appearances under his belt in all competitions.

Oblak has been the bedrock for the club's success under Diego Simeone, being perfectly suited to a dogged team that often sits deep and invites pressure. The Slovenian international is a strong, physical presence with excellent reflexes. His communication skills and reading of the game help him organise one of Europe's meanest defences.

8. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Back from his skiing injury, Manuel Neuer is re-established as club and country's No.1 like he was never missing in the first place. 

It's no secret that the ageing German is not the same keeper he was when he was sat on the Ballon d'Or podium but Father Time has seen to that more than poor form. Neuer is arguably the best goalkeeper of all time, certainly one of the most influential in the modern age and though he turns 38 in 2024, he's still more than capable of keeping net for a side chasing domestic and European glory.

7. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Over a 38-game season, there may be lapses in judgment that separate him from the elite. But as a big-game player, there may be no better goalkeeper on Earth than Emi Martinez.

Statistically, the Argentine doesn't stand out – though he does catch the second-most crosses in Europe's top five leagues, to highlight his dominance of a risky situation. But the big-game personality is what we love him for: we first saw it during Arsenal's 2020 FA Cup win, before Martinez became a national hero back home in Argentina. 

He established himself on the global stage with Copa America success before he won the Best Goalkeeper award in Qatar at the World Cup. Aston Villa's number one consistently shines under the spotlight.

6. Lukas Hradecky (Bayer Leverkusen)

There's nothing flashy about Lukas Hradecky, who has quietly been one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga since joining Eintracht Frankfurt in 2015. Three years later, he moved on to Bayer Leverkusen and has become a reliable stalwart for the club. Focused and level-headed.

Under Xabi Alonso's guidance, unbeaten Leverkusen are on course to win the title ahead of perennial favourites Bayern Munich. They've scored goals for fun while impressively keeping them out at the other end, with just 14 conceded in their first 18 games.

Hradecky, an experienced Finnish international, has made an outstanding contribution to Leverkusen's success. No goalkeeper in the German top flight has a higher save percentage, more clean sheets, or fewer goals conceded. If they manage to pull this off, their captain's unflappable performances will be key.

5. Guglielmo Vicario

Stepping into the boots of Hugo Lloris was no easy task. With the club legend, World Cup-winning captain and fan favourite looking a little long in the tooth last season though, it was time for a new king between the sticks – and some Spurs fans didn't know what to expect from a 27-year-old Serie A journeyman. 

Vicario has been nothing short of exceptional. Arguably the best signing of the season, he's been an insanely good shot-stopper – a pleasant surprise for those who thought he was signed for his ability in possession (which is pretty damn good 'n' all).  He's perhaps not even hit his peak yet, either. 

4. Mike Maignan (AC Milan)

When Donnarumma left AC Milan, fans would have been forgiven for worrying what the future held. Somehow, they managed to upgrade on the outgoing academy product.

Maignan has since deposed Hugo Lloris from Les Bleus, won a first Scudetto in a decade for the Rossoneri and has been a titan in the San Siro net. His reflexes are excellent, his command of his box is great – but his work on the ground is top-notch, too. The Frenchman has the most passes attempted per 90 in the first four games of the new season.

At 28, he's approaching his prime and might yet get even better. How did PSG let him slip through the net, to pardon the pun?

3. Ederson

Ederson is arguably the most influential goalkeeper in the Premier League since Petr Cech. Ball-playing keepers were viewed with bemusement, much less suspicion, when Pep Guardiola brought in Claudio Bravo – but though it took his second attempt to really nail the role, it's safe to say Ederson has been worth it. 

There will always be those will never really rate the Brazilian too highly – and it's fair enough, in some respects. A good shot-stopper, Manchester City's No.1 is there primarily for his work on the ball – but to give credit where it's due, he's always been consistent. Ederson has never felt like a weak link, excelling whenever called upon for City, while winning the last three Premier League Golden Gloves.

And that ability with his feet only elevates him higher up this list. He's utterly superb as a footballer, let alone a goalkeeper. 

2. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has taken his game to new heights in the last 12 months – which is something, considering he doesn't harbour much of an interest in the sport that's made him a superstar.

The German conceded just 20 goals in the whole of last season, which is frankly staggering – and Barcelona were on course to beat Petr Cech's 2005 record of 15 at one stage, with MATS only letting in 13 in his first 33 games, before Barça won the title and relaxed a little. The Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed numbers are amazing: he saved nearly nine whole goals more than he should have.

Far more than just precise with his stops, Ter Stegen completed 50 per cent of his passes over 40 yards, too – the second-best in Europe. He's been missing with a back injury in recent months but is set to return soon, which is great news for Barcelona and Germany.

1. Alisson

Alisson was seen as many as a goalkeeper who would help Liverpool play out from the back, with excellent passing range – and the Reds' forwards can testify to that, judging by how many goals their goalkeeper has started the attacking move of. 

If goalkeeping can be roughly split into the possession-based and the shot-stopping, however, Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world in terms of both. World-class when one-on-one and with his side struggling in midtable at times last season, Alisson was every bit the traditional shot-stopping life-saver: he saved 10 whole goals more than he should have. That's simply superhuman. You only have to look at his otherworldly stop from Miguel Almiron before the international break, which Eddie Howe described as "the best I've ever seen". 

His sweeping is nothing short of unbelievable, too, with the Brazilian second in Europe for Defensive Actions outside the Penalty Area per 90. He makes the sixth-most passes of anyone in Europe, too. He's a phenomenon: it doesn't bear thinking where Liverpool would have been without him at times last term. 

More lists

We have lists of the best players in every position in the world right now.

These are the best goalkeeepers on Earth at current, while in defence, these are the best right-backs in the world, the best left-backs in the world and the best centre-backs in the world.

There are all kinds of midfielders – these are the best defensive midfielders in the world, these are the best central midfielders in the world and these are the best attacking midfielders in the world. 

We also have lists of forwards, including the best right-wingers in the world, the best left-wingers in the world and the best strikers in the world.