The best goalkeepers in the world used to be simple to define – but the position has evolved so much in the last decade or so.
With Euro 2024 upon us, we at FourFourTwo have compiled our list of the top custodians on Planet Earth, taking into account their current ability, form over the last year and historic stature. Our team of experts have aggregated the best keepers by analysing statistics and using the eye test to come up with a definitive list of the best 10 in the world.
Argue among yourselves and tweet us @FourFourTwo – we also have lists of the best players in every position in the world right now.
These are the best goalkeepers on Earth at current, while in defence, we've ranked 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 – and we've sifted through 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.
The best goalkeepers in the world right now, ranked
10. Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia and Georgia)
Goalkeepers generally peak in their early 30s, so it's scary to think just how good Mamardashvili could become when considering he's still a decade away from hitting that point in his career. While physically imposing and standing at 6ft 6in tall, Valencia goalkeeper is not only extremely adept at claiming high balls in his box and demanding the penalty area, but also at reaching low balls that are generally more difficult for taller goalkeepers.
Euro 2024 proved Mamardashvili's breakthrough into the mainstream footballing discourse, however, with performances between the sticks for Georgia helping the minnows to reach the knockout stages. A move to one of Europe's giants seems only a matter of time for the highly-rated and extremely talented individual.
9. Yann Sommer (Inter Milan and Switzerland)
The veteran Swiss stopper returned to form this season, as he put a tricky spell at Bayern Munich behind him by signing for Inter Milan last summer and helping the Nerazzurri cruise to the Serie A title.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach man is currently preparing for his sixth major international tournament with Switzerland and has been a model of consistency for his country.
8. Emi Martinez (Aston Villa and Argentina)
To say the Aston Villa and Argentina stopper is something of a big personality is perhaps an understatement, but the 31-year-old’s talent is not up for debate.
The former Arsenal youngster has been on something of a victory lap since his penalty shootout saves helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup, playing a key part in Aston Villa’s run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals and in their top four Premier League finish this season.
7. Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid and Slovenia)
The Atletico Madrid keeper has consistently been one of the best players in his position over the past decade. With prototypical size and strength, Oblak’s agility and speed have seen him play a key part in Atletico’s success under Diego Simeone.
The 31-year-old also brings immense leadership skills to the table, something that he will finally get to show on the international stage this summer, when he captains Slovenia at Euro 2024, after they earned a place in the tournament for the first time since 2000.
6. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Italy)
The 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper will head to Euro 2024 as Italy’s undisputed number one, but this summer’s tournament comes at the end of an indifferent season.
A number of individual errors and question marks over the former Milan star’s ability on the ball have seen plenty of criticism levelled his way. However, Donnarumma remains an elite shot-stopper, fresh off the back of another PSG title, and will be hoping to rediscover the kind of form that saw him named as UEFA’s Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020, after he sealed Italy’s victory with two saves in the penalty shootout win over England in the final.
5. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich and Germany)
Viewed by many as the world’s best goalkeeper for a large swathe of his career, Neuer brought the ‘sweeper-keeper’ style into the mainstream and has been one of the most influential players in his position.
He broke a leg skiing after the 2022 World Cup and did not play for 12 months, but is hoping that his return to action with Bayern Munich this season will ensure that Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will call on his experience and leadership skills at Euro 2024 this summer as he looks to win the only major honour to have evaded him during his career.
4. Mike Maignan (Milan and France)
The Milan stopper has emerged as Hugo Lloris's successor in between the sticks for France since the former Spurs man’s international retirement last January.
After coming up through the Paris Saint-Germain youth set-up, Maignan made a name for himself at Lille before his 2021 move to Serie A. A commanding presence, the 28-year-old has struggled for form over the past few months, but still has time to reach his full potential. A big summer awaits as he gets set for his first international tournament, with France one of the favourites at Euro 2024.
3. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona and Germany)
The 32-year-old stopper has racked up more than 400 appearances for Barcelona over the past decade and has a winners’ medal collection to match.
Ter Stegen has consistently improved throughout his Barcelona career following a 2014 move from Borussia Monchengladbach and has been unfortunate to have been behind Manuel Neuer in the pecking order for the German national team for much of the past decade. He'll be hoping to get his first taste of major international tournament football this summer at Euro 2024, with Neuer having not played for Die Mannschaft since breaking his leg after the 2022 World Cup.
2. Ederson (Manchester City and Brazil)
Ederson picked up a sixth Premier League winners’ medal this season, underlining his importance in one of the most dominant teams English football has ever seen. One of the best keepers in the world with his feet, Ederson has been a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s winning machine, although the 30-year-old has been the subject of recent speculation of transfer links to Saudi Arabia.
A fractured eye socket will rule him out of this summer’s Copa America, denying him the chance to renew his battle for the Brazil No.1 shirt with his Premier League rival Alisson.
1. Alisson (Liverpool and Brazil)
The Brazilian became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when Liverpool shelled out more than £65 million to bring Alisson to Anfield from Roma in 2018, but no Red fan would quibble at the size of the fee six years on.
The experienced stopper has everything you want from a world-class goalkeeper, whether that is shot-stopping ability, leadership at the back or excellent distribution and ball-playing skills. His presence at the back will be welcomed by new Liverpool boss Arne Slot as the Reds begin a transitional period after the departure of Jurgen Klopp and at 31 years old, he should now be in peak years.
