Ranking the five best goalkeepers in the world right now | OneFootball

Great goalkeepers are not in short supply across world football right now and ranking the best in the game was challenging. The role of a number one has changed immensely in recent years, with the very best now influencing attacks in addition to being the last line of defence.

Reflexes, distribution, composure and presence are just some of the factors taken into account as we run through the best goalkeepers in world football right now.

5. Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid

Jan Oblak has been saving Atletico Madrid for almost a decade, with the Slovenian the equivalent of a video game final boss, an intimidating last challenge once the Spanish side’s resolute rearguard has been breached.

Diego Simeone has depended on Oblak’s outstanding reflexes and considerable presence in recent campaigns, with the 31-year-old having won a joint-record five Zamora trophies, awarded to the La Liga goalkeeper with the lowest “goals-to-games” ratio.

He’s now made 435 appearances for Atleti in all competitions and continues to perform on the biggest stage. His performance in the club’s Champions League last-16 win over Inter Milan was an example of his excellence, as Oblak made a string of saves – including two in the shootout – as the Spaniards turned the tie around.

4. Mike Maignan – AC Milan

AC Milan fans feared the worst when Gianluigi Donnarumma walked out on the club, with the academy graduate deciding to depart for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Losing world football’s best young goalkeeper on a free transfer was a bitter blow, but the Rossoneri responded with a steal to sign Mike Maignan from Lille.

The Frenchman has been named in the Serie A Team of the Year in consecutive campaigns, with his first season seeing Maignan record 17 clean sheets in the club’s Scudetto success.

A commanding physical presence, the retirement of Hugo Lloris has seen the 28-year-old become first choice for the national team and he will be central to hopes of French success at Euro 2024 this summer.

3. Ederson – Manchester City

Judging Pep Guardiola’s players on the same metrics as their contemporaries can be tricky, with some such specialists they offer unique contributions. Ederson fits that billing at Manchester City, a goalkeeper in name, but a footballer first and foremost.

The Brazilian’s brilliance on the ball is unrivalled, offering such elite distribution that his shortcomings can often be excused.

He’s won three consecutive Golden Gloves in the Premier League as the Citizens have swept to successive titles, though it’s his ability with the ball at his feet that really stands out. Capable of passes that would make elite midfielders stop to applaud, he’s a truly one-off talent.

2. Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Barcelona

Marc-Andre ter Stegen verged on unbeatable for much of Barcelona’s title-winning campaign last season, with the German goalkeeper leading Europe’s top five leagues for clean sheets (26), clean sheet percentage (68.4%), and save percentage (84.7%).

His lightning-quick reflexes are complemented by flawless distribution and his absence with a back issue for a period of this season has contributed to a disappointing title defence for Barcelona.

That the 31-year-old has spent his entire international career to date as a backup to Manuel Neuer is a huge shame for a talent who would command the number one shirt for almost any other nation. Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed his status as second-choice Germany goalkeeper will continue at Euro 2024.

1. Alisson – Liverpool

Alisson’s arrival at Liverpool might just be an even more transformative signing than Virgil van Dijk. The Brazilian arrived after Loris Karius’ Champions League nightmare in 2018 and helped turn Liverpool from contenders to champions, claiming every available major honour in the following seasons.

His shot-stopping is extraordinary, with no goalkeeper in the Premier League preventing more expected goals (10) than Alisson last season.

Liverpool’s turbulent campaign saw the 31-year-old called into action more regularly than Jurgen Klopp would have liked, but it only proved to provide a more compelling case study of Alisson’s goalkeeping brilliance.

This season, he’s been at the forefront of an improved Liverpool team that are pushing to send Klopp off into the sunset with a treble of trophies. The South American’s save from Miguel Almiron earlier this season was out of this world, with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe calling it the best he’s ever seen.

That’s some compliment.

Read – Ranking the five best centre-backs in the world right now

See more – Five top players who could feature at the 2024 Olympics

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