Goalkeepers, the last line of defence With out them it would be easy to score. Intimidating opposition team attackers with their commanding physique. Over the years in this beautiful game a lot of talented shot stoppers have graced themselves with their menacing and athletic ability to single handedly win matches. They are not widely loved by the whole world as compared to the attackers who generally have a lot of fan following, arguably the toughest position in football as they can be criticised easily for mistakes committed. They deserve a lot more appreciation for their hard work and i feel in today's day and age where every youngster wants to be a striker or a midfielder it has made the role that goalkeepers play in the game under rated.
This role requires a lot more focus and agility and mental strength and over the years there have been a few greats who have possessed all those qualities in them which have made them masters of their role in Football. These are the top 5 Goalkeeping greats of all time
Peter Schmeichel: Arguably the best goalkeeper that Manchester United has ever had. The Great Dane was a commanding figure in between the sticks and would easily be intimidating to opposition attackers. It would take nerves and balls of steel to score past him, because physically and athletically he was an outstanding keeper, agile and quick on his feet, a true goalkeeping legend in his own right. Most remembered for his keeping days at Manchester United and that crucial penalty save in the 1999 FA cup Semi Final Match against Arsenal in turn helping Manchester United to win the Cup and achieve the elusive treble. He was so intimidating that even his Manchester United team mates were scared of him.
Oliver Kahn: One of the very best, the footballing world is glad to have a player of his stature to have graced this beautiful game. They say that leaders are born and not made, and Oliver Kahn is definitely one of those characters. He is literally a nightmare to his opponents and some times his team mates. He makes attackers lose confidence in their shooting ability with his reflexive saves and terrorizing presence. Kahn has a long and fruitful career and his performances at the 2002 World Cup is definitely something to never forget. And also his days at Bayern Munich too.
Gianluigi Buffon: A veteran, Buffon has had a long career and still continues to play the sport. He still shows no signs of weakness, age may have slowed down his reflexes a little but that's not stopping Buffon from going out weekly and still continuing to do a tremendous job. The only thing remaining in Buffon's locker is the Champions League and the Euro and with him showing no signs of retiring that might be achievable by the great shot stopper from Italy. Irrespective of the trophies Buffon has won or not won he will always be in league of all time greats. And currently Buffon is the most expensive goalkeeper of all time when he was bought was by Juventus FC from Parma FC for 32.6 million in 2001.
Iker Casillas: Well like Buffon, Casillas has had a long and illustrious career to sat the least. He has won everything there is to win in football at the Global and Domestic stage. At the moment his performances may not justify him to be on this list but let's not forget, "Form is temporary and Class is permanent". He has always been an influencing figure and also a leadership figure to both his club and country. His name will always go down in history as one of the all time greats.
Manuel Neuer: To add this goalkeeper to this list might be controversial but why he deserves to be in this list is because he has done what no Goalkeeper has ever done he is the First Goalkeeper to be nominated for the top most footballing honour the FIFA Ballon D'or. Even though he did not win the award, the fact that he was considered a nominee shows that this young Goalkeeper is talented. Manuel Neuer has set a trend for budding keepers and the keepers present today. He is not your average keeper, he is not afraid to play the role of a sweeper at times. His ability to read the game and make quick decisions is truly phenomenal and definitely deserves to be on this list. He has a lot more of goalkeeping left in him and who knows he might actually win the top prize some day.
So, these are according to me who I feel the all-time top 5 goalkeepers, but feel free to share your views and opinions on which goalkeeper I have missed out to add in this list.
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