Who are the legendary goalkeepers in football history?
A list of the best goalkeepers in the world is compiled periodically according to information obtained from football statistics. These goalkeepers, who shaped the course of the matches with the saves they made, became one of the most remembered players in football history, along with the forwards.
Lev Yashin
Lev Ivanovich Yashin, who was ranked first in the list of the best goalkeepers of the twentieth century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), played in the national team of the Soviet Union. In addition to the hundreds of saves he made, Lev Yashin was also known as the first goalkeeper to leave the penalty area. However, until the 1950s, goalkeepers did not leave the penalty area or leave the goal line.
Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, England's shining goalkeeper in the 1970 World Cup, was ranked second in the list of the best goalkeepers of the 20th century by IFFHS. The goalkeeper, who played for the England National Team 73 times, was known for his critical ball saves. Banks, who quickly deflected Pele's header from the goal line in the 1970 World Cup, went down in football history with this save and took his place in the list of legendary goalkeepers.
Dino Zoff
Ranked third in the list of the best goalkeepers of the twentieth century by IFFHS, Dino Zoff played more than 500 matches in the Italian league and played for the Italian National Team 112 times. Dino Zoff, one of the favorite goalkeepers of the 1970s, also served as captain. Zoff, who set a record by not conceding a goal in national matches for 1193 minutes, became a coach after retiring from goalkeeping.
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel, one of the most successful gloves of the 1990s, stood out with the magnificent saves he made in the matches he played for Manchester United. Peter Schmeichel was a goalkeeper who made his mark in the 1992 European Football Championship, in which his country Denmark also participated. Schmeichel was included in FIFA's '125 Best Alive Footballers' list.
Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn, one of Bayern Munich's best goalkeepers, is remembered for his commitment to his team as well as his performance in goal. He won the championship in different competitions, including the Bundesliga eight times, the UEFA Cup once, and the Champions League once.
Gianluigi Buffon
The successful glove went down in football history as the first and only goalkeeper to be awarded the 'UEFA Footballer of the Year Award'. Gianluigi Buffon, who is 41 years old today, is among the best goalkeepers in Italy.
* In the photo you see Oliver Kahn and Peter Schmeichel.