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The best result for every goalkeeper on the planet is not conceding any goals and shutting the opposition out. He will need help from his defenders in the process because football is a team game after all. But in any game of football, goalkeepers are very likely to be tested at least a couple of times.
To build a title-winning side, a team needs to have a solid backline. They will also need an excellent goalkeeper between the sticks to ensure any leakage in defence doesn't always spell bad news for the team.
We've seen several incredible goalkeepers leave an indelible mark on the game. Even today, goalkeepers continue to be the unsung heroes of their sides. Keeping a clean sheet is as important as scoring a goal and credit ought to be given where it's due.
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WIthout further ado, let's take a look at five goalkeepers with the most cleansheets in the 21st century.
(Stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.com)
#5 Manuel Neuer - 335 cleansheets
Manuel Neuer is easily one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. The German international is a phenomenon between the sticks and is considered to be a complete, modern goalkeeper.
Neuer has incredible physical attributes and is a colossus of a man to stroke the ball past. He is tall, quick, athletic and has great reactions. Neuer is also not afraid to burst into tight situations inside the area to gather the ball and take the pressure off his defenders.
He has also popularized the role of the 'sweeper keeper'. Bayern Munich play with a high backline. This leaves a lot of space in behind the defence and it gives the opposition the opportunity to dink a pass beyond the defence for a forward to chase down. Neuer will anticipate such passes and sweep up behind his teammates.
Neuer has kept 335 cleansheets in the 21st century. At the age of 35, he is the captain of Bayern Munich and the German national team. He definitely has a lot more years of football left in him and he should climb the rankings further.
#4 Pepe Reina - 354 cleansheets
38-year-old Pepe Reina is one of the most experienced goalkeepers on the planet. In a career spanning 21 years, Reina has represented teams like Barcelona, Villarreal, Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Aston Villa and Lazio.
The Spanish goalkeeper is excellent with the ball at his feet. He is great at starting attacks from the back in addition to being an excellent goalkeeper. Gianluigi Buffon once described Pepe Reina as the best goalkeeper of his era with his feet.
Reina won three Premier League Golden Gloves in his first three seasons with Liverpool. The 38-year-old is great at sweeping as well and does a good job of rushing off his line and taking charge of the situation. Reina has kept 354 cleansheets in 21st century.
#3 Petr Cech - 365 clean sheets
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of the Premier League era, Petr Cech was a standout performer in Jose Mourinho's defensively formidable Chelsea side. He helped the Blues win one UEFA Champions League title, four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and one UEFA Europa League.
Cech holds the record for being the fastest player to keep 100 clean sheets in the Premier League, achieving the feat in 180 appearances. The Czechoslovakian international is one of the most well-rounded goalkeepers of the modern era.
Cech is tall, athletic, brave and is renowned for his shot-stopping abilities. He is also excellent at kickstarting attacks with his long goal kicks and throw-outs helping his sides break on the counter swiftly. He has kept 365 clean sheets in the 21st century.
#2 Iker Casillas - 365 clean sheets
Popularly known as 'San Iker' for his ability to make incredible saves, Iker Casillas is a modern day legend who has won the lot with club and country. The Spanish international spent the majority of his career with Real Madrid and also has the record of keeping the most clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League.
Casillas is unlike the modern archetypal goalkeeper, standing at 182 cms. However, he more than makes up for it with his reflexes and athleticism. He has represented Spain at four World Cups and played a starring role as La Roja were crowned world champions in 2010.
The Real Madrid legend's acrobatics, footwork, concentration and speed make him a unique proposition between the sticks. Casillas had kept 365 clean sheets in the 21st century by the time he decided to call it a day on his professional football career in August 2020.
#1 Gianluigi Buffon - 409 cleansheets
43-year-old Gianluigi Buffon is still going strong at the age of 43. He recently returned to Parma, where his career began in 1995. Buffon is yet another goalkeeper who is considered to be one of the greatest to have guarded the net in the history of the game.
Buffon holds the record for the longest time spent without conceding a goal in Serie A history. He kept the opposition out for 974 minutes over the course of 12 matches.
Buffon has won the Scudetto 10 times in his career. He won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006 and has finished runner up in the UEFA Champions League on three occasions. Buffon's longevity is incredible and he has been cited by many modern goalkeepers as their role model.
He has produced unbelievable saves throughout his career. His leadership ability is a key component of his game and is one of the greatest shot-stoppers in the history of the game.
