5 modern goalkeepers who deserved the Ballon d'Or

#6 Honourable mentions

Edwin van der Sar Holland and Manchester United/Ajax

Bought into the Ajax first team by Louis Van Gaal, the lanky Dutchman was a pivotal presence in their remarkable European triumph of 95, he also played magnificently at Juventus and (surprisingly) Fulham till he reached Manchester United for his last glorious stint. For sheer longevity and (the incredibly high levels of) consistency few footballers can match the amazing goalkeeper whose keen sense of position, athletic diving abilities and supreme agility marked him out as one of the best goalkeepers ever.

In the 2008-09 season, he went 1,311 minutes without having conceded a single goal in the league - a record for a single season

Petr ech Czech Republic and Chelsea

The Petr ech that played for the Czech Republic and Chelsea from 2004 till that horrific depressed skull fracture in 2006-07, was one of the greatest talents ever. At one point it was scary how much potential the man had, if it were not for that injury, he would have walked away with the title of greatest goalkeeper playing now with ease for he had the kind of dominating presence few have ever been able to produce on a football field.

Lets face it, the injury changed him, and most understandably so. Even though he still undoubtedlyone of the best in the business, he could never recapture that incredible aura of invincibility that surrounded him at one point; when he broke the Buffon Casillas hegemony over the IFHSS Goalkeeper of the year award to be voted best in the world in 2005.

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