In football, forwards and midfielders are overwhelmingly celebrated and glorified. They’re the ones who keep stealing the headlines — and we gush about their skills and tricks.
We rarely give goalkeepers the credit they deserve. We usually forget that bad goaltending and a talented offensive line don’t guarantee a team victory.
Goalkeepers are so important that top bookmakers now offer special betting markets for them. Take the game between Manchester City and Liverpool as an example.
Bettors can 1xbet apk downloadenjoy higher odds for Ederson (Manchester City goalkeeper) to keep a clean sheet.
But do you know some of the greatest goalkeepers to grace the game of football? Let us introduce you to four of these legends.
1. Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel is a legendary Danish goalkeeper. He started his youth career at Høje-Gladsaxe and then steadily developed into one of the best players in history.
During his playing career from 1972 to 2003, Schmeichel displayed incredible skill and won numerous awards while playing for Danish and English football teams.
Schmeichel’s height is commendable (6 feet 4 inches tall). This, combined with his quickness and good reflexes, make him a difficult goalkeeper to beat.
Schmeichel’s many achievements include three-time Danish Player of the Year (1990, 1993 and 1999), three-time UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year (1992, 1993 and 1998), and a two-time IFFHS World’s Most Best Goalkeeper (1992 and 1993), among many other titles and achievements. Schmeichel is also inducted into the British Football Hall of Fame and the Danish Football Hall of Fame.
2. Edwin van der Sar
Van der Sar started his career with Ajax in Amsterdam in 1990. It didn’t take long for him to establish himself as a reliable shot-blocker and gain popularity among the Ajax faithful.
During his time at Ajax, van der Sar won three Eredivisie titles and the UEFA Champions League in 1995. His prowess on the pitch saw him move to Italian powerhouse Juventus in 1999, where he spent two seasons before joining the Premier League.
Van der Sar is firmly established at Manchester United. He played six seasons with the team, winning four Premier League titles, a League Cup and, in 2008, the coveted Champions League.
He was brilliant in that game and was a key pillar of the club’s success.
During his remarkable 21-year career, Van der Sar made around 800 appearances for club and country. His perseverance and reliability in such a difficult task is a testament to his talent and commitment.
3. Iker Casillas
Casillas’ career began in the 90s when he joined Real Madrid’s youth teams. His talent was immediately apparent and he was promoted to the first team without delay.
From there he progressed to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
One of the high points of Casillas’ career was his outstanding performance in the 2010 World Cup. Along the way he made numerous important stops and contributed to Spain’s victory.
During his time at Real Madrid, he also made great contributions to Real Madrid’s 3 Champions League and 5 La Liga titles.
Additionally, Casillas has had a phenomenal international career. He made more than 150 caps for Spain and was an integral part of their European Championship victories in 2008 and 2012.
But Casillas’ fame isn’t based solely on his title. He is known for his lightning quick reflexes, keen sense of timing and on-court leadership. He is a true role model for aspiring goalkeepers around the world.
4. Cech
After Petr Cech joined Chelsea from French club Rennes in the early 2000s, Chelsea knew very quickly that they had got a gem.
He quickly rose to fame and became one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers. In his debut season, he helped Chelsea win their first Premier League title in 50 years.
Throughout his career, Cech was known for his finishing skills, dominance in the box and masterful passing. A true leader on the pitch, he has captained both Chelsea and the Czech Republic.
Petr Cech joined Arsenal in 2015 and continued to perform well until his retirement in 2019. In addition, Cech has won many individual honors during his career, including four Premier League Golden Glove medals, recording the cleanest sheets in a season.
In addition, he was named Czech Player of the Year a record eight times.