Ranking the Top 11 best goalkeepers of 2023

Published at :December 17, 2023 at 9:56 PM

Modified at :December 27, 2023 at 5:43 PM

Some of the best goalkeepers in the modern era

A great goalkeeper is, quite often, the difference between trophy-winning sides and those that fall short in the search for silverware. The modern goalkeeper has evolved from a basic shot-stopping role to becoming more important than ever before. Goalkeepers are effectively becoming like other outfield players, starting plays and taking part in the build-up phase of an attack from the back.

Any team that hopes to achieve great things must have a strong goalkeeper. More often than not, it is the goalkeepers who end up deciding closely-contested matches. Yet, when it’s all said and done, they rarely get the credit they deserve. It’s almost always the goalscorers who capture all the headlines. Despite the apparent bias, goalkeepers rarely speak out. They keep their heads down and continue to help their teams to the best of their abilities.

As the year 2023 has come to an end we have picked the 11 best goalkeepers of the year with some stunning saves with gloves and performances to help their team remain at the top or become a champion:

11. Diogo Costa – Porto & Portugal

There are few goalkeepers like the present and future of Porto and Portugal, Diogo Meireles da Costa. Diogo Costa is unarguably one of the brightest goalkeeping prospects in world football and has attracted interest from big clubs. The hype around Diogo Costa is unquestionably justified looking at what he has won at such a young age.

Despite not having favourable statistics in this area, he has great control when crosses are being bombarded, rarely makes major mistakes in general, and boasts composed and solid decision-making.

10. Mike Maignan – AC Milan & France

Maignan is a 25-year-old French goalkeeper who has just signed for Serie A club Milan. Standing at 191cm tall, the Rossoneri’s new keeper is powerfully built and possesses all the key qualities a top goalkeeper must have in his locker. Top-class reflexes, including saving shots from distance and close range, good positional sense, sweeping and cross-stopping ability, as well as good anticipation when coming off his line are Maignan’s best goalkeeping attributes.

The most important job of a goalkeeper is to stop the opposition players’ shots from entering his goal. The ability to do this consistently is indicative of a solid shot-stopper, and Maignan is certainly one of the best in this regard.

9. Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG & Italy

Having made his competitive debut for Milan at just 16 years and 242 days old, Gianluigi Donnarumma broke through at an astonishingly young age. Donnarumma is a physically imposing goalkeeper who dominates his penalty area and provides a significant barrier in front of the goal. He plays on the front foot, and will often start with a high position, primed to step out and catch the ball.

It is, however, his shot-stopping ability for which he stands out most. He has exceptional reflexes and is adept both when facing close-range shots and shots from distance. At 6’5” and with a broad frame, he already takes up a lot of the goal, and he has a vast reach, too. On top of all of that, he is extremely agile, and he shifts his weight well to spring across the goal and covers every corner of the net.

8. Andre Onana – Manchester United & Cameroon

Andre Onana Manchester United best goalkeepers — Onana played the UCL 2023-24 final with Inter Milan

Onana is a sweeper-keeper who has strong distribution skills, He regularly comes out of his box to help build up play and is known for his confidence on the ball and range of passing. Even though this season his form after joining the English side Manchester United has been awful, his performance with Inter Milan was really good as he helped them to reach the Final of the Champions League.

7. Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid & Slovenia

Oblak is a tall, athletic, and physically strong keeper. He is mainly known for his speed, quick reflexes, and agility, as well as his reading of the game, and in particular, his excellent handling and ability to come off his line and collect crosses, which enables him to excel in the air and command his area effectively. His role as a goalkeeper of Atletico Madrid has evolved a lot under Diego Simeone and still, he is the number one choice keeper of the club.

6. Nick Pope – Newcastle United & England

Despite his imperious frame, Pope is surprisingly mobile and shone compared to other Premier League keepers, It’s an unavoidable fact that Pope is one of the most physically imposing players in the league. Pope is also an underrated distributor who likes to play long balls. He also represented England at the senior level and made ten appearances till now.

5. Alex Meret – Napoli & Italy

On 5 July 2018, Meret signed with Napoli, He made his European debut on 14 February 2019, in a 3–1 away win over FC Zürich in the first leg of the round of 32 of the Europa League. Due to a suspension to Ospina, however, Meret started in the 2020 Coppa Italia Final against Juventus on 17 June; following a goalless draw after regulation time, Meret saved Paulo Dybala’s spot kick, helping his team earn a 4–2 penalty shoot-out victory. He played a key role in last year’s Napoli league win. At the international level, Meret has represented Italy at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels, and made his senior debut for Italy in 2019

4. Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa & Argentina

Emiliano Martinez best goalkeepers — Emi Martinez won the World Cup with Argentina

Game after game, week after week, Emiliano Martínez continues to prove he’s no one-season wonder. Martínez has had many doubters over the years, but it’s time we wake up and realize just how special of a goalkeeper he is. He’s equally comfortable making top-handed and bottom-handed saves with either of his hands. He’s had his ups and downs but is currently well above average. He is one of the reason why Argentina are the World Champions.

3. Marc Andre ter Stegen – Barcelona & Germany

Ter Stegen has been described as a tall, agile and consistent goalkeeper, with quick reflexes, good decision-making and excellent shot-stopping abilities between the posts. Even though he was quite inconsistent some years ago now he is the fan favourite.

Being highly competent with the ball at his feet, he is known for his control and accurate distribution of the ball, and often functions as a sweeper-keeper, due to his ability to play the ball out from the back. He possesses good fundamental goalkeeping techniques and a strong positional sense. He is one of the reasons for Barcelona’s last season’s La Liga victory.

2. Ederson – Manchester City & Brazil

He is mostly highly regarded for his distribution and skill with the ball at his feet than for his abilities as a shot-stopper. Ederson is a big part of City’s tactics. His advanced positioning almost makes him an outfield player at times, slotting in between his two centre-backs. However, Ederson’s eagerness to leave his box when his team isn’t in possession can sometimes lead to problems. Although naturally left-footed, he is capable of using either foot.

1. Alisson Becker – Liverpool & Brazil

Alisson has been praised for his ability to produce crucial saves and brilliance in one-on-one situations, as well as his positioning, distribution and consistency. Alisson is also known for his speed and timing when rushing off his line, as well as his ability to clear or challenge the ball with his feet outside the area or get to the ground quickly to collect or parry the ball inside the box.

His skills with the ball at his feet and composure in possession have even seen him take on opponents on occasion when put under pressure, and allow his teams to play with a high defensive line. Alisson’s technical footwork when dealing with opponents is also highly regarded.

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