Top 20 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football
As forwards are judged by their goals, the best goalkeepers are measured by the number of clean sheets they keep at the end of the season. They are also judged according to their distribution, passing, and agility. Read on to learn more about the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Football goalkeepers with the most clean sheets: Top 20
- Top 20 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football
- 20. Tim Howard - 132 (33.08%)
- 19. Nigel Martyn - 137 (36.83%)
- 18. David Seaman - 141 (40.99%)
- 17. David de Gea - 147 (35.42%)
- 16. Mark Schwarzer - 152 (29.57%)
- 15. David James - 169 (29.55%)
- 14. Samir Handanovic- 278 (36%)
- 13. Andriy Pyatov - 285 (46%)
- 12. Rui Patricio - 291 (39%)
- 11. Hugo Lloris- 361 (35.18%)
- 10. Jens Lehmann - 309 (36%)
- 9. Mickael Landreau-309 (39%)
- 8. Oliver Kahn-322 (37%)
- 7. Igor Akinfeev - 346 (42%)
- 6. Manuel Neuer-353 (45%)
- 5. Pepe Reina - 358 (40%)
- 4. Petr Cech-397 (44%)
- 3. Iker Casillas-440 (42%)
- 2. Edwin van der Sar-440 (46%)
- 1. Gianluigi Buffon-501 (44%)
- Teams with the most clean sheets in Europe
- Who has the most clean sheets in football history?
- Who has the most clean sheets in EPL 2024?
- Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in WC history?
- Which goalkeeper has 138 clean sheets?
Goalkeepers have treated the world of football to some of the most magical and inspiring saves ever. Great goalkeepers such as Manuel Neuer, Casillas, and Peter Cech, among others, are a few of these keepers. So, who is the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the world? Read on to find out.
Football goalkeepers with the most clean sheets: Top 20
| Rank | Name | Clean sheet |
| 1 | Gianluigi Buffon | 501 (44%) |
| 2 | Edwin van der Sar | 440 (46%) |
| 3 | Iker Casillas | 440 (42%) |
| 4 | Petr Cech | 397 (44%) |
| 5 | Pepe Reina | 358 (40%) |
| 6 | Manuel Neuer | 353 (45%) |
| 7 | Igor Akinfeev | 346 (42%) |
| 8 | Oliver Kahn | 322 (37%) |
| 9 | Mickael Landreau | 309 (36%) |
| 10 | Jens Lehmann | 309 (36%) |
| 11 | Hugo Lloris | 361 (35.18%) |
| 12 | Rui Patricio | 291 (39%) |
| 13 | Andriy Pyatov | 285 (46%) |
| 14 | Samir Handanovic | 278 (36%) |
| 15 | David James | 169 (29.55%) |
| 16 | Mark Schwarzer | 152 (29.57%) |
| 17 | David de Gea | 147 (35.42%) |
| 18 | David Seaman | 141 (40.99%) |
| 19 | Nigel Martyn | 137 (36.83%) |
| 20 | Tim Howard | 132 (33.08%) |
Top 20 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football
Great goalkeepers also decide matches for teams making important saves and starting play. They are one of the most underrated people on the field. So, here are some of the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets of all time:
20. Tim Howard - 132 (33.08%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Timothy Matthew Howard
- Date of birth: 6 March 1979
- Age: 45 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: North Brunswick Township, New Jersey, United States
Tim Howard is regarded as one of the best American goalkeepers of all time. He previously played for the USL Championship club Memphis 901, a club of which Tim Howard is a minority owner and sporting director.
19. Nigel Martyn - 137 (36.83%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Antony Nigel Martyn
- Date of birth: 11 August 1966
- Age: 57 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: St Austell, United Kingdom
Nigel Martyn is a former goalkeeper and English football coach. He notably played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton. Nigel Martyn spent time as the Bradford City goalkeeping coach.
18. David Seaman - 141 (40.99%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: David Andrew Seaman
- Date of birth: 19 September 1963
- Age: 60 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Rotherham, England
David Seaman played as a goalkeeper from 1981 to 2004. In 2004, he retired due to a recurring shoulder injury. David Seaman played for teams such as Peterborough United, Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal and Manchester City.
17. David de Gea - 147 (35.42%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: David de Gea Quintana
- Date of birth: 7 November 1990
- Age: 33 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
David de Gea is professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper, he is among the goalkeepers with most clean sheets this season. During his time at Manchester United, he made over 500 appearances and won a Premier League title, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup and Community Shields. David de Gea became the first player to win consecutive United's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year.
16. Mark Schwarzer - 152 (29.57%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Mark Schwarzer
- Date of birth: 6 October 1972
- Age: 51 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: North Richmond, New South Wales, Australia
Mark Schwarzer was a former footballer who played for the Australian national team from 1993 to 2013. He played for teams such as Chelsea, Fulham, Marconi Stallions, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Dynamo Dresden, Bradford City and Middlesbrough. Mark Schwarzer is the oldest player to have played in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
15. David James - 169 (29.55%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: David Benjamin James
- Date of birth: 1 August 1970
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Welwyn Garden City, England
The Englishman played for prestigious clubs all over, such as Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bristol City, AFC Bournemouth, IBV and Kerala Blasters. Throughout his career, David James had over 169 clean sheets.
14. Samir Handanovic- 278 (36%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Samir Handanović
- Date of birth: 14 July 1984
- Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Samir Handanović is of Slovenian descent and currently plays for Serie A side Inter Milan. He has played for prestigious clubs such as Lazio, Udinese, Rimini, Treviso and Zagorje. Samir Handanović holds the record for most penalties stopped in Serie A.
13. Andriy Pyatov - 285 (46%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Andriy Valeriyovych Pyatov
- Date of birth: 28 June 1984
- Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine
The Ukrainian international and showstopper has inspired some fulfilling moments for his fans. He has kept 285 clean sheets, which is incredible. Andriy Pyatov has played for Artemida Kirovohrad, Vorskla Poltava, and Shakhtar Donetsk.
12. Rui Patricio - 291 (39%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Rui Pedro dos Santos Patrício ComM
- Date of birth: 15 February 1988
- Age: 36 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Marrazes, Portugal
Rui Patricio plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Roma and the Portugal national team. He is one of the most prolific showstoppers ever, he has 291 clean sheets. Rui Patricio has played for Sporting CP, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Roma.
11. Hugo Lloris- 361 (35.18%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Hugo Hadrien Dominique Lloris
- Date of birth: 26 December 1986
- Age: 37 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Nice, France
Hugo Lloris is a French footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. At the age of 36, Lloris, who holds the record for most caps earned by the national team, declared his retirement from international football. Hugo Lloris has played for clubs such as Nice, Lyon and Tottenham, keeping 361 clean sheets.
10. Jens Lehmann - 309 (36%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jens Gerhard Lehmann
- Date of birth: 10 November 1969
- Age: 54 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Essen, Germany
Jens Lehmann was an elite shot-stopper for clubs such as Schalke 04, Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and VfB Stuttgart. He is one of the best Premier League goalkeepers with the most clean sheets. Jens Lehmann kept 309 clean sheets while at it.
9. Mickael Landreau-309 (39%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Mickaël Vincent André-Marie Landreau
- Date of birth: 14 May 1979
- Age: 44 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Machecoul, Machecoul-Saint-Même, France
The Frenchman has played for elite teams such as Nantes, PSG, Lille and Bastia, winning various awards. He hold a record title for 618 Ligue 1 appearances between 1996 and 2014. Mickael Landreau has also kept more than 309 clean sheets cracking into the top 10.
8. Oliver Kahn-322 (37%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Oliver Rolf Kahn
- Date of birth: 15 June 1969
- Age: 54 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Karlsruhe, Germany
Oliver Kahn is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, Oliver Khan always showed his quality on the pitch. He played for Karlsruher and Bayern Munich. Oliver Kahn boasts of 322 clean sheets over more than 600 appearances.
7. Igor Akinfeev - 346 (42%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Igor Vladimirovich Akinfeev
- Date of birth: 8 April 1986
- Age: 38 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Vidnoye, Russia
Igor Akinfeev plays as a goalkeeper for and captains Russian club CSKA Moscow. The Russian played for only one club, CSKA Moscow. Igor Akinfeev has over 500 appearances for the club and has kept 346 clean sheets. This results in an incredible 42% save percentage.
6. Manuel Neuer-353 (45%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Manuel Peter Neuer
- Date of birth: 27 March 1986
- Age: 38 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, West Germany
The German is considered by some as the GOAT of all goalkeepers due to his incredible athleticism and theatrics. He is intelligent in front of the ball hence his 353 clean sheets. Manuel Neuer has played for two clubs, Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich.
5. Pepe Reina - 358 (40%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: José Manuel Reina Páez
- Date of birth: 31 August 1982
- Age: 41 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
Reina has played for Barcelona, Villareal, Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Aston Villa and Lazio. Pepe Reina has been able to keep 358 clean sheets breaking him into the top 5. The Spaniard is known for his heroic performances.
4. Petr Cech-397 (44%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Petr Čech
- Date of birth: 20 May 1982
- Age: 41 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Plzeň, Czechoslovakia
Some consider him the greatest goalkeeper ever due to the records in his name. He is known for his heroic performances in Chmel Blsany, Sparta Prague, Rennes, Chelsea and Arsenal. The Czech Republic international had 397 clean sheets. Petr Čech currently an ice hockey player who plays as a goaltender for Oxford City Stars.
3. Iker Casillas-440 (42%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Iker Casillas Fernández
- Date of birth: 20 May 1981
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Móstoles, Spain
Iker Casillas is one of Real Madrid’s most prolific goalkeepers and currently works as a football commentator. He was an intelligent athlete with a physicality many dreams of. Iker Casillas had over 440 clean sheets in his career playing for Real Madrid and Porto.
2. Edwin van der Sar-440 (46%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Edwin van der Sar
- Date of birth: 29 October 1970
- Age: 53 years old (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Voorhout, Netherlands
The Manchester United legend was a joy to watch with his athletic saves. He is among the top 10 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets, with over 440 saves in his career. The Dutch footballer played for teams such as Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United.
1. Gianluigi Buffon-501 (44%)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon Ufficiale
- Date of birth: 28 January 1978
- Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
- : Carrara, Italy
The list would not be complete without legendary Italian goalkeeper Gian Luigi Buffon. He is one of the players with the longest career. He has played for teams such as Parma, Juventus, and PSG, keeping more than 501 clean sheets.
Teams with the most clean sheets in Europe
Keeping a clean sheet is not easy. Every aspect of your game must go perfectly well. Here are some teams with the most clean sheets in Europe:
| Team | Clean sheets |
| Burgos CF | 11 |
| UD Las Palmas | 9 |
| Preston North End | 9 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 8 |
| Barcelona | 7 |
Who has the most clean sheets in football history?
Gianluigi Buffon of Italy has the most clean sheets. He has over 501 clean sheets throughout his career.
Who has the most clean sheets in EPL 2024?
David Raya has the most clean sheets in EPL this season, his clean sheet this season is 10.
Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in WC history?
Peter Shilton has the record for the most clean sheets in the World Cup. He has played in 17 finals matches and shares the record of 10 clean sheets in World Cup finals matches.
Which goalkeeper has 138 clean sheets?
Edwin Van der Sa has 138 clean sheets. He is a football executive and former professional player who was most recently the chief executive of Ajax.
Having the most clean sheets requires discipline, hard work talent, and good defender coordination. Gianluigi Buffon has the most clean sheets in world football. He boasts an impressive 501 clean sheets with a 44% save percentage. Many are curious about who the next legendary goalkeeper will be.
Legit.ng also published a list of the top greatest players who have never won the Ballon d’Or. The Ballon d’Or is the most coveted trophy in world football. These players were amazing and did not win the prize. But why?
So, who are they, and why did they not win? Read more by clicking on the link above!
Source: Legit.ng
