Our journey through the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football has unveiled a remarkable list of legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport. From Gianluigi Buffon’s enduring career to Iker Casillas’ historic achievements, each goalkeeper has demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience in their role as the last line of defense.
As we celebrate these guardians of the net, it’s clear that clean sheets go beyond statistical milestones. They reflect a goalkeeper’s ability to command the box, make crucial saves, and serve as a pillar of stability for their teams. From the domestic arenas to the grand stages of international tournaments, these shot-stoppers have excelled in various contexts, earning accolades and championships.
Best Players In The World By Position
Football fans around the world continue to appreciate the artistry of these goalkeeping maestros, recognizing that behind each clean sheet is a story of dedication, leadership, and a passion for the beautiful game. The legacy of these goalkeepers will undoubtedly inspire future generations of players aspiring to emulate their success and etch their names in the rich history of football.
Goalkeepers with the Most Clean Sheets in Football
Here are the Top 20 Goalkeepers with the Most Clean Sheets in Football according to Transfermarkt.
20. Thibaut Courtois
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 583 | 170 |
| National Team | 102 | 51 |
| TOTAL | 685 | 221 |
At number 20 in our ranking of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football is Thibaut Courtois. He plays for Real Madrid and is considered one of the best goalkeepers globally. People admire his quick reactions, impressive saves, and control of the penalty area.
Courtois started playing professionally with Genk and made his debut in 2009 at just 16. He became Genk’s main goalkeeper and helped them win the Belgian Pro League. In 2011, he joined Chelsea for £8 million but spent some time on loan at Atlético Madrid. At Atlético, he achieved a lot, including winning La Liga and the Europa League. He returned to Chelsea in 2014, winning two Premier League titles. In 2018, he signed with Real Madrid for £35 million, becoming La Liga’s most expensive goalkeeper. Since then, he has won two La Liga titles and the Champions League.
Courtois played for Belgium internationally since 2011, making his debut at 19. He has over 100 caps, making him the seventh-highest in appearances for Belgium. He participated in five major tournaments and won the Golden Glove at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, helping Belgium finish third.
Courtois got the Ricardo Zamora Trophy three times, the Premier League Golden Glove once, and was ranked as the third-best goalkeeper from 2011 to 2020 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). Throughout his career, he has kept a total of 221 clean sheets—170 for the clubs he played for and 51 for the national team.
19. Júlio César
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 434 | 182 |
| National Team | 87 | 44 |
| TOTAL | 521 | 226 |
Júlio César, ranked 19th in the list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, started his professional career with Botafogo FR in August 2005, signing a five-year contract. His first official match for Botafogo FR was on November 26, 2006, in a 0-0 draw against SC Corinthians Paulista.
After three years in Brazil, he moved to Belenenses Lisbon in Portugal. Júlio César made his Primeira Liga debut on February 29, 2008, against Marítimo Funchal. He played in every game during his time at Belenenses, totaling 42 matches.
In August 2009, he joined Benfica Lisbon, where he played under coach Jorge Jesus. After a successful stint, he went on loan to FC Granada in the Spanish first division for the 2011/12 season. Upon returning to Benfica, he wasn’t included in the squad, leading to the termination of his contract in 2013.
In March 2014, Getafe FC signed Júlio César after their regular goalkeeper got injured. He played in five league matches that season. In September 2014, he returned to Brazil, signing with Fluminense FC. After five years with Fluminense, he joined Gremio Porto Alegre in early 2019, signing a two-year contract.
Throughout his career, Júlio César achieved a total of 551 clean sheets, with 182 for all the clubs he played for and 44 for the national team.
18. Volkan Demirel
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 525 | 199 |
| National Team | 63 | 22 |
| TOTAL | 588 | 223 |
Volkan Demirel, the 18th-ranked goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in football, started his professional career with Kartalspor in 2000, a second division club where he played over 50 matches in two years. In 2002, he moved to Fenerbahçe Istanbul, signing a two-year contract. However, during the 2002/03 season, he only played once as a substitute for Rüştü Reçber. After Reçber moved to FC Barcelona before the 2003/04 season, Demirel faced challenges, including breaking his nose. Despite being initially a substitute behind Recep Biler, he seized the opportunity in December 2003 and became the number one goalkeeper with strong performances. He played a crucial role in Fenerbahçe winning the championship title that season, leading to a three-year contract extension.
After a successful stint with Fenerbahçe, Demirel’s contract wasn’t renewed at the end of the 2018/19 season, marking the conclusion of his active professional career. He has since been working on the coaching staff at Fenerbahçe.
Demirel made his senior national team debut on April 28, 2004, after impressive performances with Fenerbahçe. He was the starting goalkeeper for the 2008 European Championships, playing three games in the preliminary round. However, in the last group game against the Czech Republic, he received a red card for assaulting striker Jan Koller, leading to a two-game suspension. Following Rüştü Reçber’s retirement from the national team, Demirel became Turkey’s regular goalkeeper. There was a public argument with Sabri Sarıoğlu during a derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in May 2013, resulting in both players being expelled from the national team by the TFF and their national coach Abdullah Avcı. Despite this setback, Demirel returned as the first-choice goalkeeper for Turkey’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Throughout his career, Volkan Demirel achieved a total of 588 clean sheets, with 199 for all the clubs he played for and 22 for his national team.
17. Steve Mandanda
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 752 | 212 |
| National Team | 35 | 14 |
| TOTAL | 787 | 226 |
Ranked 17th in the list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football is Steve Mandanda. He began his career in the Le Havre academy and spent the majority of his professional years with Marseille, playing in 613 matches across various competitions in two separate periods with the club. Mandanda earned the title of Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year five times. He also had a brief stint with the English club Crystal Palace before joining Rennes in 2023.
Born in Zaire (now DR Congo), Mandanda represented the France national team. He made his debut in 2008 and played for France in seven international tournaments, including four UEFA European Championships (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020) and three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2018, 2022). Mandanda was part of the French team that won the 2018 World Cup.
Throughout his career, Mandanda achieved a total of 226 clean sheets, with 212 for all the clubs he played for and 14 for the national team.
16. Joe Hart
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 671 | 200 |
| National Team | 75 | 43 |
| TOTAL | 746 | 243 |
Ranked 16th in the list of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football is Joe Hart. He started his career at Shrewsbury Town in the Football Conference and League Two. In 2006, he made the jump to the Premier League with Manchester City. During his early years, Hart had loan spells at clubs like Tranmere Rovers and Blackpool.
Hart’s loan stint with Birmingham City in the 2009–10 season brought him recognition, being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year and winning the Premier League goalkeeper of the season award. Returning to Manchester City for the 2010–11 season, he earned the Golden Glove for keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League. He repeated this achievement in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons. Hart also won two Premier League titles with Manchester City.
However, with the arrival of manager Pep Guardiola in 2016, Hart became the second-choice goalkeeper and went on loan to Torino and West Ham United in successive seasons. In 2018, he joined Burnley on a permanent transfer. Later, he signed with Tottenham Hotspur in August 2020, followed by a move to Celtic in 2021.
On the international stage, Hart made his senior debut for England in June 2008 and was the first-choice goalkeeper from 2010 to 2017. He earned 75 caps, keeping 43 clean sheets, and represented England in two FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships.
Joe Hart boasts a total of 243 clean sheets in his career, with 200 for all the clubs he played for and 43 for his national team.
15. Tim Howard
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 688 | 207 |
| National Team | 121 | 49 |
| TOTAL | 809 | 256 |
Tim Howard, ranked as a remarkable goalkeeper, started his career with the North Jersey Imperials before moving to the MetroStars. His talent caught the attention of English Premier League club Manchester United, where he became the first-choice keeper in 2003, replacing Fabian Barthez. Howard played a key role in the club’s successes, winning the 2003 FA Community Shield, the 2003–04 FA Cup, and the 2005–06 League Cup.
When Edwin van der Sar joined United in 2005, Howard went on loan to Everton in 2006 and later signed permanently in February 2007. A notable moment came on January 4, 2012, when Howard scored against Bolton Wanderers, making him only the fourth goalkeeper to score a goal in the Premier League. In 2016, he returned to MLS, signing with the Colorado Rapids. After three years with the Rapids, Howard retired in October 2019 but briefly came out of retirement to play for USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC in March 2020, where he also served as the sporting director.
Tim Howard holds the record for the most caps as a goalkeeper for the United States men’s national team, earning 121 caps from 2002 until his international retirement in 2017. Although he was an unused substitute for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he later became the first-choice keeper from the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup onward. Howard started in all of the team’s 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup games, reaching the Round of 16 on both occasions. During the 2014 World Cup, he set a record for the most saves in a match, making 16 saves against Belgium.
In his illustrious career, Tim Howard achieved a total of 256 clean sheets, with 209 for all the clubs he played for and 49 for his national team.
14. Pepe Reina
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 932 | 253 |
| National Team | 36 | 21 |
| TOTAL | 968 | 274 |
Pepe Reina, ranked 14th among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, comes from a football lineage as the son of the renowned goalkeeper Miguel Reina. Starting with the Barcelona youth team, he made his La Liga debut during the 2000–01 season. Reina then joined Villarreal in 2002, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup twice. His journey continued to Liverpool, where he became the first-choice goalkeeper, winning the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. Despite reaching the Champions League Final in 2007, Liverpool lost to AC Milan.
After eight seasons as Liverpool’s main goalkeeper, Reina spent the 2013–14 season on loan at Napoli, winning the Coppa Italia in 2014. A move to Bayern Munich followed in 2014, where he served as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Manuel Neuer. Returning to Napoli in 2015, he stayed until 2018, then signed for Milan. In January 2020, he went on loan to Aston Villa before returning to Serie A with Lazio in August 2020.
Internationally, Reina played for Spain’s youth team, winning the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 1999. He made his senior debut in 2005 and was often the second-choice goalkeeper behind Iker Casillas and David de Gea. He was part of the Spain squad that won the UEFA Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA Euro 2012. He also featured in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
Pepe Reina holds the fourth-highest number of appearances by a Spanish player in the Premier League, making more than 200 appearances in his first five seasons, with 108 clean sheets out of 219 appearances. In the 2010–11 season, he achieved his 100th Premier League clean sheet for Liverpool in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa.
Throughout his career, Pepe Reina has accumulated a total of 274 clean sheets, with 253 for all the clubs he played for and 21 for his national team.
13. Samir Handanovic
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 719 | 254 |
| National Team | 80 | 29 |
| TOTAL | 799 | 283 |
Samir Handanović, holding the 13th spot among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, started his career in his home country of Slovenia before moving to Italy. In 2004, he joined Udinese, but several loan spells followed, with stints at Treviso, Lazio, and Rimini. Handanović returned to Udinese in the 2007–08 season, where he served as the starting goalkeeper for the next five years. He made his debut in UEFA Cup during the following season, marking his entry into European football. After more than 200 appearances in five years, Handanović joined Inter Milan in July 2012. In February 2019, he was named club captain, reaching his 300th appearance for the club in September and later reaching the 2020 UEFA Europa League final. Handanović achieved his 500th Serie A appearance in February 2021, and that May, he won his first trophy by securing the title.
Beginning his international career with the Slovenia under-21 team, Handanović made his senior debut for Slovenia in 2004. He earned 81 caps for his country, the most by a goalkeeper, and represented Slovenia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Known as “Batman” due to his acrobatic saves, Handanović is considered one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He is one of four non-Italian keepers to be named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year, winning the honor three times. Renowned for his penalty-saving skills, he saved six penalty kicks during the 2010–11 Serie A season, equaling an all-time league record. In the 2019–20 season, he matched Gianluca Pagliuca’s record for the most penalties saved in Serie A with his 24th stop, later breaking the record the following season.
In his career, Samir Handanović has achieved a total of 283 clean sheets, with 254 for all the clubs he played for and 29 for his national team.
12. Victor Valdés
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 648 | 274 |
| National Team | 20 | 12 |
| TOTAL | 668 | 286 |
Victor Valdés, ranked 12th among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, spent the majority of his professional career with Barcelona in La Liga, participating in 535 official games and securing 21 major titles with the club. His international contributions include being part of the Spain squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Valdés also played for Manchester United, Standard Liège, and Middlesbrough.
Throughout his career, Valdés achieved a total of 286 clean sheets, with 274 for all the clubs he played for and 12 for his national team.
11. Andriy Pyatov
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 528 | 241 |
| National Team | 102 | 47 |
| TOTAL | 732 | 288 |
Andriy Pyatov holds the 11th position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football. He started his career in 2002 with his hometown club, Vorskla Poltava. In 2007, Pyatov moved to Shakhtar Donetsk for around one million euros, taking over as the starting goalkeeper from Bohdan Schust. Despite facing competition in 2008, Pyatov quickly reclaimed his regular place with consistent performances, especially in the UEFA Cup, where Shakhtar Donetsk reached the semi-finals.
Although called up as a potential replacement for the Ukrainian squad in the 2006 World Cup due to Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s injury, Pyatov didn’t play as Shovkovskyi recovered. He made his first senior international appearance on August 22, 2007, against Uzbekistan. Since 2008, Pyatov has been Ukraine’s first-choice goalkeeper. Notably, he was named the man of the match in a World Cup qualifier against Croatia, where he made several crucial saves against Luka Modrić.
Pyatov played for Ukraine’s U-21 team from 2004 to 2006, reaching the runner-up position in 2006. His standout performances, particularly in the U-21 European Championship qualification, contributed to Ukraine conceding only 11 goals in the competition.
In the 2016 European Championships, Pyatov was the starting goalkeeper for Ukraine, playing in all three group-stage games against Germany, Northern Ireland, and Poland. He also played in the 2021 European Championships, where Ukraine reached the quarter-finals but was eliminated by England.
Throughout his career, Andriy Pyatov has achieved a total of 288 clean sheets, with 241 for all the clubs he played for and 47 for his national team.
10. Allan McGregor
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 707 | 278 |
| National Team | 42 | 16 |
| TOTAL | 749 | 294 |
Allan McGregor secures the 10th spot among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football. A product of the Hutchison Vale youth football club in Edinburgh, McGregor began his career with Rangers, making his first-team debut in February 2002. He had loan spells at St Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic before becoming a regular in the Rangers first team in the 2006–07 season. McGregor played over 200 matches for Rangers, winning 11 major honors, including three league titles, three Scottish Cups, and five Scottish League Cups.
After the liquidation of Rangers in 2012, McGregor became a free agent and signed a two-year contract with Beşiktaş. He later moved to Hull City and then returned to Rangers in May 2018, signing a two-year contract. McGregor made his full international debut for Scotland in May 2007. However, he faced suspension from his club and was initially told he would never play for Scotland again after disciplinary issues in 2009. This ban was later overturned by Scotland manager Craig Levein, and McGregor went on to earn 42 caps for Scotland before announcing his retirement from international play in March 2019.
In his career, Allan McGregor has accumulated a total of 294 clean sheets, with 278 for all the clubs he played for and 16 for his national team.
9. Rui Patricio
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 706 | 253 |
| National Team | 107 | 53 |
| TOTAL | 813 | 302 |
Ranked 9th among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football is Rui Patricio. He is often nicknamed “São Patrício” (Saint Patrício) for his exceptional saves for both club and country.
Having emerged from Sporting CP’s youth academy, Patricio made his debut for the first team at the age of 18. Over 12 years with Sporting CP, he played in 467 official games, winning five trophies, including two Portuguese Cups. In 2018, he moved to England to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and then signed for Roma in 2021, winning the Europa Conference League in his first season with the Italian club.
Patricio earned his first cap for Portugal in 2010 under coach Paulo Bento, reaching his 100th cap in 2021. He represented Portugal in three World Cups and four European Championships, winning the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Throughout his career, Rui Patricio has achieved a total of 302 clean sheets, with 253 for all the clubs he played for and 53 for his national team.
8. Mickaël Landreau
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 784 | 300 |
| National Team | 11 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 795 | 309 |
Mickaël Landreau holds the 8th position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football. He is the record holder for Ligue 1 appearances, with 618 for Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, Lille, and Bastia between 1996 and 2014. Landreau achieved league title victories with Nantes in 2001 and Lille in 2011.
Despite being a long-term France international, Landreau primarily served as a backup. He was part of the French squads that won the Confederations Cup in 2001 and 2003 and reached the runner-up position at the 2006 World Cup, in addition to other tournament call-ups.
Throughout his career, Mickaël Landreau has secured a total of 309 clean sheets, with 300 for all the clubs he played for and 9 for his national team.
7. Hugo Lloris
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 725 | 248 |
| National Team | 145 | 63 |
| TOTAL | 870 | 311 |
Hugo Lloris secures the 7th position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football. Currently playing as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, Lloris is a three-time winner of the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Lloris began his career with hometown club OGC Nice, making his debut as a teenager in October 2005 and starting in goal during the team’s run to the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue Final. After three impressive seasons with Nice, Lloris moved to Olympique Lyonnais, winning several domestic awards in his first season and earning award nominations for his performances in the UEFA Champions League during his second season. He joined Tottenham in 2012 and played a key role in the team reaching the Champions League final in 2019.
A French international, Lloris represented his nation at under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels. He made his senior international debut in November 2008 and played a vital role in France’s qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Lloris captained the national team from 2010 and became the first-choice captain in 2012. He led France to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, runners-up at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Lloris is France’s most-capped player.
Throughout his career, Hugo Lloris has accumulated a total of 311 clean sheets, with 248 for all the clubs he played for and 63 for his national team.
6. Manuel Neuer
| Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|
| 870 | 353 |
| 870 | 353 |
Ranked 6th among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, is Manuel Neuer. He emerged from the youth ranks of FC Schalke 04, where he joined the first team in 2005. In 2011, he secured the DFB Cup with Schalke 04. Since 2011, Neuer has been with FC Bayern Munich, achieving significant success. He played a pivotal role in winning the triple of the German Football Championship, DFB Cup, and UEFA Champions League in 2013 and the “sextuple” in 2020, which included the German Football Championship, DFB Cup, UEFA Champions League, DFL Supercup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
With the German national team, Neuer became a world champion in Brazil in 2014. He took on the role of captain for the national team in September 2016 and became the team captain of FC Bayern Munich in the summer of 2017.
Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his time, Neuer is recognized for his innovative and offensive interpretation of the goalkeeper position. He was named IFFHS World Goalkeeper of the Year in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020, sharing the record with Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas. Neuer was also honored as FIFA World Goalkeeper of the Year in 2020 and has been voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year twice. Over his career, Manuel Neuer has achieved a total of 353 clean sheets.
5. Igor Akinfeev
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 752 | 314 |
| National Team | 111 | 48 |
| TOTAL | 863 | 362 |
Securing the 5th position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football is Igor Akinfeev. He has dedicated his entire career to CSKA, amassing over 700 official appearances. Notably, he has clinched six Russian Premier League titles, seven Russian Cups, and the UEFA Cup in 2005. Akinfeev holds the record for the most games played in the Russian top-level league, reaching 555 as of November 11, 2023.
As a full international for Russia from 2004 to 2018, he earned 111 caps and featured in their squads for four UEFA European Championships and two FIFA World Cups. Akinfeev was appointed captain of Russia in March 2017, succeeding Vasili Berezutski after his retirement. Akinfeev is a distinguished member of the Lev Yashin Club and boasts the highest number of clean sheets in Russian football among all goalkeepers.
Throughout his career, Igor Akinfeev has achieved a total of 362 clean sheets, with 314 for all the clubs he played for and 48 for his national team.
4. Petr Cech
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 782 | 341 |
| National Team | 125 | 56 |
| TOTAL | 907 | 397 |
Securing the 4th position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football is Petr Čech. He is a towering figure at 1.96 meters with a left foot and hand dominance. Starting his professional journey at FK Chmel Blšany at 17 after training at Viktoria Pilsen, Čech made a significant move to Stade Rennes in France in 2002 via Sparta Prague. Two years later, at the age of 22, he joined Chelsea FC in England, where he evolved into a world-class goalkeeper, earning the title of IFFHS World Goalkeeper of the Year in 2005.
Despite facing a skull fracture in October 2006, Čech made a remarkable comeback, donning a helmet that became his trademark. Over 11 years with Chelsea, he played 333 games in the Premier League, contributing to English championships in 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2015. He also played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s victories in the Champions League in 2012 and the Europa League in 2013. Following his time at Chelsea, Čech played for Arsenal FC from 2015 to 2019 before retiring at the age of 37.
A key figure for the Czech senior national team, Čech holds the record for the most appearances with 124 caps between 2002 and 2016. He participated in four European Championships (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016) and the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Post-retirement, Čech worked as a consultant for Chelsea FC from 2019 to 2022. Throughout his illustrious career, he amassed a total of 397 clean sheets, with 341 for all the clubs he played for and 56 for his national team.
3. Edwin van der Sar
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 821 | 368 |
| National Team | 130 | 72 |
| TOTAL | 951 | 440 |
Securing the 3rd position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, is Edwin van der Sar. He began his illustrious career at Ajax Amsterdam in the early 1990s. During his time at Ajax, he achieved significant success, winning four Dutch championships (1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998), the KNVB Cup three times (1993, 1998, and 1999), the UEFA Cup in 1992, and the Champions League in 1995.
In 1999, van der Sar moved abroad, briefly playing for Juventus Turin in Italy before finding his sporting home in the English Premier League from 2001 onwards. His most notable period of success came with Manchester United from 2005 to the end of his career in 2011. With the club, he secured four national titles (2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011), two League Cup victories (2006 and 2009), and the pinnacle of achievement, the Champions League in 2008.
Van der Sar represented the Dutch national team in three World Cups (1994, 1998, and 2006) and four European Championships (1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008). Until June 9, 2017, he held the record for the most appearances for the Dutch national team with 130 caps. Known for his technical and soccer skills, he was considered one of the best goalkeepers of his time and a prototype of a modern and “playful” goalkeeper.
Throughout his remarkable career, van der Sar accumulated a total of 440 clean sheets, with 368 for all the clubs he played for and 72 for his national team.
2. Iker Casillas
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 881 | 338 |
| National Team | 167 | 102 |
| TOTAL | 1048 | 440 |
Securing the 2nd position among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, is Iker Casillas. He had an illustrious career from 1997 to 2015 with Real Madrid. During his time with the club, he won the Primera División five times and the UEFA Champions League three times. Apart from his tenure at Real Madrid, Casillas played for FC Porto, where he also won a Portuguese championship.
Casillas represented the Spanish national team from 2000 to 2016. As the team captain, he led Spain to two UEFA European Championship titles (2008 and 2012) and the FIFA World Cup title in 2010. Casillas holds the distinction of being the only player to be named IFFHS World Goalkeeper of the Year five times in a row, from 2008 to 2012. He was also awarded the Golden Glove as the best World Cup goalkeeper in 2010 and is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in football history. In Madrid, he was affectionately given the nickname “San Iker” (Saint Iker). In March 2017, Casillas set a new appearance record with his 175th appearance in the European Cup.
Throughout his remarkable career, Iker Casillas accumulated a total of 440 clean sheets, with 338 for all the clubs he played for and 108 for his national team.
1. Gianluigi Buffon
| # | Matches | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | 975 | 429 |
| National Team | 176 | 77 |
| TOTAL | 1151 | 506 |
Securing the top spot among goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football, is Gianluigi Buffon. He had an exceptional professional career spanning 28 years. He holds records in Serie A and the Italian national team. Buffon began his career at Parma Calcio in 1995 and concluded it with the same club in 2023.
From 2001 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021, Buffon played for Juventus Turin, where he achieved numerous accolades, including ten Italian championships, making him the most successful player in Serie A history.
On the international stage, Buffon represented the Italian national team and served as captain for many years. He achieved the pinnacle of success by winning the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in football history, Buffon received numerous awards, including being voted IFFHS World Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2017. In 2017, he became the inaugural FIFA World Goalkeeper of the Year.
Throughout his illustrious career, Gianluigi Buffon amassed a total of 506 clean sheets, with 429 for all the clubs he played for and 77 for the Italian national team.
