While attackers are evaluated by the number of goals they score, goalkeepers make a name for themselves by denying shots from getting through. A clean sheet is when a goalkeeper does not concede a single goal in a game, and here are the five keepers with the most clean sheets of the 21st century.
Gianluigi Buffon – 409 clean sheets
Buffon’s tally is expected to rise soon since the 43-year-old is still playing. He recently signed for Parma, and has won almost every trophy there is to win, except for the Champions League. He finished as runner-up thrice and is hailed as one of the greatest of all time.
Iker Casillas – 365 clean sheets
Casillas spent 20 years with Real Madrid, and was the captain of the Spain side that won two Euros and the 2010 World Cup. “Saint Iker” is considered the second-best keeper of the 21st century after Buffon.
Petr Cech – 365 clean sheets
The Chelsea legend helped the Blues to their first Champions League victory in 2012, and is arguably the best keeper the Premier League has ever seen. He finished his playing career with Arsenal, and has won the Golden Glove four times.
Pepe Reina – 354 clean sheets
Pepe Reina played most notably for Liverpool in the Premier League and was also part of the Spain squad that Casillas captained. He won the Golden Glove three times consecutively in the Premier League, and was brilliant in his prime.
Manuel Neuer – 335 clean sheets
Neuer was named the best keeper of the 2010s, and could climb up to second by the time he is done with his playing career. His footwork has completely changed the way the world looks at goalkeeping, and the Bayern captain is also one of the most successful players in the world, winning the Bundesliga nine times in a row.
