Top ten World Cup goalkeepers

By Brian Lofrumento | 30th November 2009

Top ten World Cup goalkeepers | read this item

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With the World Cup 2010 draw fast approaching, Premiership Talk takes a look back at some of the World Cup’s best ever goalkeepers. The team over at World Cup Odds has compiled a shortlist of ten of the tournament’s best ever keepers, and now it’s up to you, the fans, to decide who the winner is. Here are some of the nominees:

Dino Zoff (Italy)

Zoff holds the distinct record of being the oldest player to ever win the World Cup, and his role in the 1982 tournament is certainly record-worthy. Zoff led the Italians to the world’s biggest trophy with his strong displays in net, and Dino was named the third best goalkeeper of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. His World Cup victory, coupled with the fact that he was captain, means that this is one goalkeeper that will never be forgotten.

Gordon Banks (England)

With this guy in goal, it was said that the English nets were “safe as the Banks of England.” English fans will have a very fond memory of Banks as he was the guy behind their only World Cup success ever. In 1966 Banks was meticulous in goal, and his good form even prompted Pele to name him as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers. Pele knows best when it comes to Banks, as the Brazilian was denied by Gordon in one of the finest saves of all time.

Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

Gigi, as he’s known by the Azzurri, holds the distinct honor of being the most expensive goalkeeper ever. A Juventus favorite, Buffon led Italy to global success in the 2006 World Cup as he cemented his place in goalkeeping folklore. Buffon has been touted as the world’s best goalkeeper for some time now, but with his advancing years this could be his final hurrah.

Lev Yashin (USSR)

Yashin was so good that his name still lives on, even in the modern game. The best goalkeeper at each World Cup receives the Yashin Award in honor of this keeper, and Yashin’s three World Cup appearances proved his strength. He may not have taken home a World Cup trophy for himself, but Yashin’s performances in the 1958 tournament are still remembered by many today.

Fabian Barthez (France)

Premier League fans will surely remember this guy. The bald eccentric man from France had some brilliant moments for Manchester United in the Premiership, but his tendency to lose his mind led to a quiet exit from the club. For France Barthez has experienced more of the same, but he was certainly on his game en route to the 1998 trophy when he strung together consistently excellent performances.

See the rest of the nominees and vote for your choice over at the official World Cup Odds website, an excellent resource for World Cup betting.