IFFHS Declares Gianluigi Buffon the Best Goalkeeper in 25 Years (Part 1)
International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has declared Italy and Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon the best goalkeeper in last 25 years.
The much anticipated list was revealed only recently and Juventus' custodian topped the rankings with 197 votes to his name. The top 10 goalkeepers according to the list are as follows:
1. Gianluigi Buffon (Parma FC, Juventus FC and Italy):
Gigi, as he is often called by his fans, is widely considered to be the best goalkeeper ever to have played this beautiful game. The former Parma youth player was signed by Juventus for a reported 32.6 million pounds in 2001.
The custodian has been an absolute legend for Bianconeri as he has won Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year titles in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008 while also being voted IFFHS' Best Goalkeeper for the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
2. Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United, Sporting CP, Aston Villa and Denmark):
Schmeichel had a truly glamorous career with Denmark and Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson made the biggest bargain signing in English Premier League history as he bought the gloves man for 530,000 pounds in 1991.
The Red Devils’ legend won the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award four times between 1992 and 1998 while also being voted the IFFHS Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years in 1992 and 1993.
3. Edwin van der Sar (Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United and Netherlands):
The evergreen Van der Sar is still going strong for Manchester United at the age of 39. The Dutchman was voted UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009, a fact that bears testimony to his legendary status. Van der Sar also won the same award in 1995.
4. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid and Spain):
Casillas has been the first choice for both Spain and Real Madrid for so long that memories of other custodians keeping for the two sides have withered. Casillas has won everything there is to win at both the club and International level. He captained La
Furia Roja to Euro and World cup glory while also winning the UEFA Champions League on two occasions.
The goalkeeper won the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper award for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009. At a relatively young age of 29, he is set to have a long and trophy laden future with Jose Mourinho.
5. Oliver Kahn (Karlsruher SC, Bayern Munich and Germany):
Oliver Kahn is undoubtedly one of the best glovesmen in German football history. The player was an inspirational leader for men both with Germany and Bayern Munich. The fiery German had a tremendous career as he retired at the age of 40 after winning cabinets
full of trophies.
The German number 1 led his nation to the World Cup final in 2002 and even won the Yashin award for his heroics then. Unfortunately, Germany lost to a Ronaldo inspired Brazil in the final and Kahn had to retire without an International trophy. The player
won UEFA's Best Goalkeeper award for consecutive terms from 1999 to 2002.
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