Who is the world's best goalkeeper?

[NickyViola]

Well, no shiznit.

[man_in_the_middle]

Buffon

[Bonus_Game]

Buffon and Casillas by a mile. Buffon is a smarter goaltender and can organize the defense expertly, while Casillas is a sick shot-stopper.

Cech is the most overrated player in world football.

[Hendrixforpope]

What do you people consider to be the prime age for a world-class goalkeeper?

Buffon (barely ahead of Iker)
Casillas
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.
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Everyone else

[Leeds92]

Buffon without any doubt.

Out of interest what is everyones opinion of
Mark Schwarzer (Austraila)
David James

Interested to know a non aussie opinion of MS.
James was nominated as one of the EPL players of the year...

[Grinners89]

Buffon without any doubt.

Out of interest what is everyones opinion of
Mark Schwarzer (Austraila)
David James

Interested to know a non aussie opinion of MS.
James was nominated as one of the EPL players of the year...

From an Aussie perspective...he has saved us in many of the WC qualifiers recently and has been our most consistent and best player since the last WC. Fulham have certainly picked up a very good player who is still very fit and looking to play for 2-3 more years. Schwarzer's only weakness is from crosses. Although since the last WC that has improved dramatically. His recent form for the NT has also been amazing...i think we have conceded 1 goal under new coach Pim Verbeek from 6 or 7 matches and the one goal was a cross-cum-shot which lobbed Schwarzer who was actually in perfect position to intercept a cross.

[dor02]

James can be erratic and looks like an utterly ridiculous version of Craig Foster but on his day, he is one of the best shot-stoppers in the EPL.

Schwarzer too can have off days but he is more reliable than James. Like Grinners89 said, he has saved the Socceroos on many occassions.

This Euro has so far proved that Cech is not as good as Buffon. How about those howlers against Turkey? Buffon and Italy had a very off day against Holland but how about his save from Mutu's penalty? Greatest penalty save ever!

[shalom82]

i like Iker very much, and despite his euro 2008 form, I still think Cech is one of the best, and after these two I rate Frey and Julio Cesar very highly (and I think Cesar will still improve).

But IMO Buffon will go down as one of the best goalies in history. He's far less spectacular than Casillas, but he's got "it" factor. The guy is a titan between posts.

[Joep]

hmm...I read back four or five pages but never once encountered the name of van der Sar. He was outstanding for Holland these euro's.

[Milo39]

hmm...I read back four or five pages but never once encountered the name of van der Sar. He was outstanding for Holland these euro's.
Yeah, I saw that and I was thinking "wtf". How can you put Van der sar over Casillas and Buffon? Buffon's penalty save against Romania was incredible and kept them in Euro 2008. And Casillas, those saves in the penalty shootout against Italy were amazing.

[KumarsS]

The Buffon-Casillas debate is too close to call objectively, I think, but even after Casillas' side wins the Euros and San Iker saves one more penalty than Gigi in the shootout, I can't help but think Buffon is the guy I'd rather have in my side.

[Joep]

Yeah, I saw that and I was thinking "wtf". How can you put Van der sar over Casillas and Buffon? Buffon's penalty save against Romania was incredible and kept them in Euro 2008. And Casillas, those saves in the penalty shootout against Italy were amazing.

uhm..there's more to good goal keeping than stopping penalties, you know?

Van der Sar's experience (same goes for Iker and Buffon of course), his ability to keep the ball in play with his feet rather than just punting it forward, not to forget he is a very complete shot stopper without any real weaknesses. Iker and Buffon are amazing, but so is van der Sar and I would not necessarily put him over any of the other two, but to me he is certainly up there.

[Hendrixforpope]

The difference between Buffon and Iker is similar to the difference between Federer and Nadal on grass (for any of you tennis people). Buffon (Federer) probably still has the edge but Casillas (Nadal) has closed the gap considerably.

[Cool Rob]

I would go with Buffon any time, day, or place, maybe more than anyone since Schemchiel (sp) or Zoff. THAT save said it all- I find it hard to believe that posters are trying to downplay it. Great goalies let you win games you have no business winning.

About Casillas, my number 2, he brought a new mental strength to a Spanish team that didn't have it before, groundbreaking for Spain. I think Spain's confidence came from him, as opposed to the old Raul choke days. With Senna in front of a very suspect defense and Casillas behind it Spain was amazing.

[Hendrixforpope]

I would go with Buffon any time, day, or place, maybe more than anyone since Schemchiel (sp) or Zoff. THAT save said it all- I find it hard to believe that posters are trying to downplay it. Great goalies let you win games you have no business winning.

About Casillas, my number 2, he brought a new mental strength to a Spanish team that didn't have it before, groundbreaking for Spain. I think Spain's confidence came from him, as opposed to the old Raul choke days. With Senna in front of a very suspect defense and Casillas behind it Spain was amazing.

Which save? Surely not the Mutu penalty save?

You're second paragraph pretty much proves why Casillas is the best in the world...or maybe the most important keeper in the world in terms of what he does for his respective club and/or country (that may be a better way to put it).

[jerrito]

About Casillas, my number 2, he brought a new mental strength to a Spanish team that didn't have it before, groundbreaking for Spain. I think Spain's confidence came from him, as opposed to the old Raul choke days. With Senna in front of a very suspect defense and Casillas behind it Spain was amazing.

That is exactly what I thought about his performance in the Euro.

[marvellous]

Gigi Buffon y Casillas are the best goalkeepers in the world

[pepinointer]

Buffon but casillas at this moment is better than him

[Hendrixforpope]

Buffon but casillas at this moment is better than him

You say Buffon is the world's best goalkeeper but then say Casillas is better at the moment? Doesn't that make Casillas the best in the world? :confused:

[pepinointer]

You say Buffon is the world's best goalkeeper but then say Casillas is better at the moment? Doesn't that make Casillas the best in the world? :confused:

but when buffon is in a 100% is better, i think that the italian is passing for a bad moment.