Who is the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets ever? Top 10 rankings in football history

The goalkeeper is considered the most important position in football, as they must protect the goal at all costs and prevent opponents from scoring. Therefore, the higher the number of clean sheets, the more it reflects a goalkeeper’s shot-stopping ability and consistency. In this article, nowgoalpro.net presents a list of the 10 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football history.

10 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets ever

Before we begin, please note that these figures are compiled from data gathered from various sources, and the numbers may differ slightly from other records.

1. Fábio, Brazil - 508+ clean sheets

Leading the list is Fluminense goalkeeper Fábio, who is currently playing in the Brazilian league. At 46 years old, Fábio shows no signs of slowing down. He recently extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2026 season and remains the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. In 2025, Fábio broke two major records, becoming the player with the most appearances, currently exceeding 1,400 matches, and the most clean sheets, with more than 508 shutouts across his career.

2. Gianluigi Buffon, Italy - 506 clean sheets

Second on the list is Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon, who recorded 506 clean sheets during his career. Buffon began his professional journey at Parma in 1995 before moving to Juventus, where he spent more than 17 years. He later played for Paris Saint-Germain, returned to Juventus, and finished his career back at Parma at the age of 43.

Across club and international football, Buffon played around 1,000 matches and won numerous trophies. His most notable achievement came in the 2006 World Cup, where he was the starting goalkeeper for Italy and conceded only two goals throughout the tournament, one from a penalty and one from an own goal.

3. Iker Casillas, Spain - 440 clean sheets

Spanish icon Iker Casillas spent most of his career at Real Madrid, where he won many major titles. At international level, Casillas captained Spain during their golden era, leading the team to three consecutive major trophies: two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup. With 440 clean sheets in around 900 matches, Casillas is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of the modern era.

4. Edwin van der Sar, Netherlands - 439 clean sheets

Just behind Casillas is Edwin van der Sar, the legendary former Manchester United goalkeeper. Early in his career, van der Sar enjoyed success in the Netherlands, winning four Eredivisie titles and a Champions League trophy. Later, at Manchester United, he continued to collect silverware, including Premier League titles and another Champions League. Although he did not win any major trophies with the Dutch national team, van der Sar’s 439 clean sheets in more than 700 matches remain an outstanding achievement.

5. Petr Čech, Czech Republic - 399 clean sheets

Petr Čech is another Premier League legend, having spent most of his career at Chelsea and Arsenal. He played a crucial role in Chelsea’s 2004/05 Premier League title, conceding just 15 goals that season. Čech also won the Champions League in 2011/12 and the Europa League in 2012/13.

While his trophy haul with Arsenal and the Czech national team was more limited, Čech earned numerous individual awards and consistently performed at the highest level.

6. Manuel Neuer, Germany - 393+ clean sheets

One of the few active players on the list, Manuel Neuer continues his career despite approaching 40 years of age. Even in the later stages of his career, Neuer retains key strengths such as quick reflexes and excellent ball control. He has been a vital figure in Bayern Munich’s domestic dominance, two Champions League triumphs, and Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory. If he continues playing, Neuer may climb even higher in the rankings.

7. Pepe Reina, Spain - 371+ clean sheets

Pepe Reina began his professional career in 2000 after being promoted to Barcelona’s first team. He later played for clubs including Villarreal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Napoli before retiring at Como in 2025. Over a 25-year career, Reina accumulated a large number of clean sheets, ranking seventh on this list, despite not being Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper for most of his international career.

8. Igor Akinfeev, Russia - 370+ clean sheets

Igor Akinfeev is another goalkeeper still active at the top level. At 39, he continues to play for CSKA Moscow, one of Russia’s most successful clubs. This season, he has made 14 appearances and kept three clean sheets, which could see him move further up the rankings. Akinfeev has spent his entire professional career at CSKA Moscow since 2003, although his future with the club remains uncertain as his contract nears its end.

9. Ray Clemence, England - 360+ clean sheets

The only English goalkeeper on the list, Ray Clemence spent the majority of his career at Liverpool. During that time, he helped the club win five First Division titles and three European Cups. He later joined Tottenham Hotspur and added a UEFA Cup to his honours. At international level, Clemence earned more than 60 caps for England, although the team did not secure any major trophies during his career.

10. Dino Zoff, Italy - 350+ clean sheets

Rounding out the list is Italian legend Dino Zoff, who played during one of Italy’s most successful periods. He won the 1982 World Cup and previously lifted the European Championship in 1968. At club level, Zoff collected multiple Serie A titles and a UEFA Cup. After retiring, he moved into coaching and later guided Italy to the Euro 2000 final. Zoff still holds the record as the oldest player to appear in and win a World Cup final, at 40 years, 4 months, and 13 days.

These are the 10 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in football history. All are considered legends of the game, representing consistency, longevity, and excellence at the highest level. For more football news and interesting articles, follow NowGoal Pro.