3 of the Best Goalkeepers in the World

A good goalkeeper can mean the difference between success and failure for a team. Here is a look at 3 of the best goalkeepers in the world

1.  Manuel Neuer (Germany & Bayern Munich)

An excellent 2010/11 season for Schalke prompted Bayern Munich to splurge a reported US$26 million on the player, with another $10 million dependant on performances. Many Bayern supporters felt that the club had overspent on a player whose contract was due to expire in 2012, when he would have been available for free. Neuer, though, has silenced his critics and was the best goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup as Germany won the tournament for the first time since 1990.

2.  Thibaut Courtois (Belgium & Chelsea)

Courtois plays with confidence beyond his tender years and pulled off some truly remarkable saves after joining Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea in 2012. Injury permitting, Courtois will be one of the very best goalkeepers in the world for the next 10 or 15 years and was key to the Spanish outfit winning their first La Liga title since 1996. The Belgian returned to Stamford Bridge after that 2014 title win.

3.  Gianluigi Buffon (Italy & Juventus)

A World Cup winner in 2006, Buffon is considered by many observers as the best goalkeeper of the last decade alongside Casillas. The Juventuscustodian has few weaknesses and remains the most expensive goalkeeper in the world following his 2001 move from Parma to Juve. Now well into his 30s, injuries may be taking their toll on Buffon, but he remains an important presence for club and country.

The position of goalkeeper is the loneliest on the field, with long spells of inactivity. But when Gianluigi Buffon is bored, he can at least reflect on the multitude of individual and team honors he has won since making his debut as a 17-year-old for Parma.

The likeable Juventus and Italy custodian is one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and humble to go with it. Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year on no fewer than eight occasions, he and Real Madrid's Iker Casillas stand together as arguably the best in their position since the turn of the century, both blessed with that ability to make a key save when otherwise unemployed.

Quick Facts:

Name: Gianluigi Buffon

Nationality: Italian

Date and Place of Birth: January 28, 1978 in Carrara, Italy

Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Juventus (Serie A)

Previous Club: Parma (1995-2001)

International Career: 1997 to present

The Early Years:

After joining Parma at the age of 13 and appearing for the club's youth sides, Buffon made his debut in November 2009 - a 0-0 draw against AC Milan.

Buffon went on to play 168 matches in six seasons at the Ennio Tardini, winning an Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup and the UEFA Cup.

Playing behind such stalwarts as Fabio Cannavaro and Lilian Thuram in the days when Parma spent lavishly on some of the world's finest players, the club regularly finished in the upper echelons of Serie A.