442 rank Top 10 goalkeepers of the 21st century: Buffon tops, Casillas 2nd
442 rank Top 10 goalkeepers of the 21st century: Buffon tops, Casillas 2nd with Cech, Neuer & David de Gea in.
The modern-day master may have produced his very finest form in his early days at Juventus, but maintained that level for a long time – and that there have been so few career low points, is what makes him the very best.
Even what should have been considered the nadir of his career – Juve's relegation to Serie B after Calciopoli during Italy's World Cup-winning year of 2006 – eventually contributed to his reputation. The loyalty he showed to remain in Turin and help the club rediscover their place among Europe's leading teams confirmed his place as a legend with Juventus fans.
His incredible longevity has more than justified Juve spending what was then a divisive world-record €52m for a goalkeeper in 2001. Buffon's 176 Italy caps also represent a record, and convincingly surpass the previous Italian record of 111 once held by the brilliant Dino Zoff.
There will always be those who feel that Casillas was superior to Buffon while the Spaniard was at his peak. Casillas was the one who, in 2000, became a Champions League winner just days after his 19th birthday. He was also crucial to Spain's victories at two European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012. Yet his decline – which had begun well before he left Real Madrid for Porto in 2015 – felt premature.
Casillas's leadership and the inspirational saves he was capable of producing – from Arjen Robben in the 2010 World Cup Final is as defining as any – were his greatest strengths.
The goalkeeper who made way for Buffon at Juventus, Van der Sar made a surprise move to Fulham in 2001, but it was his transfer to Manchester United in 2005 that truly
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