IFFHS WORLD GOALKEEPERS OF THE XXIst CENTURY (2001-2020) - BUFFON LEADS THE RANKING
Picture : Gianluigi Buffon won already 5 IFFHS Annual World Awards !
BUFFON LEADS THE RANKING IN THE XXI th CENTURY
The determination of the World's Best Goalkeeper ranking for the 20 first years of the XXIst Century (1.1.2001 to 31.12.2020) carried out analogous as those of The World's Best Goalkeeper of the Decade, so there is a uniform system for the future. From the annual world ranking of the Goalkeepers (as a result of the world vote) the IFFHS will take into consideration the "Top 20" for each year and allocate points to each place. So the first-placed receives 20 points, the second-placed 19 points, the third-placed 18 points... and a point for twentieth place. If the annual world ranking comprises more than 20 goalkeepers, then the goalkeepers from 21st place receive no points. If the annual world ranking comprises fewer than 20 goalkeepers (based on the fixed rules), no points will be awarded for the unoccupied places. Adding the points from the individual years provides a world ranking for the period 2001-2020.
The first-placed goalkeeper of this final ranking for the period is the leader of The World‘s Best Goalkeeper of the XXIst Century (2001-2020).
It is no surprise to find Gianluigi Buffon as THE LEADER of THE WORLD’S BEST MAN GOALKEEPER RANKING OF THE XXIst CENTURY 2001-2020. The Italian Legend was first in the first Decade (2001-2010) ranking and second in the second Decade (2011-2020) ranking ! He leads sovereign before Iker Casillas, winner like Buffon and Neuer of 5 IFFHS yearly Awards and Petr Cech, who won one yearly Award and figured in the Top 5 during 12 years ! Manuel Neuer, crowned as THE WORLD’S BEST GOALKEEPER of the Second Decade (2011-2020) , takes rang 4 in the Century ranking before Thibaut Courtois.
| Name | Country | Points |
| Gianluigi BUFFON | Italy | 330 |
| Iker CASILLAS | Spain | 244 |
| Petr CECH | Czech Republic | 218 |
| Manuel NEUER | Germany | 183 |
| Thibaut COURTOIS | Belgium | 130 |
| Victor VALDES | Spain | 113 |
| Hugo LLORIS | France | 106 |
| Edwin VAN DER SAR | Netherlands | 105 |
| Oliver KAHN | Germany | 99 |
| Keylor NAVAS | Costa Rica | 93 |
| DIDA | Brazil | 90 |
| Jan OBLAK | Slovenia | 85 |
| Marc TER STEGEN | Germany | 78 |
| David DE GEA | Spain | 75 |
| Jens LEHMANN | Germany | 72 |
| Roberto C. ABBONDANZIERI | Argentina | 68 |
| ALLISON Becker | Brazil | 64 |
| Julio CESAR | Brazil | 63 |
| Fabien BARTHEZ | France | 55 |
| Jose Manuel REINA | Spain | 54 |