Begovic's list spotlights five world‑class goalkeepers amid European acclaim

Inside the bustling press box at Anfield, former Premier League winner Asmir Begovic surveyed the crowd before unveiling his pick of the five best goalkeepers in world football right now. The former Chelsea and Everton stopper, who joined VAVEL in April 2024, used the moment to champion a selection that spans Italy, Spain, France, England and Germany.

Career path that informs the verdict

Begovic arrived at VAVEL after a stint as Deputy Editor‑in‑Chief, where he produced content ranging from press‑conference transcripts to match reports. His tenure earned him an award for leading the Women’s Football section, underscoring his breadth of coverage across the sport.

His reporting résumé reads like a tour of Europe’s iconic venues: he has worked at Anfield, Old Trafford and Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, and he was on the ground for both the 2023 men’s and women’s Champions League finals in Eindhoven and Istanbul.

The five keepers on Begovic’s radar

Begovic placed AC Milan’s French shot‑stopper Mike Maignan at the summit, praising his 30 percent career penalty‑save rate and a debut season that yielded 17 clean sheets in 32 matches, a Best Goalkeeper award and a Serie A title.

He followed with Jan Oblak, lauded for thriving under pressure at Atletico Madrid and for six La Liga Zamora trophies, alongside a Europa League and UEFA Super Cup triumph.

Gianluigi Donnarumma earned a spot for his wingspan‑driven reliability at Manchester City, his role in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph and his contribution to Paris Saint‑Germain’s first Champions League win.

The list also featured David Raya, whose Premier League Golden Glove with Brentford preceded a permanent move to Arsenal, and Thibaut Courtois, whose nine‑save Man of the Match performance in the 2022 Champions League final cemented his reputation.

Notably, Begovic omitted Alisson, Emiliano Martínez and Joan Garcia, while suggesting Jordan Pickford sits just outside his top five.

His selections reflect a belief that the current era may be the richest ever for number‑one talent, a view shaped by his extensive coverage of both men’s and women’s football across Europe.