As 32 nations across the globe await for Russia's edition of the FIFA World Cup 2018, one will leave their mark in the history, lifting the trophy on July 15. Though this beautiful game is all about teamwork, individual performance too will have a key role in defying the odds.
Until the kick off on June 14, all we have is expectations. But on the basis of the fan base and their past performances, we bring you the top 5 goalkeepers who could have an edge over others this summer in Russia.
Video: Manuel Neuer epic saves
Manuel Neuer captains both Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. Known for his quick reflexes, excellent shot-stopping abilities, strength, accurate control and distribution of the ball Neuer has been described as a "sweeper-keeper". Standing 6'4'' tall, Neuer is the fastest Bundesliga player to reach 100 clean sheets in 2017.
Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world, he has won the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award for four consecutive years between 2013 to 2016. In 2014, Neuer became one the third players of the 21st century to finish in the top 3 for the Ballon d'Or race, after Buffon (2006) and Oliver Khan (2001 & 02). He finished third in the voting, behind Lionel Messi (15.76%) and Cristiano Ronaldo (37.66%) for the Ballon d'Or race.
Neuer won the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper in the tournament. In 2009, he debuted for the senior German squad, playing in Germany's tour of Asia.
Video: David de Gea top 10 saves
David de Gea, regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world at current, plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the Spain national team. The 27-year old began his career at 13 before his senior debut in 2009. De Gea emerged as a hero, helping Atletico win both the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2010. In June 2011, he was traded to Manchester United for £18.9 million, a British record for a goalkeeper at the time.
With Manchester United, he has won a Premier League title, an FA Cup, a League Cup, three Community Shields and the UEFA Europea League. de Gea became the first player in the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year history to win on three successive occasions (2013/14, 2014/15 & 2015-16). Since joining United in 2011, in a total of 235 appearances, he has recorded 92 clean sheets, 137 wins, and 46 losses.
In 2014, de Gea was selected for Spain's 30-man squad for the 2014 World Cup. On June 8, 2014, he made his first senior international appearance against El Salvador in a 2-0 friendly.
Video: Hugo Lloris best saves in the 2017-18 season
Hugo Lloris, the captain of both English club Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the French football team is described as a goalkeeper who "boasts lightning reflexes and good decision-making" and is "a formidable opponent in one-on-one situations". He has won the National Union of Professional Footballers Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year award. As of April 2018, he has 73 clean sheets in a total of 203 appearances for Tottenham.
In November 2008, Lloris made his senior international debut, in a friendly against Uruguay. He helped the national team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the same year he captioned his national team for the first time.
Video: Thibaut Courtois best saves ever
Thibaut Courtois is the Belgian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Chelsea and the Belgium national team. In July 2011, he joined Chelsea for a reported £8 million and was loaned to Atletico Madrid. He won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper in La Liga for his performances, winning the Europa League in 2012, the Copa del Rey in 2013 and the La Liga title in 2014. In July 2014, he returned to Chelsea, helping the team to lift the League Cup and the Premier League title in his first season.
In October 2011, Courtois made his senior international debut, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent Belgium. He has since earned over 50 caps and represented the national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
Courtois played in every minute during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, helping the national side qualify for its first major tournament since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. During the campaign, he had six clean sheets out of 10 matches.
Since joining Chelsea in 2011, he has recorded 47 clean sheets in 124 appearances.
Video: Ederson Moraes best saves (2017-18 season)
Ederson Moraes, the Premier League club Manchester City and Brazilian national team goalkeeper is one of the most expensive goalkeepers of all time in terms of the nominal value of pound sterling at the time of his transfer. At the end of the 2016-17 season, he joined Manchester City from Benfica for £35 million.
Shortly after joining City, he was inserted as Pep Guardiola's first choice goalkeeper, succeeding Claudio Bravo. He made his debut for the team on August 12, 2017, in a 0-2 away win at Brighton, where he kept a clean sheet. Since joining the English club, he has made 35 appearances and has recorded 15 clean sheets.
For the national senior team, he debuted in a 3-0 win over Chile in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in October 2017.
