Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez has raised eyebrows with his choice when asked to name the greatest goalkeeper in football history. The Spaniard overlooked some of the more obvious contenders when asked various quick-fire questions by the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association).
On GiveMeSport’s list of the 25 greatest goalkeepers in football history, the mythical Lev Yashin occupies top spot. The former Soviet Union star, nicknamed ‘The Black Spider’, remains the only ‘keeper in history to have won the Ballon d’Or award.
Italian icon Gianluigi Buffon ranks second, followed by Germany’s Manuel Neuer, Spain legend Iker Casillas and ex-Bayern Munich and Germany star Oliver Kahn. Current Real Madrid and Belgium number one Thibaut Courtois currently sits just outside our top 10 but stands an excellent chance of forcing his way into the top spots by the time he retires.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with the Club World Cup Golden Glove award
However, the goalkeeper Sanchez believes is the best of all time is Manchester United’s David de Gea. The Spaniard has enjoyed a fine career and is up there among the Premier League’s greatest ever shot-stoppers - but the best of all time? It’s a bold shout.
Sanchez is clearly a huge fan of his compatriot. De Gea was also mentioned when Sanchez was asked to name his favourite goalkeeper growing up and best shot-stopper. High praise indeed. Watch the full clip below:
Fans were left puzzled by his choice of De Gea as football’s Goalkeeping GOAT. One commented on X: “He has to be joking,” while another tweeted:
“First interview of his career and he fumbled.”
A third fan said, somewhat harshly: “I think he had a concussion,” and another wrote: “Had a shocker without even playing!” A fifth X user said: “Drug test him. De Gea is a great goalkeeper but Buffon?”
United Legend De Gea Has Endured Tough Few Years
David de Gea in action for Fiorentina at Old Trafford
De Gea was a fabulous goalkeeper for the vast majority of his 12-year spell at Manchester United. It took it time to settle, but it wasn’t long before he cemented his status as one of the world’s best ‘keepers.
A four-time winner of Manchester United’s Player’s Player of the Year award, De Gea was named in the PFA’s team of the Year on five occasions.
However, De Gea’s performance-levels dipped significantly towards the end of his United spell and he spent an entire year without a club after leaving in 2023. The 35-year-old returned to football with Serie A outfit Fiorentina in 2024 but is no longer widely regarded as one of the world’s truly elite ‘keepers.