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5 all-time toughest goalkeepers to beat in UEFA Champions League history

5 all-time toughest goalkeepers to beat in UEFA Champions League history

2018/19 UEFA Champions League season is set to kick off once again in few days. Real Madrid has lifted the trophy for the last three years in a row. However, Cristiano Ronaldo decision to join Juventus has changed the metrics. Barcelona, Manchester City, and PSG will want this trophy but Bayern Munich is looking very good as well. As we wait for the European drama to start, let us take a look at five all-time toughest goalkeepers to beat in UEFA Champions League history by clean sheets.

5. Victor Valdes- 45 Clean Sheets

Barcelona legend Victor Valdes announced his retirement in January 2018 after a stellar career in European football. The legendary goalkeeper won everything with the Catalans including 6 La Liga titles and 3 UEFA Champions League crowns. The last few years since he made the Manchester United move was not pretty for such a legend but it can’t dent his great achievements. In 115 appearances in Europe, he kept 45 clean sheets. This is an impressive record for a shot-stopper who was always underrated.

4. Petr Cech- 49 Clean Sheets

Petr Cech will always be celebrated for his achievements during his time at Chelsea because he was amazing. The Arsenal goalkeeper won all trophies available at Club level at Stamford Bridge. In 2012, he lifted the most elusive of them all, UEFA Champions League crown. He also lifted 4 Premier League titles as well as Europa League. In 123 European matches, the Czech International kept 49 Clean sheets. At Emirates, the story is all about Europa League as things stand now.

3. Gianluigi Buffon- 49 Clean Sheets

Italy legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon joined PSG this summer after leaving Juventus at the end of last season. This means he might still be able to extend his UEFA Champions League clean sheet record.

The 2006 World Cup winner is one of the most decorated shot-stoppers in the history of the game. The 40-year-old has lifted 11 Serie A titles but it is a shame that he never got a chance to lift UEFA Champions League or Europa League. In 160 appearances in European football, he kept 52 clean sheets.

2. Edwin Van Der Sar- 51 Clean Sheets

Netherlands football legend Edwin Van Der Sar will go down in history as one of the best in his generation. The former Manchester United, Ajax, Juventus and Fulham shot-stopper achieved everything a footballer dreams of during his great career. He lifted UEFA Champions League twice with Ajax and Red Devils. In 139 European club appearances, he kept 51 clean sheets. He held the record in Europe until his retirement in 2011 but Casillas has taken it over in the last few years.

1. Iker Casillas- 56 Clean Sheets

UEFA Champions League best goalkeeper of all-time by clean sheets is Iker Casillas. The Spaniard currently plays for Portuguese side FC Porto since 2015 when he left Real Madrid. However, it is at Santiago Bernabeu that he wrote his brightest chapter in football.