Best I’ve ever seen.
"Neuer is the best goalkeeper ever" - Jamie Redknapp
- Thread starter JamesB__
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Definitely best I've ever seen. There are equally good shot stoppers but none better. His dominance of the box is only matched by Schmeichel and Kahn and then you add his on the ball abilities and I just can't see how there is a more accomplished GK.
Wow, who would be your top 5?
The biggest compliment you can give such a keeper is anyone putting him in their all-time xi won't be questioned for the decision.
Only watch bundesliga eh
At worst he's in top-3 of all-time. It's fine margins between him, Buffon and Yashin and I'd completely understand anyone who'd say that he's the best. Heck, I'd probably put him first in my own list as well — there were some (not many) better shot-stoppers but as a complete package...
Didn't think it was outrageous when he said it and I still don't. It being said 9 years ago, however, is much more of a shock 
Yep, the best of all time, as far as I am concerned as well. Proven at the most illustrious stages of the sport (Champions League and the World Cup for the modern period), ridiculously complete wrt. what he could do and how he affected the game at large, has longevity on his side by now, suited to lots of different tactical approaches, and seemed to radiate a palpable aura (which made him such a daunting presense in goal).
That being said, Lev Yashin (a class apart during his era and goalkeeping characteristics largely hold up versus modern counterparts) and Gianluigi Buffon (the finest goalkeeping stopper of all time, with the most consistent fundamentals) are both equally worthy of the No. 1 position, so you can't begrudge folk who place them atop their personal lists.
The likes of Peter Schmeichel, Dino Zoff, Oliver Kahn, Peter Shiton or Edwin van der Sar, as great as they were, are all a tier (or at least ½ a tier) below, methinks.
That being said, Lev Yashin (a class apart during his era and goalkeeping characteristics largely hold up versus modern counterparts) and Gianluigi Buffon (the finest goalkeeping stopper of all time, with the most consistent fundamentals) are both equally worthy of the No. 1 position, so you can't begrudge folk who place them atop their personal lists.
The likes of Peter Schmeichel, Dino Zoff, Oliver Kahn, Peter Shiton or Edwin van der Sar, as great as they were, are all a tier (or at least ½ a tier) below, methinks.
Best I've ever seen. Most complete definitely.
Yashin aside, since I've never seen even a full match of his, I think Neuer gets a bit of stick in comparison to Buffon because of his style of play and people think he makes a lot of errors coming out for the ball. Honestly though, I don't remember any high profile instances of him making errors costing goals coming out of his box (don't know if there is a stat to verify this).
The one people remember is his error v South Korea but people miss the context that Germany were already losing 1-0 in that last minute of the game so losing 2-0 wouldn't have made any difference, therefore coming all that way was a last hope to get a goal.
As you’re quite good with these lists, I was wondering where you’d put Sepp Maier.
If we'd have played Schalke in the quarter finals and not the semis, we might have signed him in 2011. I remember at the time Fergie was very impressed with him, but he'd agreed with Bayern by that point.
Crazy that Bayern got him and Lewandowski on free transfers.
Also not true.
Am I misremembering that? Given it's a long time ago but I remember his contract was expiring at Schalke when we beat them in the Champions League.
Edit: Yeah turns out there was the subtle difference of being one of the most expensive keepers ever at that point rather than a free. I must have created a memory in my head.
We bought him for 30 millions, according to Transfermarkt. Though that’s likely to be the final sum with all add ons.
He was quite expensive for a keeper at that time.
David James beat him in hairstyle though
For what it's worth, I'm not particularly good with these lists, I just express my non-objective view (which can be hit and miss even at at the best of times).
Sepp Maier is someone I would not rate as highly as others, and, in contrast with peers like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller (who exceeded all expectations and are more than worthy of their reputations), he was not as impressive as I thought he was going to be as a would-be greatest-of-all-time candidate.
In terms of ranking, edge of the Top 10 seems like an intuitive landing spot, a decent compromise — decidedly below Neuer and Kahn for German goalkeepers, and close to the likes of Rinat Dasayev or Gyula Grosics in an All-Time sense.
P.S. Jürgen Croy was the polar opposite, in that he exceeded expectations and was more impressive than I thought he was going to be. Not much between him and Maier, albeit from limited viewing.
There's the Stanković goal, of course... which happened an eternity ago, while Neuer was still at Schalke. And while it was a mistake, it wasn't a drastic one, there weren't that many players around that would've been able to convert that chance and it just so happened that Inter had one (he had scored a similar goal in Serie A). And I think that's about it for Neuer, at least if we count high profile mistakes.
Yep that comes first to mind but I honestly don't consider that a big error, as you say. It was a mind-blowing goal from Stankovic, a waist high first-time volley from the half-way line
I thought Neuer did well to clear the ball that far!Nah, your lists tend to be the best ones. Or they just match my taste the most. Who knows.For what it's worth, I'm not particularly good with these lists, I just express my non-objective view (which can be hit and miss even at at the best of times).
Sepp Maier is someone I would not rate as highly as others, and, in contrast with peers like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller (who exceeded all expectations and are more than worthy of their reputations), he was not as impressive as I thought he was going to be as a would-be greatest-of-all-time candidate.
In terms of ranking, edge of the Top 10 seems like an intuitive landing spot, a decent compromise — decidedly below Neuer and Kahn for German goalkeepers, and close to the likes of Rinat Dasayev or Gyula Grosics in an All-Time sense.
P.S. Jürgen Croy was the polar opposite, in that he exceeded expectations and was more impressive than I thought he was going to be. Not much between him and Maier, albeit from limited viewing.
Thanks for your opinion here. Another interesting read. And I wouldn’t have expected Croy to make an appearance on here. Great mention.
People forget how good Cláudio Taffarel was.
Since the last posts here in 2017 he had a mixed time of it, he was awful in the 2018 World Cup, not great in the next one either and had that big error in the Champions League semi-final last year too. But had a good game up until that. But the 2020 Champions League final, he was probably man of the match and that cemented his legacy.
The 2014 World Cup was still the most impressive goalkeeping tournament I've ever seen, allowed Germany to play a completely different way with his sweeping, but also in traditional keeping when needed like against France. However, he did get away with a very dodgy refereeing decision in the final that would have changed his legacy, he completely flattened Higuain in the box, could have been a penalty and a sending off. If he costs Germany that World Cup, then you wonder how people remember him.
The 2014 World Cup was still the most impressive goalkeeping tournament I've ever seen, allowed Germany to play a completely different way with his sweeping, but also in traditional keeping when needed like against France. However, he did get away with a very dodgy refereeing decision in the final that would have changed his legacy, he completely flattened Higuain in the box, could have been a penalty and a sending off. If he costs Germany that World Cup, then you wonder how people remember him.
The greatest I’ve ever seen and likely the greatest of all time. I doubt the quality of Yashin comes close no matter how big of a legend he is.
Neuer has also surpassed Buffon, Kahn etc.
Neuer has also surpassed Buffon, Kahn etc.
Don't think he was poor in 2018 at all and again are influenced by the second South Korean goal, his post shot xG was higher than actual goals conceded so he saved more goals than expected. The error for the second Korean goal would be like blaming a keeper for coming up for a corner in the last minute of a game.
Like you said, 2020 cemented him as the best keeper I've ever seen. Not just the final but throughout the season, especially UCL, his performances were great. To not only win a second UCL but be arguably Bayern's best player in the knockouts was fantastic.
Regarding the foul, don't think it was a red card at all. It was certainly dumb of the ref to give a foul against Higuain for that but it wasn't a red for Neuer. There wasn't a lot controversy at the time as well, there was a thread here as well and most people said it was a clean clearance from Neuer.
Club career is way too boring to be considered the best for me.
I can see why people rate Neuer as the number 1. For me it was always Schmeichel, but Neuer is better suited to the modern era. I just don’t ascribe to the notion that the modern era is the era by which we need to judge football as a whole. Definitely in my top three and in with a shout of being best ever. Amazing keeper. I’m not sure it matters if people think he’s subjectively the best or second best or third or whatever. Just an amazing keeper who wouldn’t look out of place on any all time team.
Difficult to say in order but Yashin, Buffon, Schmeichel, Kahn and Zoff are ever so slightly ahead of him imo,mainly due to longevity and Kahn having if not the best word cup performance ever. I wouldn't begrudge anyone saying he belongs in top 5 though, he's been incredible I just fee like the second half of his career hasn't been as impressive and also playing in a one club league (no competition) for most his career.
Think you're underrating him a lot tbh.
While I absolutely love that you give Kahn the kudos he deserves for his incredible 2002 World Cup and even though he was my big idol growing up, I can’t help but put Neuer above him. His game had no weaknesses at all. Kahn, being a complete monster in the box and a god amongst man on his line, was already lacking a bit in terms of his distribution even for his time.
The thing that makes Neuer #1 for me is that he was basically Schmeichel with significantly better ball-playing and ability to rush out of his box to clear balls, which helped his defence hold a higher line. He basically had the best (or near the best) of both worlds in terms of classic keeper skills and the modern style.
Edwin Van der Sar is the best goalkeeper ever. Aside from being a brilliant shot stopper and penalty saver he was everything everyone wants in a modern goalkeeper 20 years ago, he was the original sweeper keeper. So much of our attacking play during VDS' time was started with him, either foot or he could throw the ball halfway down the pitch with accuracy. He was a leader, was vocal, and was an organizer. If he didn't have that low point at Fulham, had he gone straight from Ajax to United or Barcelona and played his whole career at that level there wouldn't even be a question about it. Because he took a less glamorous path and came to United later in his career, I think he is somewhat overlooked, by the masses, not United fans.
Fair enough, Kahn was excellent coming off his line and had an aura that not many keepers matched imo. Distribution only became a thing in recent times, if the older keepers were given the training and allowed to hone their skills who knows what they would have been in this regard, that's why I don't hold distribution against the older keepers. It's not true that Neuer was the first sweeper keeper Kahn and Schmeichel were great coming off their line and sniffing out danger too.
Top 10 all time isn't underrating!
I think it is when the majority have him in their top 3 if not numero uno.
Which majority?
The posts since the thread was bumped, particularly as a bunch of them are by arguably the best FF posters on the site!
So about 3 people?
He made quite a lot of errors but this was down to his aggressive style of play.Yep that comes first to mind but I honestly don't consider that a big error, as you say. It was a mind-blowing goal from Stankovic, a waist high first-time volley from the half-way line
How is Schmeichel is ahead of Neuer due to longevity? He was a relatively late bloomer, coming at United at what, 27 (pretty much 28) years of age? And he didn't play at the top level after he left us in 1999. You can probably include his last couple years at Brøndby to his peak but even then it's more or less a decade. While Neuer has been playing at an exceptionally high level for nearly twice as much.
Kahn haven't been the same pretty much since after that 2002 World Cup, eventually losing his NT starting spot to Lehmann (a very good but not an all-time great keeper) aged what, 35? So yeah, what longevity?