There is always fierce debate on the terraces about who deserves the title of the best goalkeeper in the world 2021. With club legends carving a name in Champions League runs, national icons starring in international finals, and new contenders rising, this honour is about much more than clean sheets or penalties saved. Today, we break down what made the standout keepers of 2021 so influential, revisit the moments that defined them, and why supporters still talk about that season with pride.

The year 2021 was extraordinary for goalkeeping, with several names cropping up in player rankings and shortlists for global awards. Whether it was a run of match-winning saves in Europe or standout performances at Euro 2020, these keepers set the standard that aspiring shot stoppers in street games and pro academies looked up to.

Why the Best Goalkeeper in the World 2021 Matters

The keeper’s shirt has always carried unique weight in football. From Peter Schmeichel’s bold 90s era green to Manuel Neuer’s era defining sweeper play, the number one spot is both a symbol of last line hope and a lightning rod for club and country identity. In 2021, the level was as high as it gets, and naming the main man was a badge of honour on the terraces, in pubs, and across fan forums.

What should we weigh up? It is not just about clean sheet counts or pure reflexes. Instead, we look at:

Shot stopping in the biggest moments: Champions League knockout matches, big derbies, national finals.
Commanding the penalty area and inspiring defenders.
Footwork and ability to launch counterattacks the modern all round requirement.
Leadership in the dressing room, and a sense of invincibility that spreads through the side.

Criteria: What Sets a Keeper Apart?

It would be easy to choose based only on trophies, but supporters know there is more to being the best goalkeeper in the world 2021. This ranking drew on:

Season defining performances under pressure.
Consistency over club and national campaigns.
Impact in fan culture—chants, shirts worn in the stands, highlight reels.
Peer and coach praise, plus presence in award voting shortlists.

The Standout Goalkeepers of 2021

Here are the top picks as widely seen by long time supporters and experts.

Edouard Mendy Chelsea and Senegal

Edouard Mendy stands out for a season that surprised even hardened Stamford Bridge regulars.

Strengths: Calm shot stopper, commanding on crosses, inspiring presence behind a fresh Chelsea defence.
Defining Matches: One of his true breakthrough moments was Chelsea’s clean sheet masterclass in the Champions League final against Manchester City, 29 May 2021. He kept four clean sheets across the semis and final, setting a new standard.
Milestones: First African goalkeeper to play in a Champions League final, won UEFA Champions League and UEFA Goalkeeper of the Season.
Fan Status: Mendy’s story—from nearly quitting football to continental champion, fuelled terrace songs and inspired a burst of blue shirt sales across London. His confident style summed up Chelsea’s fresh identity under Thomas Tuchel, during the season’s sponsor three era.

Gianluigi Donnarumma AC Milan and Italy

For many, Donnarumma was the face of the Euros in 2021, and his penalty heroics put him in the top lists everywhere.

Strengths: Big match nerves, incredible wingspan, shot stopping brilliance.
Defining Matches: Saved two penalties in the Euro 2020 final shootout at Wembley on 11 July 2021, sealing Italy’s win over England. Named Player of the Tournament—an unprecedented feat for a keeper.
Milestones: Won Euro 2020, became a PSG player post tournament, Italy’s youngest ever first choice number one.
Fan Status: The retro inspired Italy kit worn by Donnarumma entered instant folklore after that Wembley night, now seen everywhere from Sunday league keepers to Milan high streets as fans relive his penalty saves in garden replays.

Jan Oblak Atletico Madrid

A model of reliability and a symbol of Atletico Madrid’s iron will, Oblak continued to define elite keeping in 2021.

Strengths: Brilliant positioning, unmatched consistency, cool under relentless pressure.
Defining Matches: His five saves on 16 May 2021 at San Mames were crucial in the title run in, helping Atletico clinch La Liga at Real Valladolid days later.
Milestones: Captained Atletico to the La Liga title 2020 to 2021, won La Liga Best Goalkeeper five times.
Fan Status: Oblak’s calm mirrored his club’s working class ethos. His kits, short sleeved and minimal, became a favourite with local supporters who see him as a modern successor to Atleti’s gritty traditions.

Alisson Becker Liverpool and Brazil

Alisson’s highlights reel from 2021 had fewer clean sheets but a moment that will be replayed for decades.

Strengths: Elite distribution, clutch saves, and a knack for ending Liverpool’s worst luck at the back.
Defining Moment: The headed winner against West Brom on 16 May 2021 a first for a Liverpool keeper, effectively kept the Reds in Champions League football. No stopper had ever done that in the club’s long history.
Milestones: FA Cup and League Cup winner, the first Brazilian keeper to score in the Premier League.
Fan Status: That headed goal shirt is now cherished across Merseyside, a symbol of hope in an injury ravaged season. Alisson’s Christian faith and bond with supporters show why he means more than just stats on a page.

Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich and Germany

The constant benchmark for the modern keeper, Neuer was still among the world’s very best in 2021, redefining what it means to play the position.

Strengths: Sweeper keeping, passing range, leadership at Bayern and for Germany.
Defining Matches: Vital saves kept Bayern in tight Bundesliga and Champions League matches and pushed Germany close at Euro 2020.
Milestones: 2014 World Cup winner, multiple Bundesliga titles, more than 100 international caps.
Fan Status: Neuer’s bright coloured kits and fearless runs outside his box are still emulated on council pitches across Europe, standing as a symbol of German football’s confidence and evolution.

For supporters looking to collect from these histories, you can browse our latest Champions League winner shirts selection at cheapfootballshirts.com.

Era Context: The Keeper in 2021

Each of these keepers brought something unique to 2021. The season continued a shift towards keepers as playmakers, not just shot stoppers. Ball playing stoppers such as Ederson or Neuer get as much talk as the old school guardians like Oblak. The Euro 2020 final, held a year late, threw global focus on Donnarumma and the emotions of penalty shootout agony or glory. Street and playground games across Bristol, Glasgow, and Rome saw new celebrations inspired by those finals.

Supporters still talk about the shirts and gloves worn in those decisive moments a nod to the throwback Nike and Adidas designs hitting retro fashion now.

The landscape is always changing. Donnarumma’s move to PSG saw him join the highest profile stable in club football, while Mendy looked to back up his breakout year at Chelsea. Fans keep an eye on young keepers rising through the ranks, and new trends in how the position is played. The debate on the best goalkeeper in the world never settles for long.

FAQs

Who was named the best goalkeeper in the world for 2021?
Gianluigi Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 and won the Yashin Trophy at the 2021 Ballon d’Or, sparking debate that he was the top keeper that year.
How is the best goalkeeper decided?
Award panels and pundits weigh up performances in key games, impact on trophies, and lasting influence on club and national teams. Fans also consider personality, charisma, and how a keeper’s season resonates in supporters’ culture.
Why do fans remember Mendy’s 2021 season?
His Champions League campaign was a journey from near obscurity to the highest continental stage, setting records and inspiring a new crest of pride at Chelsea.
Can one moment define a goalkeeper’s status?
Yes, Alisson’s header for Liverpool and Donnarumma’s Wembley penalty shootout are still sung about and replayed. Supporters love a big occasion hero.
How important is kit design for keepers?
Very important. Iconic shirts reflect streetwear trends and era memories such as bright 90s shirts or Donnarumma’s Euro 2020 kit. They become sought after by fans and collectors.

Conclusion

Looking back at 2021, naming the best goalkeeper in the world 2021 means more than picking out stats or clean sheet runs. It is about the saves that echoed across cities, the shirts that still spark memory, the stories played out under the highest pressures in club and national colours. Supporters will debate Donnarumma’s heroics, Mendy’s rise, or Oblak’s unflappable command for years. Each kit and save lives on, adding new depth to football’s shared history and reminding us all why we fell in love with the game. If you want to add a piece of keeper history to your collection, explore European champion shirts and retro goalkeeper kits with us at cheapfootballshirts.com.