Italy’s footballing legacy is built on defensive excellence. From the cat-like reflexes of Walter Zenga to the near-immortality of Gianluigi Buffon, Italy has consistently produced some of the greatest goalkeepers in world football. This list ranks the Italy goalkeeper top 10 of all time, focusing on those who stood tall for both club and country. Whether it’s saving penalties, captaining the Azzurri, or leading Serie A giants. Don’t forget to visit Cheap football shirts in UK to get legendary jerseys with affordable prices.

Quick List of Italy Goalkeeper Top 10:

Gianluigi Buffon
Francesco Toldo
Gianluca Pagliuca
Angelo Peruzzi
Luca Marchegiani
Sebastiano Rossi
Walter Zenga
Stefano Tacconi
Franco Tancredi
Ivano Bordon

1. Gianluigi Buffon

With a career spanning from 1995 to 2023, Gianluigi Buffon is not only Italy’s most capped goalkeeper but one of the greatest of all time. World Cup winner in 2006, captain, and symbol of Italian resilience.

Over 1,100 career appearances
2006 World Cup Champion and Golden Glove contender
Captained Italy and Juventus through multiple golden eras

Buffon – The greatest in Italy goalkeeper top history (Image: Goal)

2. Francesco Toldo

Often remembered for his heroics at Euro 2000, Toldo was Italy’s savior during the penalty shootout vs. the Netherlands. A reliable figure at Fiorentina and Inter, he remains one of the most trusted names in the Italy goalkeeper top legacy.

Key figure in Euro 2000 campaign
Known for penalty saves and calm demeanor
Long-standing presence in Serie A

Toldo – Hero of Euro 2000 and Inter Milan stalwart (Image: BBC)

3. Gianluca Pagliuca

Pagliuca was Italy’s number one in the 1994 World Cup, helping the team reach the final. With over 592 Serie A appearances, he was a dependable and athletic figure across multiple top clubs.

1994 World Cup finalist
Played for Sampdoria, Inter Milan, Bologna
Known for quick reactions and consistency

Pagliuca – Agile World Cup finalist and Inter veteran (Image: Sky Sports)

See all list Cheap Italy Football shirt and kits

4. Angelo Peruzzi

Stocky yet incredibly agile, Peruzzi was a rock at the back for Juventus in the ’90s. Although often behind Pagliuca and Buffon for Italy, he remained a strong contender in the Italy goalkeeper top conversation.

Champions League winner with Juventus in 1996
Won 3 Serie A titles
Considered one of the most complete Italian keepers

Peruzzi – Physically dominant Juventus and national team keeper (Image: BBC)

5. Luca Marchegiani

Though often overshadowed, Marchegiani was an elite-level goalkeeper in the 1990s and early 2000s. His calm style and great reflexes made him vital for Lazio during their domestic and European success.

Played over 300 games for Lazio
Known for elegance and consistency
Regular call-up for national team duty

Marchegiani – Lazio’s safe hands and Euro ’94 backup (Image: WeFUT)

See all list Cheap SS Lazio Football shirt and kits

6. Sebastiano Rossi

Tall and commanding, Rossi holds the Serie A record for most consecutive minutes without conceding a goal (929 minutes). His time at AC Milan coincided with one of the most dominant defenses in club history.

5-time Serie A champion with AC Milan
Champions League winner 1994
Record for longest clean sheet in Italian league

Rossi – AC Milan’s record-breaker and defensive pillar (Image: Evening Standard)

7. Walter Zenga

Zenga was Italy’s undisputed number one at the 1990 World Cup and is known for keeping 5 consecutive clean sheets in that tournament. Dubbed “Spider-Man” for his reflexes, he remains an Inter Milan legend.

3-time IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper (1989–1991)
World Cup semifinalist 1990
Unbeaten in 518 consecutive WC minutes

Zenga – World Cup 1990 hero and Inter’s iconic keeper (mage: The New York Times)

8. Stefano Tacconi

A commanding presence for Juventus in the 1980s, Tacconi is the only Italian goalkeeper to have won all major UEFA club competitions. He was also Zenga’s main rival for Italy’s number one shirt.

UEFA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, Super Cup, and European Cup winner
Juventus captain and leader
Competitive and reliable throughout the ’80s

Tacconi – The only Italian goalkeeper to win every UEFA club title (Image: Sky Sports)

9. Franco Tancredi

Though only lightly used at international level, Tancredi is a Roma legend. His quick reflexes and fearless play style made him a fan favorite at the Stadio Olimpico for over a decade.

Over 250 appearances for AS Roma
Serie A champion in 1983
Famous for saving penalties and close-range shots

Tancredi – Roma’s loyal servant and agile shot-stopper (Image: Football Italia)

10. Ivano Bordon

Spanning two decades, Bordon’s career saw him play at the 1980 Euros and serve as backup in the 1982 World Cup win. He was known for his professionalism and composure in high-pressure situations.

2-time Serie A winner with Inter
Euro 1980 starter for Italy
One of Italy’s most experienced long-term backups

Bordon – Veteran of Italy’s transition from the ’70s to ’80s (Image: Itasport)

Conclusion

Italy’s legacy in football is built on defense, and at the heart of that legacy stand the names in this Italy goalkeeper top list. From Buffon’s longevity to Rossi’s records and Zenga’s World Cup brilliance, each of these ten men has defined the art of goalkeeping in the Italian style. As new talents emerge, this foundation of greatness continues to inspire. Who’s your pick for the greatest Italian goalkeeper of all time? Let us know below.