Guardians of the Goal: Top Clean Sheet Keepers Since 2000

Gianluigi Buffon, Petr Cech, Thibaut Courtois & Co. - Keepers with the most clean sheets in top-5 leagues since 2000
Gianluigi Buffon, Petr Cech, Thibaut Courtois & Co. Keepers with the most clean sheets in top 5 leagues since 2000

Top 20 Revealed

Gianluigi Buffon, Petr Cech, Thibaut Courtois & Co. - Goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in top-5 leagues since 2000

Goalkeepers are often the unsung heroes of football—the last line of defense in tumultuous matches. While strikers capture the limelight and midfielders orchestrate the game, it’s the goalkeepers who methodically accumulate the statistics that epitomize elite performance. Since the dawn of the new millennium, some of the greatest shot-stoppers in football have held their ground—highlighted by their impressive clean sheet records, which reflect a legacy of dominance, discipline, and exceptional goalkeeping skills. From Premier League icons to LaLiga stalwarts and Bundesliga giants, Transfermarkt has analyzed and unveiled the keepers with the highest number of clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues since 2000. These individuals have mastered the art of preventing goals.

Goalkeepers with the Most Clean Sheets in Top-5 Leagues Since 2000

At the top of the list is the legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who amassed an astounding 263 clean sheets across 560 matches for Juventus, Parma, and PSG. Close behind is Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, achieving 255 clean sheets in 665 games for clubs such as Barcelona, Villarreal, Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Aston Villa, Lazio, and Como—defining him as a true football nomad. In third, we have Manuel Neuer, with 238 clean sheets in 523 appearances, a figure that may continue to grow as he plays for Bayern Munich next season.

Petr Cech, formerly of Chelsea and Arsenal, ranks fourth with 231 clean sheets in 513 matches. Slovenian keeper Samir Handanović follows in fifth place with 204 clean sheets from 566 games. In sixth is Hugo Lloris, who also boasts 204 clean sheets but in 579 matches. Thibaut Courtois stands seventh with 189 clean sheets in 437 appearances, being the second active player on this list. Steve Mandanda takes eighth with 184 clean sheets, followed closely by fellow Frenchman Mickaël Landreau in ninth with 183. Finally, former Spanish goalkeeper Víctor Valdés wraps up the top ten with 182 clean sheets.