While forwards frequently grab the spotlight, goalkeepers frequently lead their countries to victory in important international competitions.
A dominant stopper can make the difference between happiness and sadness, whether it’s through heroic penalty shootouts or sprawling saves in the knockout stages. Just ask Argentina, who credit Emiliano Martinez’s skill in goalkeeping for their victory in the 2022 World Cup.
Most of the world’s finest goalkeepers will be wearing their national team jerseys in Germany for Euro 2024, even if some of the best stoppers in the world won’t be there. Some nations even have the good fortune to have two outstanding goalies vying for the first position.
Here are the ten best goalkeepers at Euro 2024.
10. Wojciech Szczesny
The Juventus star will guard the net for Poland / PressFocus/MB Media/GettyImages
If it wasn’t for Wojciech Szczesny, Poland wouldn’t be at Euro 2024. The Juventus goalkeeper proved the decisive figure in his country’s play-off final clash with Wales, earning his side a spot in the competition with a vital penalty shootout save.
While not as highly regarded as he once was across Europe, Szczesny remains an incredibly sharp goalkeeper. With Poland not in the greatest form, he may be very busy at Euro 2024.
9. Jordan Pickford
Pickford hasn’t always been popular with fans / Catherine Ivill – AMA/GettyImages
One of England’s ‘weak’ areas over the past decade or so has been in goal, with Jordan Pickford arguably the beneficiary of a lack of alternatives in his position. However, he has always been a favourite of Gareth Southgate, with his performances for the Three Lions rarely failing to impress.
Even his form at club level with Everton has improved significantly in recent seasons and the 30-year-old now has far fewer critics than he once did among the England fanbase.
8. Yann Sommer
The Inter stopper faces competition at international level / Stuart Franklin/GettyImages
Yann Sommer has long been Switzerland’s number one despite facing stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel. The 35-year-old is approaching a century of caps, with Inter having profited from his stellar displays en route to the Serie A title last term.
How long he can retain his number one jersey remains to be seen, but he seems to have Switzerland boss Murat Yakin’s faith heading into Euro 2024.
7. David Raya
Raya has stolen Aaron Ramsdale’s Arsenal jersey / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
Having displaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one, it appears that David Raya won’t be able to do the same to Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon ahead of Euro 2024.
However, that doesn’t mean he’s not a superior goalkeeper, with his ability to play out from the back one of his greatest strengths. He’s a smart shot-stopper too, as well as being confident when claiming deliveries into the box.
There’s a reason Mikel Arteta trusts him so much.
6. Gianluigi Donnarumma
Donnarumma is Italy’s first choice between the sticks / Marco Canoniero/GettyImages
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s stock has fallen since proving the hero in the Euro 2020 final with England, with his time at Paris Saint-Germain having been far from smooth sailing. The former Milan stopper has often failed to convince on the big stage, offering defenders in front of him little confidence.
However, he has enough credit in the bank to make him Italy’s number one and still has the ability to pull off some heroic displays – often on the international stage.
5. Gregor Kobel
Gregor Kobel isn’t always a starter for Switzerland / Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/GettyImages
For a goalkeeper of Kobel’s quality to have just five international caps is astonishing. If it weren’t for Sommer, he would be a difference-maker for Switzerland.
The Dortmund man can feel hard done by not to have been given more opportunities on the big stage, although the 25-year-old will surely succeed Sommer sooner rather than later.
4. Jan Oblak
Jan Oblak is still a top stopper / Jurij Kodrun/GettyImages
Jan Oblak hasn’t had too many chances to shine at major international tournaments given Slovenia’s difficulties reaching the big time. In fact, this will be his first shot at the Euros despite making his debut all the way back in 2012.
The Atletico Madrid man is a more orthodox goalkeeper than some modern stoppers, which will suit Slovenia well at Euro 2024 given they are likely to come under significant fire.
3. Mike Maignan
Mike Maignan missed the 2022 World Cup with injury / Catherine Steenkeste/GettyImages
Having missed the 2022 World Cup due to a calf injury, Mike Maignan will be relishing the opportunity to make his first appearance at a major tournament. Hugo Lloris’ shoes are big ones to fill, but the Milan goalkeeper has done so with ease.
A late bloomer for the French national team with fewer than 20 caps under his belt, Maignan is about as well-rounded as modern goalkeepers come.
2. Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has struggled to topple Manuel Neuer / Stefan Matzke – sampics/GettyImages
Similarly to Kobel, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is incredibly unfortunate to be playing in this era, with Manuel Neuer his competition for the number one jersey. It’s a battle he has often lost and he appears set for a place on the bench at Euro 2024 too.
However, he remains the most able of deputies, with his consistency crucial for Barcelona over recent years. If Neuer were to pick up a late injury, Germany would be in safe hands.
1. Manuel Neuer
Neuer has fought back from injury to feature at Euro 2024 / ANP/GettyImages
With well over a century of Germany caps across a 15-year spell, Neuer has enjoyed the faith of several national team managers, with his old Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann also favouring him to Ter Stegen.
Despite now being 38 and fighting back from a nasty injury last season, there are few stoppers in world football more capable than the Bayern legend. He has everything and his leadership will be crucial at a home tournament.
