From all-time great Gigi Buffon to veteran Morgan De Sanctis, Serie A represents some of the best goalkeepers in the world. On and off the field, these players are in a category of their own. Helping to orchestrate some of the best defensive football in years, the following five goalkeepers are among the best.
Samir Handanovic
Samir Handanovic was born on July 14, 1984. Samir is a Slovenian footballer playing for the national football Slovenian team and Inter Milan. During the 2010 to 2011 season, Handanovic managed to save six penalty kicks, matching the 1948-1949 record that was unequalled until that time. He joined Inter in 2012, for £11 million, a year after playing in the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Recognized by the Daily Mail as one of the top keepers worldwide, he remains amongst the best Serie A goalkeepers in Europe.
Handanovic began his career in 1995, in Parma, at age 17. Since then, he has continually redefined the standard of goalkeeping excellence in Italy and Europe. At 30, he remains at the top of his game by consistently making crucial saves, during the previous seasons at Inter and Udinese. The tougher the pressure, the more reliable Samir Handanovic becomes.
Gianluigi Buffon
Born January 28, 1978, Gianluigi Buffon is an Italian keeper playing for the national team and Juventus. Internationally recognized as one of the all-time best keepers, outspoken within his club, he is presently “the most expensive goalkeeper” ever. After a record-breaking £32.6 million offer in 2001, he transferred to Juventus from Parma. Buffon ranks as the greatest Italian goalkeeper, holding the record for the national team and Serie A clean sheets. Moreover, in 2004, Pelé included Gigi among the FIFA 100 greatest players alive today.
When Serie A goalkeepers come to mind, legendary Gigi Buffon is high on the list. Gigi is an exemplary competitor both on the field and off. His reputation is reflected in the standard of excellence he sets for himself and fellow team members. Whilst in recent years, Buffon has been fairly reserved off the field, he has increased his involvement at the grass roots level of football by investing in his childhood home club, Carrarese. Furthermore, some teammates claim he has also taken to other off-field activates such as golf, car racing and online poker (he once played for PokerStars). One thing is for sure; if he takes his on-field skills and determination into his off-field activities, we’re sure he’ll be playing off scratch in the near future and taking plenty of money off rival online players! Among the top stoppers in Italy, he is unquestionably one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Rafael
On September 21, 1983, Rafael Marques Pinto was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Currently playing for Verona, he came to Italy as an understudy of Fábio Costa, Doni, and Júlio Sérgio in 2007. In the 2010-2011 season, he played a vital role in achieving a team victory during the Lega Pro Division One playoffs.
Rafael created a new record last season for the most saves in a season for the club (a record 146 in 34 appearances). Although his team lost more games than other team in their league, they have situated themselves recently in a comfortable mid-table position, coming in ninth. Known for his dependability, Andrea Mandorlini has been able to take a definite stance, helping his team reposition themselves. Rafael is a definite asset to his team as a highly respected Serie A goalkeeper.
Mattia Perin
Mattia Perin was born in Latina on November 10, 1992. An Italian goalkeeper for the Italian national team and Serie A club Genoa, he benefited from training within the youth system of Genoa. In January 2010, Mattia advanced to the first team squad, as the third-choice goalkeeper (#88). On May 22, 2011, he debuted as a Serie A and professional player, starting against Cesena and helping earn a 3-2 victory at home. Since then, he has maintained an impressive showing at Genoa, continuing to impress the fans. Only 22, he is nicely positioned to acquire the Gigi Buffon shirt (#1) for the Italian national team.
In spite of his age, Perin shows potential and maturity beyond what might be expected in a young goalkeeper. Not only is he a talented stopper, he appears to manage the pressure with grace. Remarkably fast off the line, Mattia has managed some extraordinary stops. Including one game last season where he made 15 saves, in a match that ended in a 2-0 win.
Morgan De Sanctis
The oldest of the five, De Sanctis was born on March 26, 1977. Morgan is another Italian keeper who plays in the Serie A, with A.S. Roma. Within the Italian football scene, Gianluigi Buffon has overshadowed his opportunities abroad. However, De Sanctis has still won 6 caps for the national team. De Sanctis was also included in Euro 2008, Euro 2012, and the FIFA World Cup 2010 squads respectively.
Following the three years that he played for Serie B (Pescara), he joined Serie A as a reserve player for giants Juventus. After two seasons with only three appearances, in 1999 De Sanctis signed for € 1.2 million with Marco Zamboni, at Udinese. In the spring of 2000, the co-ownership agreement became a lasting deal.
Although Roma’s decision to sign Morgan de Sanctis in July 2013 has fallen under scrutiny, it is clear that de Sanctis has earned his position as a key stopper. The two-year arrangement included a € 0.5 million transfer fee. De Sanctis contributed to nine wins out in his first ten games.
While Gigi Buffon is among the top five greatest keepers who come to mind, this handful has made the grade over the past several years. The goalkeepers listed above represent the all-time Serie A stars. From Samir Handanovic to Morgan De Sanctis… these keepers manage to shine above the rest.
Do you agree? Tell us what you think.
