The 2000s had a special charm to them. Soccer was becoming a worldwide phenomenon that everyone started to enjoy, and the skill of everyone on the field increased significantly. Though strikers usually get all the praise, during this time, we had a few goalkeepers who were crucial parts of their team.
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In fact, most of the names on this list became captains of their squads somewhere in their careers. That speaks about the effect they had on their teammates, referees, and, of course, the fans. Even though they couldn’t leave their position, these goalkeepers were the leaders of the entire pitch.
Let’s remember the good old days and go through the best players in this position during the 2000s. Or, if you enjoy today’s soccer and wish to learn more about it, check out the Punters Page.
Gianluigi Buffon
The name Gianluigi Buffon has become synonymous with consistency in goalkeeping throughout the past decade. Through Juventus and the Italian national team, Buffon demonstrated fantastic shot-stopping capacity; he acted as a leader, speaking with the voice of authority to his defenders and giving them confidence.
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His heroic displays during the World Cup and excellent records with Serie A cemented his position as one of the world’s best goalies.
Petr Čech
Coming to Chelsea in 2004, Petr Čech immediately began making a name for himself as one of the best goalkeepers ever. Great at reacting fast and placing well, Čech was an invaluable member of the Chelsea team that won many Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012.
The biggest enemies of opposition forwards in the 2000s were his imposing presence and remarkable consistency, which made him a formidable obstacle throughout the decade.
Iker Casillas
Besides serving as the captain of Real Madrid and the Spain national team, Iker Casillas stood out as the leading and most resilient figure between the posts. Equipped with an amazing shot-stopping capacity and a rare sense of anticipation, Casillas proved to be the main force behind the club’s national and European championships in the 2000s.
Generally speaking, his heroics in the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, which were crowned by Spain’s victory, idealized him as one of the decade’s outstanding goalkeepers.
Oliver Kahn
Although retirement was a reality looming in the future for Oliver Kahn at the beginning of the twenty-first century, he continued to be unstoppable and a formidable force between the posts.
With his strong presence and resolute character, Kahn led Bayern Munich to domestic triumphs while competing on par with other European teams in terms of their display of goalkeeping prowess. His appearance in the 2001 Champions League final, where Manchester United barely managed to escape with a 5:4 win, helped define the sense of performance and legacy that characterized his leadership.
Edwin van der Sar
Manchester United welcomed Edwin van der Sar to the side in 2005, which brought them a lot of experience and calmness on the goal line. With his outstanding reactions and cool temperament during the pressure moments, van der Sar was a special player in Manchester United’s revival.
With his help, the club won several EPL titles and once again became a champion of the Champions League in 2008. His vital saves in the most critical situations helped him become one of the most admirable goalkeepers in modern soccer.
The 2000s were one of the best eras in modern soccer. It seems as though everything had a different feel back in the day, and the same goes for the goalkeepers. These guys just had something special about them and will be remembered long after the end of their careers.