5 goalkeepers with the most penalty saves you may not know about

In football, a penalty kick is a moment of immense pressure, a one-on-one duel between the taker and the goalkeeper that can change the course of a match.

While many penalties find the back of the net, a select group of goalkeepers have built legendary reputations by repeatedly denying spot-kick attempts, converting potential goals into unforgettable moments of heroism. Here’s a look at the goalkeepers who have saved the most penalties in competitive football.

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Topping the list of modern penalty savers is Samir Handanović, the Slovenian goalkeeper whose remarkable anticipation and reflexes have made him one of the most feared net-minders for penalty takers. Over the course of his career, especially during his time with Inter Milan, he has saved 38 penalties, more than any other keeper in the 21st century.

Handanović’s ability to read the shooter's intent in one-on-one situations have been key to his penalty-saving mastery, and his name often tops penalty-save leaderboards.

A true legend of the game, Gianluigi Buffon stands as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history. Across an illustrious career with Parma, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, Buffon has added around 30 saved penalties to his long list of achievements.

Known for his commanding presence and leadership from the back, Buffon’s penalty saves often came in crucial matches, helping his teams in title races and European campaigns. His experience and reading of shooters made him exceptionally hard to beat from the spot.

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Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves carved out a reputation as one of the best penalty savers of his generation, especially during his time in La Liga with Valencia. He is credited with around 26 saved penalties, many coming in Spanish top-flight action.Alves’ penalty-saving skill was partly credited to his quick reactions that made him particularly effective in shootouts and match-deciding moments.

Manuel Neuer, the innovative German keeper known for redefining the ‘sweeper-keeper’ position, also has a strong penalty-saving record. With about 25 penalties saved in competitive matches, he’s among football’s elite shot-stoppers.

Neuer’s success stems from his excellent positioning and quick reactions, qualities that have helped him make crucial saves for Bayern Munich and the German national team in both league and international fixtures.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Čech also features among the top penalty savers with 22 penalties stopped in top-level competition. Čech’s career was characterised by consistency and calm under pressure, traits that carried over into his performance from the penalty spot.

His height, reach, and ability to anticipate the direction of shots made him a difficult keeper to beat even in one-on-one situations.

Other Notable Shot-Stoppers
While the names above lead the leaderboard, several other keepers are also celebrated for their penalty-saving prowess:
Iker Casillas: The Spanish legend stopped around 20 penalties in a trophy-laden career with Real Madrid and Porto.
Benoît Costil and Frank Rost: Both have saved 21 penalties in club football, contributing significantly to their teams over long careers.

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A penalty save isn’t just another stop, it’s a psychological advantage that can swing momentum, change match outcomes. These keepers remind fans that while attackers grab the headlines, goalkeepers often decide the biggest moments with courage, study, and split-second reactions.