On Goalkeepers: The five best in the world

If the 2006 World Cup showed us one thing, it's that having a great goalkeeper is a major plus in the World Cup. These are my top five keepers:

1. Iker Casillas. Country: Spain.


















I've mentioned the Spanish mainstay in goal before in my post about Mourinho, but the reason that he's in this post is the same as the reason he's there. Casillas is Spain, just as he is Real Madrid. Casillas has been between the posts since he was 7 at his club, and has always been regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world.

There are a couple of reasons why. He doesn't make mistakes, he's completely reliable, never gets injured, and is extremely good at starting attacks, mostly because he can punt the ball about the length of the field. He's also got really long arms and can jump like a freak, so that helps.

Casillas made headlines recently when he was one of the foremost players outspoken against the new "Jubalani" ball Addidas made for the World Cup. I saw the two goals that the UAE scored on Casillas in the friendly and I have to say, that ball did move in quite a peculiar manner. Then again, I could have just been shocked to see the ball get past Casillas and made up some reason why.

2. Gianluigi Buffon. Country: Italy.























When I mentioned that the 2006 World Cup taught us something I meant it. In that tournament, the man you see above allowed two goals. A penalty and an own goal, neither of which can be blamed on him. He is an aboslute psycho and is the highest paid keeper in the world.

Like Casillas, he also plays for a major national club, Juventus. He is internationally recognized for having lightning quick reflexes, fearless resolve, and an ability to get in front of any ball, no matter what.

It's odd to say that the most exciting player on a team could be the keeper, but in Italy's case, that just might be true.

3. Hugo Lloris. Country: France.















The youngest player on my list, 23 year old baby face Hugo Lloris made a name for himself accompanying major national club Lyon to the semifinals of the Champions League this year.

Lloris' story is a magnificent one. A player who didn't even make France's squad for the Euro 2008, Lloris proved himself to be the number one after an incredible performance in a qualifier against Republic of Ireland and, as mentioned, his stellar efforts at Lyon.

A true commander of the box, Lloris is known for being extremely reliable in one-on-one situations because of his spectacular reflexes and good decision making.

4. Tim Howard. Country: USA.





























Yes, I did it.

Tim Howard is an extremely important part of the United States' national team. Not only is he one of the most experienced players on the roster, but he's also known for being extremely vocal about what he wants from his back line. And the much criticized US back four need all the "support" they can get. After every shot that he miraculously blocks, watch for Howard to explode off of the ground and scream at Bocanegra about not cheating up too far, and telling Gooch to wake up.

He's the fire of this team, and in many ways he's their star. He made a run at Manchester United and since then has found a place at Everton, where he is extremely well liked alongside teammate Clint Dempsey.

Howard's a big ole boy, and he won't take crap from any player, no matter who it is. I'd like to propose we nickname him "Mount Helen," because of his hot temper and his solid-as-a-rock playing style in front of goal. I like making up nicknames...anyway, moving on.

5. Julio Cesar. Country: Brazil.































He's only this far down because he's injured, because the Brazilian between the sticks is widely regarded as one of the best in the business. Playing for Inter Milan, Champions League winners this year, that picture of Cesar says it all. He's willing to do anything and everything for his club and, most of all, his country.

Imagine being the keeper for Brazil. You are the last line of defense for what most consider to be the greatest team on Earth. How do you deal with that pressure? Well, it helps when you're effing Cesar. The man cannot be scored on, under normal circumstances. Cesar makes teams work, and when you've already gotten by Brazil's brutal defense, you're probably running out of ideas.

These are my selections for the top five keepers in the world. Think the order should be different? Have your own players you like? Comment!