Top 10 highest-paid goalkeepers in the world

Goalkeepers have always been one of the most important but also the most underrated players in a football team. They strive to pull their team out of trouble by making saves and high claims and denying the opponent a goal. A save is widely regarded as almost similar to scoring a goal.

Despite their importance though, it took a lot of time for goalkeepers to get some recognition. While there were some legends like Lev Yashin, Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, and more, teams didn’t focus on improving the goalkeeping department a lot.

However, it has changed for the better now. Goalkeepers are a key part of any team. They are not only required to be good at shot-stopping but they also need to have the ability to play the ball with feet and remain calm under pressure.

Their importance has seen the clubs treat them better as well. They pay good money to sign shot-stoppers and also keep them on high wages. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid goalkeepers:

(Note: This list is updated by May 2024)

10. Alisson Becker – £150,000-per-week

Alisson is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history. He’s kept 114 clean sheets in 263 games, helping them win one UEFA Champions League trophy and one Premier League title, among other honors.

Alisson is known for his brilliant saves but also his ability on the ball. He’s provided some goal contributions during his time at Anfield.

Also Read: Ranking Liverpool’s greatest goalkeepers of all time

9. Gregor Kobel – £151,533-per-week

Gregor Kobel is Borussia Dortmund’s No. 1. He joined the German club from VfB Stuttgart in 2021 and has kept 40 clean sheets in 117 games across competitions so far.

He helped them reach the UEFA Champions League final in the 2023-24 season, keeping 6 clean sheets in 12 games in the competition. However, they lost against Real Madrid 2-0 in the summit clash.

8. Kepa Arrizabalaga – £151,533-per-week

Kepa is still the most expensive goalkeeper in world football, having joined Chelsea from Athletic Club for around £72 million in 2018. He’s made 163 appearances for them, keeping 59 clean sheets. He’s won one Champions League trophy, among other honors.

However, Kepa’s time at Chelsea is coming to an end. He was loaned out to Real Madrid last season and it expected to be sold soon.

7. Yassine Bounou – £168,370-per-week

Al-Hilal signed Yassine Bounou in the summer of 2023 from Sevilla after he helped Morocco finish fourth at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He helped Al-Hilal win the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi Super Cup in his first season at the club.

He kept 20 clean sheets in 43 games across competitions.

6. Edouard Mendy – £185,207-per-week

Another goalkeeper who chose to move to Saudi Arabia last summer was Edouard Mendy as he joined Al-Ahli from Chelsea. He’s kept 15 clean sheets in 35 games across competitions for them.

Mendy signed a 3-year contract, worth £185,207 per week, with Al-Ahli.

5. Wojciech Szczesny – £202,717-per-week

Wojciech Szczesny joined Juventus from Arsenal in 2017 and has spent seven illustrious years with them. He’s won three Serie A titles, among other honors and became their first-choice goalkeeper after the departure of Gianluigi Buffon.

Szczesny has kept 103 clean sheets in 252 games for the Bianconeri. However, he could now be on his way out

Also Read: 10 highest spending managers in Premier League history

4. Gianluigi Donnarumma – £214,335-per-week

The Italian goalkeeper joined PSG from AC Milan in 2021. In his second season, he displaced Keylor Navas as the first-choice goalkeeper at the club. Navas would’ve been on this list a year ago but he’s currently a free agent.

Donnarumma, meanwhile, has kept 39 clean sheets in 114 games for PSG so far. He’s won three Ligue 1 titles, among other domestic honors.

3. Thibaut Courtois – £252,555-per-week

Incidentally, Thibaut Courtois also replaced Keylor Navas but he did it at Real Madrid, arriving from Chelsea in 2018. He became a crucial member of the team, helping them win numerous trophies.

Courtois has won two Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles, among other honors with Real Madrid. He’s kept 96 clean sheets in 235 games but his greatness comes from the number of crucial saves he’s made in big matches.

2. Jan Oblak – £350,715-per-week

For a period in time, many considered Jan Oblak the best goalkeeper in the world due to his excellent performances for Atletico Madrid. He had somewhat of a dip but his performances at UEFA Euro 2024 could bring him back to his best.

Oblak joined Atletico from Benfica in 2014 and has since kept 207 clean sheets in 446 games for them. He’s won one Serie A and one UEFA Europa League, among other honors.

1. Manuel Neuer – £353,577-per-week

Widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game, Manuel Neuer joined Bayern Munich from Schalke 04 in 2011. He’s made 521 appearances for the club, keeping 244 clean sheets.

Neuer has made some big games in crucial moments for the side, helping them win numerous trophies. He’s won 11 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies, among other honors. It’s no surprise he’s the highest-paid goalkeeper.

Also Read: 10 Greatest English Managers of All-Time

FAQs

Q. How much do professional goalkeepers make?

A. It depends on various factors like team, league, ability, and much more.

Q. How much does an England goalkeeper get paid?

A. It depends on various factors. The highest-paid English goalkeeper, as of May 2024, was Jordan Pickford with £ 125,000 per week for Everton.

Q. Who is the highest-paid goalkeeper in England 2024?

A. The highest-paid goalkeeper in the Premier League is Kepa Arrizabalaga at £ 151,533 per week.