Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in Champions League?

• Keeping a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League is one of the most difficult things to do
• Whether it’s in the group stage or the knockout stages, keepers usually have a difficult time during matches in Europe’s top premier club competition
• Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer holds the record for keeping the most clean sheets in Champions League

If you’ve a football fan then you will agree with me that keeping a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League is one of the most difficult things to do. Whether it’s in the group stage or the knockout stages, keepers usually have a difficult time during matches in Europe’s top premier club competition.

On Wednesday, Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer became the goalkeeper with most clean sheets in Champions League history. The German achieved this feat as Bayern beat Arsenal 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals. Here, we are going to take a look at other legends Neuer surpassed on his way to the top.

6. Victor Valdes – 45

Former Barcelona goalie Victor Valdes kept 45 clean sheets in Champions League. Photo/ Goal.com.

Victor Valdes is undoubtedly one of the greatest shot-stoppers of his generation. He was a member of Barcelona’s team that dominated football in the late 2000s and early 2010s and his name appearing on the list of goalkeepers with most clean sheets in Champions League shouldn’t be a surprise to any fan.

Valdes played in 105 Champions League matches and kept 45 clean sheets. He helped the Catalans win the prestigious trophy three times (2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11) before enjoying the last years of his career playing in England for Manchester United and Middlesbrough.

5. Petr Cech – 47 

Arguably the best goalkeeper in Chelsea history, Petr Cech’s performance at the 2012 UEFA Champions League final can hardly be forgotten by football fans. The Czech denied Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben from the spot and made crucial saves to force extra time in the tie and eventually penalty shoot-out where he saved two more penalties. His outstanding performance that night saw Chelsea win their first Champions League trophy.

Well, that’s not the only match that Cech showed class in Europe’s top premier club competition as he kept a total of 47 clean sheets in 11 matches. Cech would later join Arsenal before retiring from football in 2019 and then starting a new career in ice hockey.

Petr Cech. Photo/ Business Insider.

4. Edwin van der Sar – 50 

No surprises here. Edwin Van der Sar was one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He won the UEFA Champions League trophy with Ajax and Manchester United. During the 2008 final while playing for United, he saved two penalties in the shoot-outs. The Dutchman played in over 98 Champions League matches and kept 50 clean sheets.

3. Gianluigi Buffon – 52

Gianluigi Buffon is one of the mos celebrated goalkeepers in the football world. Buffon won the FIFA World Cup with the Italy national team and league titles in Italy and France.

In his football career which lasted for 28 years, the only major trophy that he never won was the Champions League. He come close to winning the title three times with Juventus (2003, 2015, 2017) but finished as runner-up. Nevertheless, be can boast being one of the goalkeepers with most clean sheets in Champions League history. The Juventus legend made 124 appearances in the Champions League, keeping clean sheets 52 times.

Gianluigi Buffon. Photo/ World Football Index.

2. Iker Casillas – 57

Next on the list of goalkeepers with most clean sheets in Champions League history is Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas. The Spaniard played in 177 Champions League games, 150 for Real Madrid and 27 for FC Porto between 1999 and 2019. Out of those matches, he avoided conceding 57 times.

Casillas is one of the most successful keepers in the football world and won every title, both domestically and internationally. He won the Champions League three times, FIFA Club World Cup and several league titles at club level. With the Spain national team, the legend the FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships.

1. Manuel Neuer – 58

Manuel Neuer. Photo/ FC Bayern Munich.

As already mentioned at the start of this article, Manuel Neuer leads the way as the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in Champions League history. The Bayern Munich star has so far kept 58 clean sheets and could could keep the count going before the end of this season as he will play in the semi-finals of the competition next month.