The 15 Worst Goalkeepers of All Time: 2023 Global Ranking
While top football players often receive widespread praise and accolades, the worst players, especially goalkeepers, rarely enjoy the same recognition.
who is the worst goalkeeper in the world ? This article delves into the top 15 worst goalkeepers in the world.
The Worst Goalkeepers of All TimeA goalkeeper’s role is critical in football, with the responsibility of defending the goal. A skilled shot-stopper is a team's backbone, requiring precise ball handling, quick reflexes, and excellent positioning. Unfortunately, not every goalkeeper succeeds in this position. Here are the goalkeepers whose mistakes on the field have earned them infamy.
15. Jordan PickfordFull name: Jordan Lee PickfordDate of birth: March 7, 1994Age: 29 (as of 2023)Nationality: BritishHeight: 1.85 mTotal appearances: 380
Jordan Pickford, an English professional goalkeeper for Everton and the national team, had a rough 2019-2020 season. He made several errors, with a total of four mistakes leading to goals, the highest in the Premier League that season.
14. Rob GreenFull name: Robert Paul GreenDate of birth: January 18, 1980Age: 43 (as of 2023)Nationality: BritishHeight: 1.87 mTotal appearances: 658
Rob Green had a solid career but was often inconsistent, with some crucial errors costing his teams important points and matches. His inability to maintain high-level performances led to him being remembered as one of the less reliable goalkeepers.
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13. Gunnar NielsenFull name: Gunnar NielsenDate of birth: October 7, 1986Age: 36 (as of 2023)Nationality: FaroeseHeight: 1.91 mTotal appearances: 163
Though Gunnar Nielsen had stints with Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, and Motherwell, he struggled to make a significant impact. He is known for occasional, high-profile mistakes, which overshadowed his otherwise decent performances.
12. Stuart TaylorFull name: Stuart James TaylorDate of birth: November 28, 1980Age: 42 (as of 2023)Nationality: BritishHeight: 1.98 mTotal appearances: 95
Stuart Taylor spent much of his career as a second-choice goalkeeper, and his limited playing time may have hindered his ability to showcase his skills at the highest level. He is not regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers, and his mistakes have contributed to his negative reputation.
11. Peter EnckelmanFull name: Peter Mikael EnckelmanDate of birth: March 10, 1977Age: 45 (as of 2023)Nationality: FinnishHeight: 1.88 mTotal appearances: 186
Peter Enckelman is best known for a memorable blunder during the 2002 Birmingham City vs. Aston Villa match, where a throw-in bounced off his body into the net, leading to a goal. This mistake is often cited as one of the worst in football history.
10. Heurelho GomesFull name: Heurelho da Silva GomesDate of birth: February 15, 1981Age: 41 (as of 2022)Nationality: BrazilianHeight: 1.91 mTotal appearances: 557
Heurelho Gomes enjoyed a promising start to his career but was plagued by mistakes that tarnished his reputation. Despite an impressive clean-sheet ratio earlier in his career, he was often criticized for costly errors during his time at Tottenham.
9. Stephen BywaterFull name: Stephen Michael BywaterDate of birth: June 7, 1981Age: 41 (as of 2023)Nationality: BritishHeight: 1.89 mTotal appearances: 437
Stephen Bywater is remembered for a dismal 2007/08 season with Derby County, during which the team conceded a staggering 89 goals. His time at West Ham was also brief and marked by mistakes.
8. Fraser DigbyFull name: Fraser Charles DigbyDate of birth: January 23, 1967Age: 55 (as of 2022)Nationality: BritishHeight: 1.85 mTotal appearances: 508
Fraser Digby is often cited as one of the worst goalkeepers in Premier League history, particularly after a series of poor performances with Swindon Town. He is known for conceding 65 goals with only four clean sheets during his time at the club.
7. Adam BogdanFull name: Adam BogdanDate of birth: September 27, 1987Age: 35 (as of 2022)Nationality: HungarianHeight: 1.94 mTotal appearances: 187
Bogdan gained notoriety for his time at Liverpool, where he was responsible for several high-profile mistakes, including a disastrous 3-0 loss against Watford. He currently plays for Ferencváros in Hungary.
6. Massimo TaibiFull name: Massimo TaibiDate of birth: February 18, 1970Age: 40 (as of 2022)Nationality: ItalianHeight: 1.90 mTotal appearances: 569
Massimo Taibi’s brief stint at Manchester United was marred by an infamous 5-0 error against Chelsea. His time in the Premier League was short, but the “five past Taibi” joke remains a part of football history.
5. Roy CarrollFull name: Roy Eric CarrollDate of birth: September 30, 1977Age: 45 (as of 2022)Nationality: IrishHeight: 1.89 mTotal appearances: 648
While Roy Carroll had a successful career, his time at Manchester United, Tottenham, and West Ham was marked by inconsistency. He also struggled with personal challenges, including clinical depression and alcoholism, which impacted his performances.
4. Manuel AlmuniaFull name: Manuel Almunia RiveroDate of birth: May 19, 1977Age: 45 (as of 2022)Nationality: SpanishHeight: 1.91 mTotal appearances: 3
Almunia's tenure at Arsenal was marked by several costly errors, including crucial mistakes against teams like Liverpool and Tottenham. His performances led many to consider him one of the worst Premier League goalkeepers of his era.
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3. Artur BorucFull name: Artur BorucDate of birth: February 20, 1980Age: 42 (as of 2022)Nationality: PolishHeight: 1.93 mTotal appearances: 524
While Boruc was a talented shot-stopper, his erratic behavior on the field contributed to his negative reputation. His conduct led to several missed opportunities at top clubs and a tarnished legacy as one of Europe’s least reliable goalkeepers.
2. Jens LehmannThis list features goalkeepers who have struggled to meet expectations and left a significant mark due to their blunders on the field. While they are not often celebrated, their mistakes have certainly made them unforgettable.