Juventus goalkeeper got the preference of his colleagues and overtook Lev Yashin in votes
Gianluigi Buffon was chosen the best goalkeeper of all time, according to a survey conducted on 18 of the best goalkeepers in the world, including past and present figures. Conformable Gazzetta dello Sport, from Italy, “Gigi” was elected with the most votes.
Even Jorge Campos, an exporter from Mexico, cast his vote, which was not for the Italian, but for Lev Yashin, as he considered it the best in history; however, he issued a message of support for Buffon.
“Buffon is a great infinity like Óscar Pérez, the legendary Mexican goalkeeper. It was a disappointment when Sweden eliminated Italy and took the possibility of six consecutive World Cups. My best goalkeeper forever? The Golden Balloon is too important, it makes a difference, “Campos told the Italian newspaper.
Buffon had seven votes out of the 18 participants, with four abstaining from giving a name, and the rest mentioned elements such as Lev Yashin, Dino Zoff or Gordon Banks.
Among the most important names who took part in the survey were Manuel Neuer, the current goalkeeper of Bayern Munich and the German national team. In the same way, there were historians like Peter Schmeichel, one of the most important goalkeepers of Manchester United.
The legendary Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was a figure of Inter Milan and the Brazilian team, voted for Buffon, Rogerio Ceni and Claudio Taffarel. Meanwhile, Santiago Cañizares gave Iker Casillas the vote.
The “black spider” came in second with five mentions, including Campos, who saw him as an idol. However, the praise went to the Italian, who in this 2021 celebrates 27 years of uninterrupted career.
“‘Gigi’ is an incredibly tall man, with an unusual character. For me he has always been an example, not only on the field as a great goalkeeper with phenomenal reflexes, but also as a personality off the field. It’s crazy what he’s been doing for the last 26 years, “Neuer said.
That’s how they voted for the best goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer – Gianluigi Buffon and Lev Yashin
Peter Schmeichel – abstained
Michel Preud’homme – Lev Yashin
Dino Zoff – Sepp Maier, Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin and himself.
Julius Caesar – Gianluigi Buffon, Claudio Taffarel and Rogerio Ceni.
Thomas N’Kono – abstained
Santiago Cañizares – Iker Casillas
Gabor Kiraly – abstained
Jerzy Dudek- Lev Yashin
Rust Recber- Peter Schmeichel
Vyaceslav Malafev – Gianluigi Buffon
Thomas Ravelli – Gianluigi Buffon
Alex Manninger – Gianluigi Buffon
Bernard Lama – abstained
Antonis Nikopolidis – Gianluigi Buffon
Fernando Muslera – Gianluigi Buffon and Ladislao Mazurkiewicz.
Jorge Campos – Lev Yasmin
Jan Jongbloed – Dino Zoff