Gianluigi Buffon is currently regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world. A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, Buffon has been Juventus' goalkeeper since joining from Parma for a world record 52 million euros in 2001.

He was voted the best goalkeeper in Serie A in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008, and probably only missed out in 2007 because Juventus played a season in Serie B due to a match-fixing scandal.

Hot on his heels, though, comes Chelsea's Czech Republic international, Petr Cech, after earning plaudits for his title-winning efforts as Stamford Bridge’ best goalkeeper under Jose Mourinho.

In Germany since the retirement of Oliver Kahn there does not appear to be a stand-out best goalkeeper, Hannover's Robert Enke and Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese currently battling it out to be the international number one.

There are genuine Spanish contenders, though. Real Madrid's best goalkeeper Iker Casillas won La Liga in 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07 and 2007-08 and the UEFA Champions League in 1999-00 and 2001-02. He also won Euro 2008 with Spain, and is keeping Liverpool's talented Pepe Reina on the bench. Barcelona's Victor Valdes doesn't get a look-in.

Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar is in the twilight of his career, but in 2008-09 the Dutchman kept a clean sheet for 1,311 consecutive minutes in Premier League matches a run spanning 16 games. Fine qualities as a premiership best goalkeeper.

Last but not least, arguably South America’s best goalkeeper, Rogerio Ceni of Brazilian champions Sao Paulo. He's a talented keeper, but has also scored 83 goals in 831 appearances from 36 penalties and 47 free kicks so far.