We are here with the list of every FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winner in history. The FIFA World Cup has always been a stage for legendary goalscorers, but some of the tournament's greatest heroes have been the men standing between the posts. The FIFA World Cup Golden Glove award recognizes the best goalkeeper of each tournament and has been won by some of football's most iconic names.
Before the official award existed, FIFA selected goalkeepers for the tournament's all-star teams until 1994. From 1994 to 2010, the award was known as the Lev Yashin Award, named after the legendary Soviet goalkeeper. Since the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it has officially been called the Golden Glove.
Here is every World Cup's best goalkeeper in history.
1930 – Enrique Ballestrero (Uruguay)
Ballestrero played a crucial role in Uruguay's triumph at the inaugural FIFA World Cup, helping La Celeste lift the trophy on home soil.
1934 – Ricardo Zamora (Spain)
One of Spain's greatest-ever goalkeepers, Zamora's performances in Italy earned him recognition as the tournament's standout shot-stopper.
1938 – František Plánička (Czechoslovakia)
Plánička impressed with his remarkable reflexes and leadership, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers of his era.
1950 – Roque Máspoli (Uruguay)
Máspoli became a national hero after helping Uruguay secure the famous "Maracanazo" victory over Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
1954 – Gyula Grosics (Hungary)
Known as the "Black Panther," Grosics revolutionized goalkeeping with his sweeping style and excellent ball-playing ability.
1958 – Harry Gregg (Northern Ireland)
Gregg's heroics carried Northern Ireland to the quarter-finals, still their best World Cup performance.
1962 – Viliam Schrojf (Czechoslovakia)
Schrojf starred as Czechoslovakia reached the final, producing several memorable saves during the tournament.
1966 – Gordon Banks (England)
Banks was instrumental in England's only World Cup triumph and remains one of football's most celebrated goalkeepers.
1970 – Ladislao Mazurkiewicz (Uruguay)
The Uruguayan legend delivered several outstanding performances and is widely regarded as one of South America's finest goalkeepers.
1974 – Sepp Maier (West Germany)
Maier's consistency and command of his penalty area helped West Germany win the World Cup on home soil.
1978 – Ubaldo Fillol (Argentina)
Fillol played a major role in Argentina's first World Cup title, producing crucial saves throughout the competition.
1982 – Dino Zoff (Italy)
At 40 years old, Zoff captained Italy to glory and remains the oldest player ever to win the FIFA World Cup.
1986 – Jean-Marie Pfaff (Belgium)
Pfaff's excellent displays helped Belgium reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
1990 – Luis Gabelo Conejo (Costa Rica) and Sergio Goycochea (Argentina)
The 1990 tournament remains the only edition with a joint selection. Conejo inspired Costa Rica's fairy-tale run to the Round of 16, while Goycochea became Argentina's penalty-saving hero.
1994 – Michel Preud'homme (Belgium)
Preud'homme became the first official winner of the Lev Yashin Award after a series of outstanding performances in the United States.
1998 – Fabien Barthez (France)
Barthez was a key figure in France's maiden World Cup triumph, conceding only two goals throughout the tournament.
2002 – Oliver Kahn (Germany)
Kahn became the first and only goalkeeper to win the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player after leading Germany to the final.
2006 – Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
Buffon conceded just two goals in the entire tournament and helped Italy lift their fourth World Cup title.
2010 – Iker Casillas (Spain)
Casillas captained Spain to their first-ever World Cup and produced several match-winning saves in the knockout rounds.
2014 – Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neuer redefined modern goalkeeping with his "sweeper-keeper" role and guided Germany to World Cup glory in Brazil.
2018 – Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Courtois produced a string of brilliant performances as Belgium secured a historic third-place finish.
2022 – Emiliano Martínez (Argentina)
Martínez became Argentina's penalty shootout specialist and made one of the greatest saves in World Cup final history against France.
A Legacy of Goalkeeping Greatness
From Enrique Ballestrero in 1930 to Emiliano Martínez in 2022, the FIFA World Cup's best goalkeepers have often defined entire tournaments. Their saves, leadership, and moments of brilliance have shaped football history and proven that winning the World Cup is not only about scoring goals; it's also about having an extraordinary goalkeeper guarding the net.
Also Read | All FIFA World Cup Winning Captains
