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The 8 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winners
SEN • May 8th, 2026 3:40 pm
Goalkeepers are far too often forgotten.
Everyone is usually so besotted with the strikers, wingers and attacking midfielders that the man with the gloves can frequently be overlooked.
But there are some keepers who live on in football folklore after starring performances at the FIFA World Cup.
These are the 8 keepers who have won the World Cup's Golden Glove (previously Lev Yashin Award) which dates back to 1994.
The 8 Golden Glove winners
1994 (USA) - Michel Preud'homme (Belgium)
In his second World Cup, 35-year-old Preud'homme helped Belgium reach the Round of 16. Kept two clean sheets in four appearances, conceding four goals.
1998 (France) - Fabien Barthez (France)
Barthez was a key pillar in France's home World Cup triumph. He let in just two goals in seven games, keeping five clean sheets. The Frenchman only copped a goal every 342 minutes. Remarkable.
2002 (South Korea/Japan) - Oliver Kahn (Germany)
Der Titan led from the back as Germany made it to the Final against expectations. Kahn kept five clean sheets, conceding just three goals in seven outings, two of which came in the Final defeat to Brazil. The German captain also won the Golden Ball in 2002 as the tournament's best overall player.
2006 (Germany) - Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
'Gigi', widely considered Italy's best ever gloveman, let in only two goals in seven appearances in 2006. The Azzurri won the title by beating France in a shootout in Germany, conceding a goal every 345 minutes. Buffon kept five clean sheets.
2010 (South Africa) - Iker Casillas (Spain)
Spain's ever-present portero was a colossus in 2010. Casillas copped only two goals in seven matches with five clean sheets. He was instrumental in keeping the Dutch team goalless in the Final.
2014 (Brazil) - Manuel Neuer (Germany)
The second great German goalie to take home the award. Neuer's presence was irrefutable in Brazil as Die Mannschaft won their fourth World Cup title. Seven appearances, four clean sheets, four goals conceded and a clean sheet in the Final triumph over Messi and Argentina.
2018 (Russia) - Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Courtois helped Belgium to a third-placed finish in Russia with three clean sheets in seven outings, conceding six goals. His performances led to a big-money move from Chelsea to Real Madrid later that European summer.
2022 (Qatar) - Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
The quirky Emi Martinez was a key reason why Argentina won their third World Cup title. He conceded eight goals in seven games with three clean sheets. Saved two penalties in the quarter-final shootout win over Holland and made some massive saves, including one in the shootout, as Argentina beat France in the Final.
The FIFA World Cup 26™ in the USA, Mexico and Canada kicks off on Friday, June 12. You can hear EVERY GAME LIVE across the SEN network.
