The UEFA Euro has seen some incredible goalkeepers over the years, with some bonafide legends amazing us with their skills and saves. From David Seaman’s heroics against Scotland for England in 1996 to Yann Sommer’s masterclass against France for Switzerland in 2021, the stories are storied and celebrated by fans irrespective of their loyalties.
A reliable goalkeeper has been at the heart of every Euro-winning team and in this article, we take a look at the goalkeepers with the most appearances in Euros over the years:
#5 Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris has 15 appearances in the UEFA Euros, a competition he has played in 3 editions- 2012, 2016, and 2020. He was a part of the Les Blues side that lost the UEFA Euro 2016 final to Portugal but he redeemed himself 2 years later as France lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The French legend also made 2 critical saves towards the end of the UEFA Nations League 2021 final against Spain, which helped France win 2-1. Apart from his titles with France, Lloris has also won multiple individual awards, especially from his time at Tottenham Hotspurs where he made over 400 appearances.
Having started his career at Nice, then moving to Lyon, then Spurs and now at Los Angeles, the 37-year old has been one of the very best between the posts in the past decade.
#4 Edwin van der Sar
Van der Sar is a legend for both Ajax and Manchester United
A part of Ajax’s golden generation in the 1990s, Edwin van der Sar has 16 appearances at the Euros – 2000, 2004, and 2008 where they lost in the quarter-final to Russia. Interestingly at that point in time, Edwin van der Sar had the most minutes in the European Championships than any other player in history.
A serial winner at the club level, van der Sar also played for Juventus and Manchester United and has 8 league titles to his name across Europe. A goalkeeper with exceptional intelligence, he is definitely one of the greatest goalkeepers from Europe in history.
#3 Rui Patricio
Nicknamed ‘Sao Patricio’ which translates to Saint Patricio for his exceptional record under the crossbars for Portugal, Rui Patricio is arguably the best goalie the Seleccao have ever produced.
With 16 appearances across 4 European Championships to his name, he won the 2016 UEFA Euros and is best remembered for his save against Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski in the quarter-final penalty shootout at the Stade Velodrome. He was also a member of the Portuguese team that won the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
A product of the famed Sporting CP academy, Rui Patricio won 7 titles with the club before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers in England. Currently playing his trade for AS Roma, the 36-year old won the 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League and finished as runners-up in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League.
#2 Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time
The Italian icon is one of the few recorded players in history with over 1100 professional appearances to his name – so it is of no surprise that he has 17 appearances in UEFA Euros as well.
He missed out on featuring in UEFA Euro 2000 due to a broken hand but has featured in every Euro till 2016. He also holds the record for the most appearances for Italy – 176. Gianluigi Buffon came close to winning the Euro in 2012 but Spain outplayed the Azzuris in the final.
The 2006 World Cup winner’s greatest legacy at the club level is definitely with Juventus, for whom he was the world-record signee in 2001. He has won 10 league titles and 6 Coppa Italia titles in a total of 2 stints with the Grand Old Lady and is a 3-time UEFA Champions League runner-up.
#1 Manuel Neuer
Easily regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Manuel Neuer leads this list with 18 appearances and counting at the Euros. Named as the best goalkeeper of the decade between 2011 to 2020 by IFFHS, the 38-year old has revolutionised the “Sweeper-Keeper” role.
Featuring in Germany’s squad at every Euro since 2012, his appearance against Scotland in the UEFA Euro 2024 marked his 35th appearance for the national side in a major tournament final which is a new record – a fitting record for someone who has redefined the modern goalkeeper and won a FIFA World Cup as well.
At the club level, he has excelled for FC Bayern Munich for whom he has won 2 trebles, which includes a sextuple as well. He was a part of the Munich team that won 11 successive Bundesliga titles as well, a streak that was only broken by Bayer Leverkusen this year.