The number one jersey is typically reserved for goalkeepers, as it is the soccer number position for them.
Goalkeepers are regarded as the first line of defense and the first player in the lineup.
This is because they are the only players on the pitch who are allowed to use their whole body, including their hands, although in a limited area of the 18-yard box.
The goalkeeping position is also the only one that is required to be filled. Several goalkeepers in the times past have come and etched their names in the history books as one of the best goalkeepers to have ever played football.
Meanwhile, in some parts of football, especially at armature and lower League levels, it is not surprising to see outfield players wear number 1.
However, the rule at the professional football level restricts the number to the goalkeepers.
Let’s quickly take a look at the best goalkeepers in the world who wear number 1 and earned it with their performances.
Here are 20 soccer players who wear number 1 jersey.
1. Alisson (Liverpool FC)
Allison is known for his sharp reflexes, agility, and ability to play the ball with his feet. Interestingly, he wears the number 1 both at Liverpool and Brazil.
Alisson Becker, born in Brazil, is Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper, known for his exceptional shot-stopping and distribution.
He joined Liverpool in 2018 from AS Roma for a then-record fee for a goalkeeper.
Alisson inherited the number 1 jersey from Loris Karius and has since established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, helping Liverpool win the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
2. Robert Sánchez (Chelsea FC)
There is an abundance of great goalkeepers at Chelsea, yet he managed to wear the important number 1 jersey for the club.
Robert Sánchez is a Spanish goalkeeper who signed with Chelsea in 2023 from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sánchez quickly earned the number 1 jersey, succeeding Kepa Arrizabalaga, who left the club on loan.
His tall frame and quick reflexes have made him a dependable choice between the sticks as he continues to adapt to life at one of England’s top clubs.
3. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer, one of the greatest soccer goalies of all time, has been Bayern Munich’s number 1 since 2011.
Neuer, known for revolutionizing the sweeper-keeper role, took over the jersey from Hans Jörg Butt after his transfer from Schalke 04.
Over the years, Neuer has captained Bayern to multiple Bundesliga titles and UEFA Champions League victories, making him a legend at the club.
He is a goalkeeper who is good with his feet as he is with his hands, he joins his team’s defense as a fifth defender often, and he is more of a sweeper goalkeeper, always alert to danger.
The German is also currently one of the best sweeper keepers in football.
4. Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao)
Unai Simón is Athletic Bilbao’s first-choice goalkeeper, having risen through the ranks at the club.
Simón took the number 1 jersey in 2019 from Alex Remiro. He is one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga at the moment.
Known for his composure and excellent reflexes, Simón has also become Spain’s national team goalkeeper, earning recognition for his performances in major international tournaments.
5. Martin Dubravka (Newcastle United)
Martin Dubravka is a Slovakian goalkeeper who joined Newcastle United in 2018, initially on loan before making his move permanent.
He took over the number 1 jersey after a series of solid performances, replacing Rob Elliot.
Dubravka is known for his leadership and consistency in goal, playing a crucial role in Newcastle’s resurgence in recent seasons.
6. Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)
Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 from Empoli. Vicario inherited the number 1 shirt after Hugo Lloris’s departure.
His shot-stopping abilities and calm demeanor have made him a solid presence in goal, as he aims to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor and establish himself in the Premier League.
Right now, no one can deny the fact that Guglielmo Vicario is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Unfortunately, he is not the number 1 goalkeeper for the Italian national team, which is donned by Donarumma, so he settles for jersey number 12 with Italy.
7. Altay Bayindir (Manchester United)
Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir joined Manchester United in the summer of 2023 from Fenerbahce.
He was handed the number 1 jersey following the exit of long-term keeper David de Gea.
Bayindir is known for his athleticism and quick reflexes, and he is seen as a long-term solution to strengthen United’s goalkeeping department.
8. Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona)
Ter Stegen is one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the world and has been in terrific form this season.
Marc Andre ter Stegen has always wore the number 1 jersey since he joined FC Barcelona.
Marc-André ter Stegen is Barcelona’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, having joined the club in 2014 from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
He inherited the number 1 jersey from Victor Valdes and has since played a key role in Barcelona, even becoming their captain.
Ter Stegen’s exceptional distribution and shot-stopping abilities have made him one of the world’s best.
9. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Thibaut Courtois, one of the world’s top goalkeepers, joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Chelsea and initially took number 25 and then 13.
In 2020/21, Courtois inherited the number 1 jersey from Alphonse Areola and quickly solidified his place in the starting XI.
The Belgian has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s recent successes, including winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, thanks to his incredible reflexes and commanding presence.
The goalkeeper is considered the reason Real Madrid also ends up winning the Champions League, after some outstanding attacking display from opposition players, which left many surprised at the end of the game that the they can’t break the deadlock.
He has also started on form this season, although he has to had to deal with injuries.
The Belgian goalkeeper wears the number 1 shirt for the Belgian national team and Real Madrid.
10. Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Jordan Pickford, England’s number 1 goalkeeper, has been with Everton since 2017 after signing from Sunderland.
He inherited the number 1 jersey from Joel Robles upon his arrival and has since been Everton’s undisputed starter.
Known for his vocal leadership and sharp reflexes, Pickford has also earned a reputation as one of the best penalty-stoppers in the game
Game-winning saves were far too many from the goalkeeper as he had to deal with a defense short on quality.
Moreover, he is also the Three Lions’ first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup.
The English goalkeeper wears the number 1 jersey for England and Everton.
11. Mattia Perin (Juventus FC)
Mattia Perin joined Juventus as a backup goalkeeper from Genoa in 2018 and was wearing number 36.
He often played second fiddle to Wojciech Szczęsny as his experience and reliability made him an important squad player, and he often steps in during cup competitions or when Szczęsny was unavailable.
Following the latter’s retirement this summer, Perin now has the chance to make himself the indisputable starter for Juventus and has switched to the number 1 jersey.
12. Alex Meret (SSC Napoli)
Italian goalkeeper Alex Meret is Napoli’s first-choice goalkeeper, having joined the club in 2018 from Udinese.
Meret inherited the number 1 jersey from Rafael Cabral and has grown into the role over the years.
The Italian showstopper is widely regarded for his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, Meret helped Napoli secure the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season.
13. Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
Undoubtedly one of the most underrated goalkeepers of his generation, Yann Sommer is one of the top soccer players who wear number 1.
Swiss international Yann Sommer signed for Inter Milan in 2023 after a brief stint at Bayern Munich.
Sommer inherited the number 1 jersey following the retirement of Samir Handanovic.
His agility and experience make him a dependable presence between the posts and will be key to Inter’s title defense this season.
14. Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Dean Henderson joined Crystal Palace in 2023 from Manchester United after seeking regular first-team football and initially took the number 30.
He was handed the number 1 jersey in 2024 from Sam Johnstone as he had became a key player for the club.
Henderson, known for his confidence and sharp reflexes, previously spent successful loan spells at Sheffield United before solidifying his position at Palace.
15. José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers):
José Sá is a Portuguese goalkeeper who signed with Wolves in 2021 from Olympiacos.
Sá inherited the number 1 jersey from Carl Ikeme and was immediately impressed with his shot-stopping and distribution skills.
His consistent performances have been key to Wolves’ competitiveness in the Premier League.
16. Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)
Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel joined Borussia Dortmund in 2021 from VfB Stuttgart.
He took the number 1 jersey from Roman Burki upon his arrival and has since been a vital part of Dortmund’s defense.
Kobel is known for his height, commanding presence, and ability to make crucial saves in high-pressure moments.
17. Lukáš Hrádecky (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen went undefeated in the Bundesliga last season and while many of their attacking players got the ovation, Lukáš Hrádecký played a significant role.
Finnish goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký has been Bayer Leverkusen’s number 1 since joining the club in 2018 from Eintracht Frankfurt.
He took over the number 1 jersey after Bernd Leno’s departure and has been a consistent and reliable presence in goal, helping Leverkusen win their first-ever Bundesliga UNBEATEN last season.
18. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
Gianluigi Donnarumma joined PSG in 2021 from AC Milan after winning the Euro 2020 tournament with Italy.
Donnarumma inherited the number 1 jersey from Keylor Navas and has since been the first choice for the French giants.
His imposing stature and exceptional reflexes have made him one of the top goalkeepers in Europe.
Gianluigi Donnarumma also wears the number 1 jersey for the Italian national team.
19. Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig)
Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi has been RB Leipzig’s number 1 since 2015, after joining from Red Bull Salzburg.
He inherited the number 1 jersey in 2018, following Fabio Coltorti’s departure, and has since been a mainstay for the club.
Gulácsi’s leadership and shot-stopping abilities have been integral to Leipzig’s rise in German football.
20. Łukasz Fabiański (West Ham United)
At this point, it seems that Fabianski has been around for decades.
Łukasz Fabiański, the veteran Polish goalkeeper, joined West Ham in 2018 from Swansea City.
He took over the number 1 jersey from Darren Rondolph, and has been the club’s primary goalkeeper, known for his reliability and leadership.
Fabiański has been crucial to West Ham’s recent successes, including their strong performances in European competitions.
