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 10 football players who wear number 1 jersey.
1. Alisson Becker
If you think Brazil’s selection headache for coach Tite is mild or restricted to the outfield players, then you have thought wrong because Brazil is spoilt for choice in every position.
With two goalkeepers being number one in the Premier League with Liverpool and Manchester City, it is Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker who is the first choice for the samba boys.
Allison is known for his sharp reflexes, agility, and ability to play the ball with his feet. He wears the number 1 both at Liverpool and Brazil.
2. Hugo Lloris
Tottenham Hotspurs’ undisputed number one for a long time Hugo Lloris, makes this list on the back of his performances despite being 36.
Lloris has been tremendous for the North London club, and four years ago at the World Cup, he won the FIFA World Cup with France. He is also poised to remain the number one goalkeeper going into the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Hugo Lloris currently dons the number 1 shirt for France and Tottenham Hotspurs.
3. Kepa Arizzabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga did not start the season as the first choice at Stamford Bridge even though he is the one who has the figure one at the back of his Jersey but midway into the season, and he has managed to steal the first choice spot from Eduoard Mendy.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is one of the most expensive goalkeepers in football history, and he has been making some expensive sales for Chelsea in recent Premier League matches.
He’s already been chosen as one of the five players goalkeepers for Spain’s World Cup provisional list.
4. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois won La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid last season, and although that happened months ago, his performance on the night in Paris is unforgettable.
He is undoubtedly the best football players who wears the number 1 jersey currently.
The goalkeeper is considered the reason Real Madrid lifted the title after some outstanding attacking display from Liverpool, which left many surprised at the end of the game that the reds couldn’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.
5. David De Gea
The fact that there was an uproar when Luis Enrique released his 55-man professional list with five keepers and never included Manchester United David de Gea showed a lot about how highly he is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Nevertheless, David De Gea is still one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
His supposed weakness Is his inability or comfortability at playing with the ball on his feet. Nevertheless, De Gea is one of the goalkeepers that knows how to make outstanding saves between the stick.
The Spaniard wears the number 1 shirt at Manchester United.
6. Aaron Ramsdale
Most footballers who wear number 1 do so for the football clubs, and not their national team like Aaron Ramsdale.
England has not been short on quality goalkeepers, and it’s tremendous how quickly Aaron Ramsdale rose to reckon to fight Jordan Pickford for the Three Lions’ number one spot.
At Arsenal, he wears the number one at his back, and he had to beat German goalkeeper Bernd Leno and become the undisputed number one.
7. Marc Andre Ter Stegen
Germany isn’t always short of top goalkeepers any day; At the same time, Manuel Neuer rules Bayern Munich from between the sticks, and Andre Ter Stegen, who deputizes him at the national team level, rules at the camp Nou as the undisputed number one.
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.
8. Jan Oblak
Considered the most underrated goalkeeper in the world, Jan Oblak plays for Atletico Madrid, and on his day, he is unstoppable.
The goalkeeper was crucial in recent seasons, winning La Liga and also helping them to the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Jan Oblak wears the number 1 shirt for Slovenia, but the number 13 for Atlético Madrid.
9. Manuel Neuer
Considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Manuel Neuer had been unmovable as Bayern Munich’s number 1 for several seasons.
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 currently one of the best sweeper keepers in football.
The former Schalke 04 goalkeeper has been a World Cup winner in 2014.
Manuel Neuer wears the number 1 jersey for both Bayern Munich and Germany.
10. Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford is one of the reasons Everton is still a Premier League club after he and Richarlison remained the only players in form for the whole of last season.
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.
