Dutch football icon Edwin Van der Sar is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his era. Celebrated for his calm presence, elite reflexes, and remarkable consistency, he enjoyed a decorated career with Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, and Manchester United, where he won numerous domestic and international titles. Following his retirement, Van der Sar transitioned into football management, playing a pivotal role in Ajaxâs modern resurgence. In recent interviews, he shared his picks for the greatest goalkeeper in history and the best player in Manchester United history.
In a video segment published by GOAL Global, Van der Sar was asked to choose from a group of legendary goalkeepers. While he initially leaned toward Gianluigi Buffonâciting his longevity and consistencyâthe Dutchman playfully ended up selecting himself as the best ever. His light-hearted response came after careful consideration of several icons in the position.
Alongside Buffon, Van der Sar praised the legacy of numerous greats, including Lev Yashin, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks, Sepp Maier, and Dino Zoff. According to ESPN, he acknowledged the distinct qualities of each, showing his deep respect for the evolution of goalkeeping and its history across different eras.
Van Der Sar names greatest Manchester United player of all time
When asked to name the greatest player in Manchester United history, Van der Sar faced another difficult challenge. The shortlist included global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, George Best, Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charltonânames that define the clubâs decorated past. Yet, the former United goalkeeper made a surprising and thoughtful selection.
In a similar GOAL video format, Van der Sar ultimately picked Paul Scholes as the clubâs all-time greatest player. While admitting the choice wasnât easy, he emphasized Scholesâ intelligence, technical ability, and impact on the pitch as key reasons behind his decisionâmarking an unexpected but respectful tribute to the legendary midfielder.
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Van der Sarâs career path
Van der Sar began his professional journey with Ajax in 1990, where he quickly emerged as the clubâs first-choice goalkeeper. During his nine seasons in Amsterdam, he helped the team win multiple Eredivisie titles and lifted the UEFA Champions League in 1995. His ability to read the game, distribute the ball, and lead from the back helped shape the role of the modern goalkeeper.
In 1999, he joined Juventus, becoming the first non-Italian goalkeeper to regularly start for the club. Though his time in Turin featured some challengesâincluding intense competition and inconsistent formâit offered him further experience in top-tier European soccer. After two seasons, he sought a fresh start in the English Premier League.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Van der Sar became a cornerstone of one of the most successful Manchester United sides in recent history. He won four Premier League titles, two League Cups, and the 2008 UEFA Champions League. His iconic penalty save in the final against Chelsea remains one of the most celebrated moments of his soccer career.
Van der Sar retired in 2011 at age 40, having earned more than 130 caps for the Netherlands and building a reputation as one of footballâs most consistent and composed goalkeepers. Since retiring, he has taken on executive roles at Ajax, contributing significantly to the clubâs growth both on and off the pitch.
