Iker Casillas has been named the world's Best Goalkeeper in 2008 with a wide margin over second best, Italian Gianluigi Buffon, according to the classification produced by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
This is the first time Casillas wins this award in 22 years. The 27-year-old Spaniard impressed consistently with some spectacular saves and was primarily down to his feat during the year as he won La Liga title with Real Madrid and lead Spain to the Euro 2008 triumph.
Juventus keeper Buffon, who was the 2007 title-holder, finished second mainly because a series of injuries that prevented him from playing most part of the current season.
Netherlands goalie Edwin van der Sar, who won the Premier League and Champions League with Manchester United, took the third place, ahead of Czech Republic and Chelsea stopper Petr Čech, who dropped from third to fourth.
The votes were cast by a panel of selected editorial staffs and experts from 85 countries, who picked their top four players in each position and allocated four points for their first choice, three points for second, and so on.
The accolade will be presented on the occasion of the 25 Years IFFHS & World Football Gala on 16th March 2009 in France.
Top 10 World's Best Goalkeeper in 2008
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This is the first time Casillas wins this award in 22 years. The 27-year-old Spaniard impressed consistently with some spectacular saves and was primarily down to his feat during the year as he won La Liga title with Real Madrid and lead Spain to the Euro 2008 triumph.
Juventus keeper Buffon, who was the 2007 title-holder, finished second mainly because a series of injuries that prevented him from playing most part of the current season.
Netherlands goalie Edwin van der Sar, who won the Premier League and Champions League with Manchester United, took the third place, ahead of Czech Republic and Chelsea stopper Petr Čech, who dropped from third to fourth.
The votes were cast by a panel of selected editorial staffs and experts from 85 countries, who picked their top four players in each position and allocated four points for their first choice, three points for second, and so on.
The accolade will be presented on the occasion of the 25 Years IFFHS & World Football Gala on 16th March 2009 in France.
Top 10 World's Best Goalkeeper in 2008
| Name | Club | Nationality | Points | |
| 1. | Iker Casillas | Real Madrid | Spain | 249 |
| 2. | Gianluigi Buffon | Juventus | Italy | 170 |
| 3. | Edwin van der Sar | Manchester United | Netherlands | 143 |
| 4. | Petr Čech | Chelsea | Czech Republic | 108 |
| 5. | Igor Akinfeev | CSKA Moscow | Russia | 23 |
| 6. | José Cevallos | LDU Quito | Ecuador | 21 |
| 7. | Júlio César | Inter Milan | Brazil | 18 |
| 8. | José Manuel Reina | Liverpool | Spain | 15 |
| 9. | Jens Lehmann | VfB Stuttgart | Germany | 13 |
| 10. | Justo Villar | Real Valladolid | Paraguay | 12 |
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