Gianluigi Buffon — Italy 1998–2014

Gianluigi Buffon conceded only two goals in seven matches during Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph — both an own goal and a penalty — and kept five consecutive clean sheets across the knockout rounds. His 0.29 goals-per-game rate in that tournament is 65% lower than the average World Cup-winning keeper's 0.83. Compared to #3 Lev Yashin's 0.44 career World Cup rate, Buffon's 2006 performance is statistically superior, while his 176 caps across four tournaments solidify him as the defining European goalkeeper of his era.