Maduka Okoye names Ter Stegen, Courtois, Donnarumma as top three goalkeepers, calls Donnarumma the best currently

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has selected his top three goalkeepers in world football, naming Marc-André ter Stegen, Thibaut Courtois, and Gianluigi Donnarumma as the best shot-stoppers in the game. While he placed Ter Stegen first due to personal admiration, Okoye clearly stated that Donnarumma is currently operating at the highest level.

“For me, No. 1 is Ter Stegen, then Courtois and Donnarumma,” Okoye said. “Ter Stegen is No. 1 for me because when I was a young player at Borussia Mönchengladbach, he was already playing with the U-19s and I always looked up to him. But right now, I think Donnarumma is the strongest goalkeeper. At the moment, he’s the best. He is on a different level.”

Okoye explained that his respect for Barcelona captain Ter Stegen stems from their shared football background in Germany. Ter Stegen has spent over a decade at Barcelona, winning multiple La Liga and Copa del Rey titles, and was a key figure in the club’s historic treble-winning 2014/15 season. He also earned La Liga Player of the Season honours in 2022/23 after conceding only 18 goals in 38 league matches.

Courtois, the Belgian goalkeeper, is renowned for his big-game performances. He was instrumental in Real Madrid’s 2022 UEFA Champions League final victory over Liverpool, where he made nine saves and won Man of the Match. His accolades include the 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove, The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award, and the Yashin Trophy.

Donnarumma, the Italy international who plays for Manchester City, has remained among the elite goalkeepers for years. Okoye noted that the Italian further enhanced his reputation after helping Paris Saint-Germain win their first UEFA Champions League title in the 2024/25 season before his move to City.

Okoye himself has enjoyed a career resurgence at Udinese following a difficult spell at Watford. The 26-year-old, who joined Udinese in August 2023, made 30 league appearances in the 2025/26 season, keeping 10 clean sheets and conceding only 37 goals. Highlights included three consecutive clean sheets and a memorable 3-0 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro. His form has also helped him reclaim the number-one spot with the Nigerian national team, featuring in recent international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.