Goalkeeper Career Game: build a career

In Football Career Sim: Be a Pro, a goalkeeper has a full career just like a striker. Start in the youth team at 17 and choose your path through your first-team debut, transfers, national team and retirement. Your record tracks saves and clean sheets instead of goals. Goalkeeper and striker are free from the start.

As of November 2, 2026. Written by YT Lab, the makers of Football Career Sim: Be a Pro, using the game rules and careers actually completed by players.

A later peak and a longer career

Goalkeepers peak at 31, the latest of the five positions. Strikers peak at 27 and wingers at 26. Outfield players receive less playing time each year after 36; goalkeepers hold on until 38.

The careers players have completed show the same pattern. The 4,164 retired goalkeepers played an average of 21.5 seasons and retired at 38.3. Strikers averaged 18.1 seasons and retired at 34.9. The oldest goalkeeper retired at 46.

Saves and clean sheets on the record

A goalkeeper's season record includes appearances, clean sheets, saves and penalty saves. Clean sheets contribute to monthly growth points and each clean sheet earns two Player of the Month points. Games without conceding help you grow.

Retired goalkeepers averaged 160 clean sheets, with a record of 494. They can record assists even without goals: the highest career total by one goalkeeper is 21.

Goalkeeper awards

Save of the Month is awarded for regular first-team appearances that month and a clean sheet, MOM and rating of at least 7.5 in your best match of the month.

Clean Sheet Leader is a goalkeeper award available after at least 22 league appearances in a season. Goalkeepers can also earn Team of the Season and Player of the Year.

World Player of the Year is the highest hurdle for a goalkeeper. You must win the Champions Cup, league, national-team tournament and Clean Sheet Leader in the same season. Miss one and you finish second even if you top the vote. Goalkeepers rarely win the equivalent award in real football, which is why the rule is strict. See World Player of the Year requirements.

Five goalkeeper styles

Choose a play style when you start. Managers prefer different styles, so your choice also affects playing time.

Sweeper keeper Pushes the line up and clears the space behind it

Shot stopper Reflexes that stop the big chances

Commander Moves the back four with his voice

Aerial keeper Claims everything that comes into the box

All-rounder No obvious weakness

Frequently asked questions

Can I play as a goalkeeper for free?

Yes. Goalkeeper and striker are free from the start. Defender, midfielder and winger are unlocked with the position pack.

Can a goalkeeper win World Player of the Year?

Yes, but it is hardest for a goalkeeper. Win the Champions Cup, league, national-team tournament and Clean Sheet Leader in the same season.

How long can a goalkeeper play?

Age does not reduce playing time until after 38. The average retirement age among completed goalkeeper careers is 38.3.