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Best Ajax Goalkeepers Of All Time

By admin 10 Tháng 10, 2025

From the moment the first white-red shirt stepped between the posts at De Meer, Ajax has prized not just flair in attack but steel in goal. In a club culture built on total football and technical excellence, the goalkeeper isn’t just a shot-stopper — he’s a constructor, a leader, and often a legend. In this article, EquaGoal will take you on a journey through the decades to identify the best Ajax goalkeepers of all time — the ones whose names echo in the halls of De Godenzonen history.

We’ll consider clean sheet records, longevity, trophies won, influence on play, and iconic moments. Below is our definitive list — with surprising omissions and debates — and insight into what sets each apart.

Table of Contents

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  • The criteria behind greatness
  • Legends of Ajax goalkeeping
    • Edwin van der Sar (1990–1999)
    • Stanleynzo (1983–1994)
    • Piet Schrijvers (1974–1983)
    • Maarten Stekelenburg (2002–2011, return spell)
    • Heinz Stuy (1967–1976)
    • Fred Grim (1994–1999, 2000–2002)
  • Honorable mentions & modern candidates
  • Debates and tricky decisions
  • Final Thoughts

The criteria behind greatness

Before naming the names, let’s define what “greatest” really means at a club like Ajax:

  • Longevity & appearances: Sustained performance over many seasons.
  • Clean sheets & shot-stopping: Quantity and consistency of keeping the net untouched.
  • Titles & moments: Domestic and European successes, and defining matches that cement status.
  • Modern influence & style: In recent eras, command of the box, distribution, footwork.
  • Myth & legend: Sometimes the aura, the cult status, the memory matters.

Using these filters, here are the top candidates — in no strict rank order, but all contenders for the title of greatest Ajax goalkeeper.

Legends of Ajax goalkeeping

Edwin van der Sar (1990–1999)

No list begins without him. Van der Sar broke through as a teenage talent, growing into a titan during Ajax’s golden era in the 1990s. He served between the sticks in Ajax’s 1995 Champions League triumph, and anchored teams that reached two European finals.

He registered 139 clean sheets in 312 appearances, second only to Menzo in club history. (Menzo holds ~150 clean sheets in 322 games)  Van der Sar combined calm composure, superb shot stopping, and distribution skills rare for his time. He also won multiple Eredivisie titles, KNVB Cups, and left Ajax to enjoy illustrious spells abroad — cementing his status in global football history.

Van der Sar’s legacy at Ajax is not just in numbers but in identity: he became the blueprint for modern keeper — comfortable with the ball, orchestrating defenses, and rarely letting emotion dictate performance.

Stanleynzo (1983–1994)

If Van der Sar is the class of his era, Stanley Menzo is its heartbeat. A product of Ajax’s youth setup, Menzo rose to be the main guardian during the 1980s and early 1990s. Over 300 official matches for Ajax, he recorded 150 clean sheets, which remains the club record.

His tenure spanned turbulent eras and the evolution of Dutch football. He had to adapt through different managers, shifting tactical demands, and European challenges. Beyond numbers, Menzo’s loyalty, character, and cult following in Amsterdam place him firmly among the all-time greats. Ajax even devoted a documentary to him exploring “the pressure of the goal.”

Piet Schrijvers (1974–1983)

Before Menzo and Van der Sar, we had Piet Schrijvers, known by fans as “The Bear.” He made 269 league appearances for Ajax, scored one goal, and tallied 122 clean sheets in all competitions.

He brought solidity and presence during a less glamorous period of Ajax’s history but still contributed to five Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups. His experience and reliability helped bridge the gap between Ajax’s 1970s European successes and the rise of the 1980s.

Maarten Stekelenburg (2002–2011, return spell)

In modern times, Ajax has had few custodians as technically complete as Maarten Stekelenburg. From his first-team breakthrough in 2002 onward, he gradually took over as the starting kee. ])

Over his Ajax career, he amassed 121 clean sheets in 311 matches — a fantastic return in a high-press, attacking club context.  Tall, confident, and modern in his approach, Stekelenburg also earned national team honors and bridged Ajax’s past and present.

Heinz Stuy (1967–1976)

Ajax’s first European Cup era demands a kee. He was part of the team that won the European Cup three times in a row (1971, 1972, 1973), and set a notable record: 270 consecutive minutes in European Cup finals without conceding.

He’s also credited with more than 100 clean sheets in his Ajax career.  In an era before modern training methods, Stuy’s bravery, commanding aerial ability, and no-nonsense style carved his place in Ajax folklore.

Fred Grim (1994–1999, 2000–2002)

Grim was a quieter figure in the hierarchy, often in the shadow of Van der Sar, yet essential. He spent a cumulative ten years with Ajax, filling in during transitions and delivering when needed.

In the twilight of his playing days, he became Ajax’s starter after Van der Sar’s departure, helping bring home the 1998–99 double (Eredivisie + KNVB Cup).  His role as a steady, reliable presence gives him rightful inclusion among the best.

Honorable mentions & modern candidates

Ajax’s history is deep, so no list is exhaustive. A few names deserve nods:

  • Kenneth Vermeer: A product of Ajax’s youth, played during a successful domestic era, and kept ~50 clean sheets in 139 appearances.
  • Jasper Cillessen: Though his time was shorter, his performances were often match-winning, and he accrued ~63 clean sheets in 143 matches.
  • André Onana: A recent star, his aggressive style, footwork, and big-game presence hint he might one day enter such a list — though his Ajax tenure was relatively brief.

Debates and tricky decisions

  • Menzo vs Van der Sar: Who holds the crown? Menzo leads in raw clean sheets, but Van der Sar’s European success and long global career tilt many scales his way.
  • Era bias: Comparing Stuy.
  • Modern keepers: Onana, Gorter, and others may yet overtake records — future decades may rewrite this list.

Final Thoughts

The best Ajax goalkeepers of all time represent more than shot-stopping. They are pillars, icons, legends. Van der Sar brought global renown. Menzo holds the clean-sheet crown. Stekelenburg bridged eras. Schrijvers and Stuy laid foundations. Grim steadied in flux.

If you had to pick one — Van der Sar remains the most complete in trophy haul, international reputation, and transformative impact. But in Amsterdam, each fan may hold a different kee, let EquaGoal know — we can build similar lists (best Ajax defenders, strikers, midfield legends), and update rankings when the next great kee

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