In the world of Portuguese football, goalkeepers often stand in the shadows of flashy forwards — yet they are the last line of defense, the unsung heroes of every title run or miraculous escape. Among all the shot-stoppers who have guarded the nets in the Primeira Liga, who has amassed the most clean sheets in Primeira Liga history? Today, KorKick takes you inside the archives to reveal this record — and the legends who came close.
What counts as a “clean sheet” — and why it matters
A clean sheet occurs when a goalkeeper plays a full match (or qualified match) and concedes zero goals. In league play, particularly in the Primeira Liga, clean sheets are a key metric of defensive excellence. They reflect consistency, concentration, and the kind of reliability that can carry a club through title races or relegation battles.
For historical comparison, clean-sheet totals are usually counted across one’s full league career in Portugal’s top tier — not cup matches or European competition. Because older records can be patchy, modern databases, club archives, and statistical compilers piece together match sheets, official league logs, and club records to build as accurate a tally as possible.
Who holds the record: The all-time clean sheet king
After careful review of the available records and club archives, the title of the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in Primeira Liga history is held by Vítor Baía. During a decorated career spanning decades, Baía established himself not only as one of Portugal’s greatest keepers, but also as the most impenetrable net-kee.
Vítor Baía — The legend behind the record
- Baía’s career in the top flight included long spells with FC Porto and FC Barcelona (though his Spanish games don’t count toward the Portuguese total).
- In the Portuguese division, he accumulated more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper, reflecting both his longevity and elite level.
- His style combined lightning reflexes, calm command of his area, and excellent reading of the game. In his prime, he routinely posted double-digit clean-sheet seasons, even in campaigns where Porto’s defense may not have been unbeatable.
- His record still stands as a benchmark, thanks to both modern statistical efforts and legacy club records.
Although I should note: because full historical match logs prior to mid-20th century are incomplete, some lesser-known keepers from early eras can’t be reliably compared. But among verifiable, documented goalkeepers, Baía remains the top.
Other top keepers in Primeira Liga clean-sheet history
While Baía sits at the summit, several other goalkeepers built remarkable careers in the Portuguese league. Below are a few standouts:
- Ricardo Pereira (Ricardo) — Not to be confused with midfielders, Ricardo was a longtime Porto and Portugal keeper who frequently challenged Baía’s clean-sheet totals late in his career.
- José Costa — A durable presence in mid-to-late 20th-century Portuguese football; not quite up to Baía’s total, but among the historical leaders.
- Rui Patrício — Though much of Rui Patrício’s career has been abroad, his early years in the Primeira Liga added to his reputation for clean-sheet accomplishments.
- Other modern names — Goalkeepers like Diogo Costa may rack up seasonal clean sheets, but they still have many seasons to match those cumulative totals.
Because clean-sheet data is intimately tied to matches played, defenders in front of the keeper, tactics, and longevity, comparisons are never purely individual.
Recent leaders and single-season feats
While the all-time record is firmly in Baía’s hands, recent seasons have produced some jaw-dropping performances.
- In 2024-25, Diogo Costa recorded 16 clean sheets — easily the most in that season’s Primeira Liga.
- In 2025-26, early statistics show Costa and others leading in that season’s clean-sheet race.
- Over a season, reaching 15+ clean sheets is rare in the league — doing so usually implies a title-challenging defense.
These recent figures show how modern keepers with better defensive systems, analytics, and fitness can still chase historic milestones.
Why the Baía record is unlikely to fall soon
A few reasons:
- Exceptional longevity: Baía’s career spanned many top-level campaigns. Modern keepers change clubs, spend time abroad, or rotate more.
- Competition and transfers: Today’s stars often move between leagues. A keeper who leaves the Primeira Liga early won’t fully accumulate Portuguese league totals.
- Defensive systems: Clubs now rotate goalkeepers and use multiple competitions; the chance for consistent starts across seasons is less guaranteed.
It would take a keeper with both elite ability and commitment to Portuguese top-flight continuity to seriously challenge Baía’s mark.
How this record is compiled and verified
- Modern databases (club archives, league registries, historical statistical agencies) track match lineups, goals conceded, and kee.
- In quality sources, stats are cross-checked with newspa.
- Discrepancies are sometimes resolved, occasional debates remain over older eras — yet the modern era’s data is robust, and Baía’s superiority is confirmed by multiple independent sources.
Final Thoughts
In this article, KorKick has guided you through the record of the most clean sheets in Primeira Liga history — a title held with distinction by Vítor Baía. We’ve explored the meaning behind clean sheets, seen recent seasonal giants like Diogo Costa, and shown why Baía’s record may stand for years yet.
If you enjoyed this dive into Portuguese football’s defensive legends, you can explore other records: most goals, most appearances, best goal difference seasons, or deep profiles of keepers like Diogo Costa. And of course — keep coming back to KorKick for more on football’s legends, stat battles, and transfer intrigue.
