Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, his individual contributions have earned him a record four consecutive UEFA Best European Goalkeeper awards, as well as three IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper awards, and two German Footballer of the Year trophies.
Considerado como un dos mellores porteiros de todos os tempos, as súas contribucións individuais fixeron que obtivera o récord de gañar catro anos consecutivos o premio de Mellor Porteiro de Europa da UEFA, ademais de tres premios de Mellor porteiro do Mundo segundo a IFFHS e dous trofeos como Futbolista do ano en Alemaña.