Spain and Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón don claim di Yashin Trophy as di best goalkeeper for world football, for di 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony wey France Football organise for di London Palladium Theatre on Monday, October 26.
Simón win di men’s award after e beat nine other nominees. Among dem na Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García, Arsenal number one David Raya and Paris Saint-Germain keeper Matvei Safonov. Di rest of di shortlist na Yassine Bounou of Morocco and Al-Hilal, Gregor Kobel of Switzerland and Borussia Dortmund, Emiliano Martínez of Argentina and Chelsea, Senegal’s Edouard Mendy of Al-Ahli, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha of Colo-Colo.
Im work for di 2026 FIFA World Cup na im carry di honour. Simón serve as Spain first-choice goalkeeper through di tournament, and e collect di World Cup Golden Glove after e concede just one goal in eight matches. Di Spanish keeper also set tournament record with 650-minute run without letting ball enter im net. Dat streak start with im final two matches at di 2022 World Cup and continue through di first six and a half matches of di 2026 tournament.
E no stop for national team. Simón also stand solid for goal for Athletic Club during dia LaLiga campaign, and na dat club form plus im World Cup run wey put am ahead of di pack.
Some of di keepers wey lose out to am get strong case on paper. David Raya star for Arsenal during dia Premier League-winning campaign, while Matvei Safonov win di UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain. Emiliano Martínez reach di World Cup final, and Vozinha come out as one of di heroes of di tournament for Cape Verde.
For di women side, Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll carry di award. Coll win quadruple with di Catalan giants last season — Liga F, di Copa de la Reina, di Spanish Super Cup, and di UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Di Yashin Trophy na di prize wey dem dey give to di best-performing goalkeepers in men’s and women’s football, and na France Football dey hand am out during di Ballon d’Or ceremony.
