ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 21: Unai Simon #23 of Spain walks out the tunnel for the warm up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Athletic Club star Unai Simón has on Monday evening beaten out stiff competition to the award for Goalkeeper of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
This of course comes chiefly owing to his exploits on the international stage with Spain.
Despite the presence of both Arsenal standout David Raya and Barcelona No.1 García in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, Simón maintained his status as first-choice in Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish squad at this summer’s World Cup.
And en route to eventual glory for La Roja in North America, the 29-year-old, remarkably, saw just a solitary goal make its way past him.
After also remaining an ever-present for Athletic Club over the course of the 2025/26 campaign, Simón was in turn put forward for the ‘Yashin Trophy’ by France Football.
And as announced on Monday evening at the Ballon d’Or gala, the Spaniard has ultimately staved off the likes of Raya, Joan and Thibaut Courtois to be named world football’s best goalkeeper for the last 12 months:
UNAI SIMON IS THE 2026 MEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR! The 2026 World Cup winner 🧤🌎#ballondor pic.twitter.com/U5qzuFo2Rz
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026
Conor Laird – GSFN