Nottingham Forest finished in seventh place last season to earn European qualification for the first time in 30 years.
Forest are awaiting a UEFA verdict over whether or not Crystal Palace will be granted their place in the Europa League back and subsequently knock the Reds back down to the UEFA Conference League.
Forest have worked hard this summer to add meat to the bones of a squad that massively overachieved last season and captured the hearts of the fan base.
Morgan Gibbs-White was one of the stars of the show last season and heβs now signed a new contract at the club to soften the blow of Anthony Elanga moving to Newcastle.
One star from last yearβs squad has now done something pretty spectacular, considering he plays for Forest and not one of the worldβs more glamorous clubs.
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Matz Sels nominated for world recognition
FIFA have today announced the nominees for the Goalkeeper of the Year award, with Sels chosen among the worldβs elite custodians.
Sels is on the list among some seriously big-hitters, including Alisson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, David Raya and Jan Oblak.
The 33-year-old won the Golden Glove last season, with Sels sharing the award with Arsenal stopper Raya after both keepers claimed 13 clean sheets.
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Sels is now up for the reputable award and it would be great to see him win the prize ahead of some seriously impressive goalkeepers from across the globe.
π¨ OFFICIAL: Yashine Trophy nominees for the πππ¬π ππ¨ππ₯π€πππ©ππ« ππππ at the Ballon dβOr π«
Whoβd you vote for as keeper of the year? π³οΈ pic.twitter.com/XWxBXg7JJk
β Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2025
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Sels emulates Des Walker and Brice Samba
Sels has now joined an elite group of players with Forest connections to have been nominated for an accolade at the Ballon dβOr awards night.
Brice Samba had actually left Forest when he got nominated for this very award, being rewarded for his efforts in helping Lens reach the Champions League just 12 months after departing.
Des Walker was different, though and in 1990, he was on the list of players gunning for the award and finished in 16th place on the overall list.
Trevor Francis, Peter Shilton and John Robertson have all also featured among the nominees whilst playing for Forest and now Sels will hope to get his hands on the prize.