Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll has been awarded the women’s Yashin Trophy at the annual Ballon d’Or gala, cementing her status as the top-performing shot-stopper of the previous season. The Barcelona and Spain international was also nominated for the player of the year award before securing the prestigious goalkeeping honor, taking over the mantle from English goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to become the second recipient in the award’s history.
Coll put together an exceptional individual campaign for both club and country. Across 39 appearances in all competitions, she kept 23 clean sheets, leading all goalkeepers with five shutouts in the Champions League. While squad rotations prevented her from securing another Zamora Trophy in domestic play, her efficiency was starkly apparent as she conceded only six goals in 17 league matches, finishing with a goals-against average of 0.35.
On the collective front, Coll was instrumental in Barcelona’s historic quadruple, capturing the Liga title, the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Supercopa, and the Champions League. Following the continental triumph in Oslo, Coll reflected on the team’s resilience through external pressure, stating that after a year of facing criticism, the squad deserved praise. Her success extended to the international stage, where she helped the Spanish national team win the Nations League and secure qualification for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
At just 25 years old, the Mallorcan-born player has established herself as a cornerstone for Barcelona, having recently signed a contract extension keeping her at the club through June 2029. Having developed through the ranks at Atletico Marratxi, Collerense, and Sevilla before joining the Catalan club in 2020, Coll continues to solidify her reputation as one of the game’s premier defensive talents.
