Spanish international and Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón has been awarded the Yashin Trophy in London, cementing his status as the premier shot-stopper in global football after a stellar campaign highlighted by international glory and defensive milestones.
Originally established as the best goalkeeper award at the World Cup, the Yashin Trophy transitioned in 2019 into a global annual recognition for the world’s top netminder. Simón becomes the first Spanish goalkeeper to claim the award since its global restructuring. He finished as runner-up in 2024, joining a distinguished list of previous winners that includes Gianluigi Donnarumma, Emiliano Martínez, Thibaut Courtois, and Alisson Becker. The trophy was not awarded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 29-year-old from Murgia solidified his international standing this summer following Spain’s victory at the World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During the tournament, Simón established a new tournament record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, setting the mark at 650 minutes. His performances earned him the tournament’s best goalkeeper award, adding to a trophy cabinet that already includes triumphs at the 2024 European Championship and the 2023 UEFA Nations League, alongside an Olympic silver medal from 2021 and titles with Spain’s under-19 and under-21 squads. At club level, he won the Copa del Rey in 2024 and the Supercopa in 2021 with Athletic Club.
Accepting the award in London, Simón expressed gratitude to his family, childhood friends, and teammates from both his national side and club. He paid tribute to the late Koldo Asua and invoked the legacy of Athletic Club legend José Ángel “Txopo” Iribar. “Football, beyond titles, is about the legacy you leave when this ends: being good people and teammates,” Simón said during his acceptance speech.
Simón’s recognition reinforces Athletic Club’s international profile and deepens a historical lineage connecting Iribar, Lev Yashin, and the current squad. Simón, who wears black kits in homage to Iribar’s tradition—which itself was inspired by an admiration for the legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin—maintains a close relationship with the 83-year-old club icon at the Lezama training facilities. Yashin, the only goalkeeper to win the traditional Ballon d’Or in 1963, faced Iribar in the 1964 European Championship final won by Spain against the Soviet Union, presenting Iribar with one of his Dinamo Moscow jerseys after the match. Yashin later attended Iribar’s tribute match at San Mamés in 1971.
Under contract with Athletic Club through 2029 without a release clause, Simón reiterated his commitment to the Basque club amid past transfer interest from outside teams. Dismissing potential market speculation, the goalkeeper stated he has no intention of seeking a departure and will only leave if the club desires it.
