Unai Simón wins Yashin Trophy after excellent World Cup

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón wins the Yashin Trophy for world's best keeper after starring in Spain's World Cup triumph.

Unai Simón has won the Yashin Trophy, awarded annually to the world's best goalkeeper, at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony. The 29-year-old Athletic Bilbao keeper was instrumental in Spain's World Cup victory in the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer, with the team dominating throughout the tournament before winning their second world title in a tense final.

Simón succeeds Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won the award last year. The Yashin Trophy was established in 2018 to honour goalkeepers separately, 55 years after Lev Yashin last won the Ballon d'Or in 1963. Manuel Neuer was the last goalkeeper to reach the podium in 2014, finishing third. This year, no goalkeeper was nominated for the main Ballon d'Or award.

Simón has earned 69 caps for Spain and has played for Athletic Bilbao since 2018. In the women's category, Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll won the Yashin Trophy.