Unai Simón explains his tribute to the late Koldo Asua

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Yashin Trophy for world's best keeper and paid emotional tribute to Koldo Asua, the late coach who shaped his understanding of the club.

Unai Simón won the Yashin Trophy as the world's best goalkeeper and delivered an emotional speech at the London Palladium ceremony. He paid special tribute to Koldo Asua, who died in 2021 and was instrumental in developing many of Athletic Bilbao's players. Simón explained his mention of Asua to the club media: "We all have a person with whom we start to love Athletic. Koldo was that person who made me understand Athletic in a different way to how I conceived it."

Simón also remembered teammates and friends including Lekue, De Marcos, and Guruzeta, who is currently sidelined with a serious injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Simón praised Guruzeta's mental strength, noting he had sent a message saying he would support the team despite his setback. The goalkeeper also expressed his desire to speak with Ángel Iribar, Athletic's legendary keeper, and said they connected at Lezama the day after the ceremony.