Arsenal’s David Raya is among the top contenders to be crowned men’s goalkeeper of the year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Raya has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe over the past 18 months and finished seventh in the voting for this prize last year, as Gianluigi Donnarumma took home the award.

Hoping for a big improvement, potentially cracking the top three this year, the Arsenal star’s case is backed up by keeping 19 clean sheets in the Premier League last term and being named in the Champions League team of the season, having kept nine clean sheets in 14 appearances.

However, the favourite for the award is Raya’s international team-mate Joan Garcia after he enjoyed an outstanding debut season at Barcelona, recording the best save percentage across Europe with 77.9% and winning a LaLiga title.

It could be a Spain top three as Unai Simon is also in the running as he started ahead of both Raya and Garcia at the 2026 World Cup, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament and setting a new clean sheet record as La Roja were crowned kings of the world for a second time.

The big three: Joan Garcia, Unai Simon and David Raya

AFP/Getty

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Cata Coll is the front-runner to pick up the women’s goalkeeper of the year award after keeping 23 clean sheets and conceding just nine goals during a dominant campaign for the Catalan side.

Chelsea and England stopper Hannah Hampton was the inaugural winner of the award last year, meaning the best keeper in the Women’s Super League is chasing successive Yashin Trophy awards.