According to a report by The Guardian on Monday, October 26, 2026, Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon has been crowned the Best Men's Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, following an exceptional period of performances for both his club and the Spanish national team.

The Spanish international received the prestigious Yashin Trophy during the awards ceremony in London, adding another significant individual achievement to his growing collection of honours. His victory represents a remarkable moment for the 29-year-old goalkeeper, who has established himself among the finest shot-stoppers in world football.

Simon's success comes just months after his outstanding performances helped Spain secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup title. The Athletic Club goalkeeper played an important role throughout the tournament, demonstrating impressive composure, excellent positioning and remarkable consistency between the posts.

During the competition, Simon recorded seven clean sheets in eight appearances, conceding only one goal as Spain emerged victorious. His exceptional displays earned him the Golden Glove award, recognising him as the tournament's best goalkeeper.

One of his most impressive achievements was maintaining a lengthy unbeaten run in goal, setting a new World Cup record of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding. His defensive contributions proved crucial to Spain's success, particularly during the knockout stages.

The goalkeeper's remarkable performances at international level strengthened his reputation and made him one of the leading candidates for the 2026 Yashin Trophy.

At club level, Simon has remained an important figure for Athletic Club, where his consistency, leadership and shot-stopping abilities have earned him widespread recognition.

His latest achievement is particularly significant considering the quality of opposition he faced for the award. Other nominated goalkeepers included Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, Arsenal's David Raya, Barcelona's Joan Garcia, Argentina's Emiliano Martinez and Paris Saint-Germain's Matvey Safonov.

Despite the strong competition, Simon's extraordinary World Cup campaign helped distinguish him from several of Europe's most established goalkeepers.

Interestingly, the Spanish international previously finished second in the Yashin Trophy voting in 2024, losing out to Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Two years later, he has finally secured the prestigious individual honour.

The achievement also highlights Spain's continued success on the international stage, with Simon playing a major role in the country's recent triumphs, including the 2023 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.

Winning both the World Cup Golden Glove and the Ballon d'Or Best Goalkeeper award in the same year represents an extraordinary accomplishment for the Athletic Club star.

For Simon, the recognition provides further evidence of his development into one of football's most reliable goalkeepers and marks another memorable chapter in his professional career.