Unai Simon named world’s best goalkeeper at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Unai Simon, the Athletic Bilbao and Spain goalkeeper, has been named the best goalkeeper in the world at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Simon was chosen ahead of nine other prominent goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou of Morocco and Al Hilal, Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, Spain’s Joan Garcia of Barcelona, Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel of Dortmund, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez of Chelsea, Senegal’s Edouard Mendy of Al Ahli, Spain’s David Raya of Arsenal, Russia’s Matvey Safonov of Paris Saint-Germain and Vozinha of Cape Verde and Colo-Colo.

His role in Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph was the main factor behind the award. Simon was the first-choice goalkeeper for La Roja throughout the tournament as they lifted the trophy.

He also collected the Golden Glove after conceding only one goal in eight matches.

The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper’s achievements extended beyond winning the World Cup. He also set the longest clean-sheet sequence in the competition’s history, going 650 consecutive minutes without conceding.

That run began with his final two appearances at the 2022 World Cup and continued through Spain’s first six and a half matches at the 2026 tournament.