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Only one goalkeeper has ever won the Ballon d’Or: Lev Yashin, in 1963. So, in a bid to ensure more shot-stoppers were recognised at their annual ceremonies in Paris, France Football introduced the Yashin Trophy in 2019 to recognise the best goalkeeper from the previous season.
Voted for by past Ballon d’Or winners, previous recipients of the award include Alisson Becker, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martinez, and it is sure to be hotly-contested again in 2024.
We will have to wait until the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday, October 28 to find out the winner, but for now, here is the shortlist of nominees:
Diogo Costa (FC Porto)
The 24-year-old ended the Liga Portugal season with 14 clean sheets in 34 matches – the highest in the division. The 6ft 1in stopper also made the Portugal number one jersey his own and helped his country reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 this summer.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
The 2021 Yashin Trophy winner had a 82 per cent save percentage in Ligue 1 last season and kept 11 clean sheets in 25 games in the French top-flight. In 49 matches for both club and country in 2023/24, the Italian let in just 43 goals.
Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)
The 26-year-old played a vital role in helping Borussia Dortmund reach this year’s Champions League final, with the 6ft 5in stopper keeping six clean sheets in 12 matches. The Swiss international was later named in the Team of the Season in that illustrious competition.
Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)
The Ukraine international filled in superbly for the injured Thibaut Courtois and Kepa Arrizabalaga, particularly in a Champions League knockout stage win over RB Leipzig where he equalled the record for most saves in a single match (nine). He also kept 10 clean sheets in 21 La Liga games for Los Blancos last season.
Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
The Frenchman kept 20 clean sheets for both club and country last season. Plus, he assisted Christian Pulisic’s goal against Frosinone in Serie A, making him the only keeper in Europe’s top five leagues to record an assist in each of the last three seasons.
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia)
The towering 23-year-old was one of Euro 2024’s best keepers as he helped Georgia create history and reach the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in their debut tilt in the competition. The Liverpool-bound stopper made 20 saves in the group stages – seven more than any other keeper at the Euros.
Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
The 32-year-old helped Argentina to more international glory at this year’s Copa America and was named the tournament’s Golden Glove winner for the second time. He also played a huge role in securing Aston Villa’s qualification into the Championship League for the first time in 41 years.
Unai Simon (Athletic Club)
The Spain international has enjoyed a trophy-laden 2024 after helping his club end their 40-year trophy drought by claiming the Copa del Rey title and he was in between the sticks for his country’s Euro 2024 triumph. The 27-year-old also kept 17 clean sheets in 36 games for Athletic last season.
Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
The veteran played a key role in Inter Milan’s Serie A triumph with 19 clean sheets in 34 games and boasted a save percentage of 81. The 35-year-old also played a starring role in Switzerland’s run to the quarter-finals of the Euros.
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The South Africa international helped Mamelodi Sundowns win the inaugural edition of the African Football League and the South African Premier Division over the past season. Plus, he kept 15 clean sheets in 22 league games and had a save percentage of 84.
