The nominees for the 2024 Yashin Trophy, which recognizes the best goalkeeper of the year, have been revealed ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The award was won in 2023 by Aston Villa and Argentine goalkeeper Emi MartÃnez, largely thanks to her exploits for her national team.
Martinez was one of the heroes of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar at the end of 2022, making a legendary save to deny Randal Kolo Muani what looked like a certain goal in the final of the competition.
The 32-year-old has also received a nomination for the 2024 award, having once again been a key component of a argentine team that was successful in an international competition, this time the 2024 Copa America.
The goalkeeper is, however, the only South American candidate for the Yashin Trophy, with Alisson Becker – widely regarded as the best shot-stopper in the world – not on the list.
Eight of the nominees come from European nations, with Portugal’s Diogo Costa, Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel and Yann Sommer, Ukraine’s Andriy Lunin, France’s Mike Maignan, Georgia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili and Spain’s Unai Simon.
The latter of the list of Europeans is considered one of the big favorites for the prize, having helped Spain to a famous Euro 2024 victory during the summer in Germany.
The only African candidate is Ronwen Williams, who hit the headlines in February 2024 thanks to his wonderful exploits at the CAN. The South African international saved four penalties in a big win against Cape Verde to help his nation to their first semi-final appearance in almost 25 years.
The Yashin Trophy will be awarded to the best goalkeeper on October 28 at an awards ceremony at the Theater du Chatelet in Paris, France.
