The nominees for the 2024 Yashin Trophy, which recognises 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 Argetina goalkeeper Emi Martinez, largely thanks to his exploits for his national team.
Martinez was one of the heroes of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar at the tail-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 received a nomination for the 2024 award too, having once again been a key component of an Argentine side which was successful in an international competition – this time the 2024 Copa America.
The goalkeeper is, however, the only South American nominee for the Yashin Trophy, with Alisson Becker – widely considered to be the best shot-stopper in the world – not being named on the shortlist.
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 all getting the nod.
The latter of the list of Europeans is considered to be one of the heavy favourites for the award, having helped Spain to a famous Euro 2024 victory during the summer in Germany.
The sole African nominee is Ronwen Williams, who hit the headlines in February 2024 thanks to his stunning exploits at AFCON. The South African international saved four penalties in a shoutout win over Cape Verde to help his nation to their first semi-final appearance in nearly 25 years.
The Yashin Trophy will be awarded to the best goalkeeper on 28 October at an award ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
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