Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was awarded the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony following his vital role in Spain’s FIFA World Cup victory.
Representing Athletic Club, Simon also received the World Cup Golden Glove after delivering a series of outstanding performances throughout the tournament.
He set a new record by keeping a clean sheet for 649 consecutive minutes, surpassing Walter Zenga’s 517-minute record from 1990. Simon’s composure, positioning and skill in handling the ball under pressure were key factors in Spain’s progression to the final, where they defeated Argentina 1-0 to claim the trophy.
Simon’s consistent goalkeeping was widely recognised as instrumental to Spain’s success at the World Cup.
At the same event, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente was named Best Men’s Coach in recognition of his leadership in securing the World Cup title. This award added to his previous achievements with Spain, including victories in the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024.
In addition, Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal received the Young Talent of the Year award, known as the Kopa Trophy, for a record third consecutive time. Having won in 2024 and 2025, Yamal continued to reinforce his status as a leading young player in world football with this third win.
The 19-year-old featured prominently in Barcelona’s 2025-26 season, contributing to their La Liga and Spanish Super Cup victories. In 45 appearances, he scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists, achievements that also earned him the Best Player award in La Liga for the season.