Unai Simon and Cata Coll Win 2026 Yashin Trophies
The keepers received the honors at the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony held at the London Palladium Theatre.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Soccer
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France Football awarded the 2026 Yashin Trophy to goalkeeper Unai Simon and goalkeeper Cata Coll. The prestigious honors were presented during the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony in London.
Why it matters
The Yashin Trophy recognizes the best-performing goalkeepers globally for their contributions over the season. These selections highlight the defensive excellence required to succeed at the highest levels of professional club and international soccer.
The 2026 Yashin Trophy selection process included 10 nominees for the men's award and 5 candidates for the women's award. Winners were selected from these pools for their performance over the most recent season.
The players
Unai Simon
He is a professional goalkeeper currently playing for the Spanish club Athletic Bilbao.
Cata Coll
She is an elite goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish powerhouse club Barcelona.
France Football
This French weekly magazine is responsible for presenting the annual Ballon d'Or and Yashin Trophy awards.
The details
Unai Simon, who competes for Athletic Bilbao, earned his trophy following his role with the Spanish team that won the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Cata Coll, a Barcelona player, secured her award after a trophy-laden season winning Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: The Yashin Trophy winners received their awards at the London Palladium Theatre.
Season Trajectory
These awards cement the status of both Simon and Coll as the premier defensive anchors in world soccer following their respective domestic and international triumphs. Their recognition at the Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony sets the standard for goalkeeping excellence heading into the next competitive cycle.
The awards confirm the current dominance of Spanish soccer at both the club and international level, as reflected by the trophy hauls of Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona. These recognitions serve as definitive metrics for player valuation and future selection for elite competitive rosters.
The takeaway
Goalkeepers are increasingly recognized for their vital contributions to team success in high-stakes matches. Implementing consistent defensive training and tracking individual save-percentage metrics can provide fans with a better understanding of why these specific players receive such top-level honors.
Further reading
For additional context on top-tier global competitions, visit the Soccer section.
Live Poll
Do you agree with the recent selection of winners for the 2026 Yashin Trophy?
