Terzic Backs Unai Simón for the 2025 Yashin Trophy
Unai Simón's candidacy for the Yashin Trophy, the award that crowns the world's best goalkeeper, has gained a powerful ally. Edin Terzic, his coach, argued on Friday that the Athletic Club shot-stopper most deserves the prize. The Spain international is competing against nine other elite goalkeepers.
Byvarela5 min read
The race for the 2025 Yashin Trophy is entering its decisive phase and Unai Simón has an exceptional ally: his own manager. Edin Terzic, head coach of Athletic Club, stated yesterday that the Spanish international goalkeeper has built the strongest case to win the award given to the best goalkeeper in the world. Simón's nomination among the ten finalists was made official this week.
- Unai Simón is one of the ten official candidates for the Yashin Trophy, regarded as the Ballon d'Or for goalkeepers.
- Edin Terzic said his player deserves the prize thanks to his displays for Athletic Club and the Spanish national team.
- The goalkeeper faces David Raya, Joan García, Emiliano Martínez, Thibaut Courtois, Vozinha, Matvey Safonov, Bono, Édouard Mendy and Gregor Kobel.
- Simón is a World Cup winner with Spain, a credential he shares with two other nominees.
Unai Simón, the Goalkeeper Inspiring Athletic Club in the Yashin Trophy Race
Unai Simón's place on the ten-man shortlist for the Yashin Trophy has made waves inside the Bilbao dressing room. The shot-stopper, developed at Lezama and established as a key figure for Athletic, returns to the global elite of his position. His consistency between the posts and his role in Spain's recent international success have earned him a spot among the contenders for an award France Football has presented since 2019.
Edin Terzic's Public Backing for His Goalkeeper
Edin Terzic did not hesitate when asked about the recognition for his goalkeeper. The German-Croatian coach celebrated the nomination as a collective achievement and highlighted what Simón brings to the team and to Spanish football.
Yes, Unai deserves the award. Of course he deserves the nomination. I am very happy with him and for us it is a great honour as a team and as a club that he is not only a world champion but also nominated for the Golden Glove. He deserves it for all the performances he has shown with us and with the national team. The other goalkeepers are great, but I don't know if there is anyone who deserves to win it more than him.
The manager's words reinforce Simón's status within Athletic and underline the connection between the dressing room and a coach who arrived to give new impetus to the Bilbao project.
The Ten Goalkeepers Competing for the Yashin Trophy
This year's edition brings together goalkeepers of the highest international standing. Alongside Unai Simón are David Raya, his Spain teammate and current Arsenal goalkeeper, as well as Joan García, also a World Cup winner like the Athletic man. The list continues with Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez, winner of the award in previous editions and a benchmark for Argentina and Aston Villa; Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper for Real Madrid and Belgium; and Matvey Safonov, the Russian shot-stopper at PSG.
Completing the field are Vozinha, the Cape Verdean goalkeeper formerly of Chaves and currently at Colo-Colo; Yassine Bounou, better known as Bono, goalkeeper for Al-Hilal and Morocco; Édouard Mendy, of Al-Ahli and the Senegalese national team; and Gregor Kobel, who plays for Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland.
What Is at Stake: The Yashin Trophy, the Ballon d'Or for Goalkeepers
The Yashin Trophy was created in 2019 as a specific recognition for goalkeepers, a position historically overlooked in the Ballon d'Or. The award bears the name of Lev Yashin, the Soviet 'Black Spider' and the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or in history. Winning it means joining an exclusive club that already includes Alisson Becker, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martínez.
For Unai Simón, lifting this trophy would be the definitive boost to a career that already includes a European Championship and a World Cup with Spain, plus the Supercopa and the Copa del Rey won with Athletic Club.
The World Cup as the Great Credential for Simón, Raya and Joan García
One of the most striking facts about this Yashin Trophy edition is the presence of three Spanish World Cup-winning goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya and Joan García. It is unusual for a single national team to occupy three of the ten spots in an individual award, which speaks volumes about the excellent moment Spanish goalkeeping is enjoying.
Simón featured in the starting line-up that lifted the World Cup, while Raya and García completed a generation of goalkeepers that has raised the competitive level of the position in Spain. That international context strengthens the Athletic keeper's case against rivals of the calibre of Courtois or Dibu Martínez.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Yashin Trophy and Unai Simón
Frequently asked questions
What is the Yashin Trophy?
It is the award that France Football gives to the best goalkeeper of the year. It has been presented since 2019 and is regarded as the Ballon d'Or for goalkeepers. It is named after Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d'Or.
How many Spanish goalkeepers are nominated for the 2025 Yashin Trophy?
Three: Unai Simón of Athletic Club, David Raya of Arsenal and Joan García of Barcelona. All three share the credential of being World Cup winners with Spain, which is rare for an individual award.
Who is Unai Simón's biggest rival for the Yashin Trophy?
The competition is very strong. Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez has already won the prize and Thibaut Courtois is another former winner, both with proven track records. Raya and Bono also arrive backed by outstanding seasons at their clubs.