Unai Simón explains his emotional tribute to Koldo Asua after winning the Yashin Trophy

Unai Simón was honored with the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper on the planet at the ceremony held at the London Palladium, and his speech produced one of the most heartfelt moments of the night. The Athletic Club shot-stopper dedicated part of his words to Koldo Asua, who died in 2021 and played a major role in the development of many players who went on to wear the red-and-white shirt. Days after the event, the Spain international explained on the club's official channels why he decided to mention him.

• Unai Simón received the Yashin Trophy in London as the world's best goalkeeper.
• During his speech he made an emotional tribute to Koldo Asua, who died in 2021 and shaped many Athletic players.
• The Murgia native said Asua was the person who made him understand Athletic differently.
• He also mentioned Lekue, De Marcos, Guruzeta and club legend Iribar.

The role of Koldo Asua in Athletic Club's academy

Koldo Asua left a deep mark on Lezama before his death in 2021. His work within the club's development structure was decisive in helping several generations of footballers understand what it means to represent Athletic beyond results. For Unai Simón, that influence was key to connecting with the club's identity, and he chose to express it in front of an international audience.

We all have a person with whom we started to love Athletic. Koldo was that person who made me understand Athletic in a different way from how I had conceived it.

Unai Simón's tribute to his friends in the dressing room

During his speech in London, the goalkeeper also mentioned three teammates with whom he shares a close bond. Iñigo Lekue, who has already retired, Óscar de Marcos, now working as a link between the coaching staff and the dressing room, and Gorka Guruzeta are three of his biggest supports within the squad. The reference to Guruzeta carried special meaning given the difficult moment he is going through.

The forward from Donostia suffered a serious injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, a significant setback for the group. Simón spoke about him with admiration and confidence in his recovery: "With Guru I have had many experiences outside football. He is now going through an injury that none of us would want or wish on anyone, but he is a very strong guy with a very tough mentality." He also revealed that the striker sent a message to the group offering his full support from a distance.

The hug with Iribar at Lezama after the award

Simón's speech also included a reference to José Ángel Iribar, the great legend of Athletic's goalkeeping history. The goalkeeper said he was eager to tell him how he had experienced the award and, above all, to listen to his opinion. "It is always good to listen to Ángel," he said. The following day he was able to fulfill that wish: El Txopo greeted him with a hug at Lezama.

The Yashin Trophy and Athletic Club's place at the top level

The award is named after the legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin and is presented to the best goalkeeper of the season at the Ballon d'Or gala. The recognition of Unai Simón reinforces the trajectory of a player developed in Athletic's academy who has already won the European Championship and the Nations League with Spain, while remaining a reference at his club.

The victory in London places him among the most prominent goalkeepers in international football and strengthens the Basque club's link to a tradition of shot-stoppers that has Iribar as its greatest historical icon.

Frequently asked questions about Unai Simón's Yashin Trophy