The Ballon d’Or will be handed to the best footballer in the world tonight but there is also an award specifically for goalkeepers.
And that award is the Yashin Trophy which was first given out in 2019 and is named after iconic Russian ‘keeper Lev Yashin.
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Courtois won the Yashin Trophy at last year’s ceremony
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Martinez is the favourite this year after winning the World Cup and Golden Glove
It’s a very rare occasion that a goalkeeper wins the Ballon d’Or, with Yashin the only ever player to do so, meaning this award is seen as their equivalent.
The world’s best No.1s are in contention tonight and last year’s winner Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois is on the shortlist once again.
There is plenty of Premier League representation in the shortlist with four nominated goalkeepers getting a shot at the award.
Treble-winning shot-stopper Ederson is on the shortlist and is one of the favourites to win the award while Aaron Ramsdale is credited for his brilliant season for Arsenal.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez is also one of the favourites after he won the World Cup with Argentina, putting in some incredible performances and winning the Golden Glove in Qatar.
World Cup success is very highly considered when it comes to voting for the winner of the Ballon d’Or, meaning Martinez is in with a great chance if it’s the same for this trophy.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is also on the shortlist, not for his performances at Old Trafford but rather for his heroics for Inter Milan last season.
Alisson won the first-ever Yashin Trophy but the Liverpool goalkeeper has not made the shortlist this time around.
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Ederson won the treble with Man City and is in with a big chance
Below is the full shortlist for the 2023 award…
Yashin Trophy shortlist
- Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal
- Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
- Mike Maignan – AC Milan
- Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Barcelona
- Ederson – Manchester City
- Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
- Andre Onana – Manchester United
- Aaron Ramsdale – Arsenal
- Dominik Livakovic – Fenerbahce
- Brice Samba – Lens
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The Yashin Trophy, named after legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, will be awarded tonight alongside the Ballon d’Or. This prestigious award recognizes the best goalkeeper in the world and was first introduced in 2019.
While it is rare for a goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or, Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have achieved this feat. Therefore, the Yashin Trophy holds great significance for goalkeepers worldwide.
Last year’s winner, Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid, is once again on the shortlist for the Yashin Trophy. However, he faces tough competition from other top goalkeepers vying for the award.
The Premier League is well-represented in the shortlist, with four nominated goalkeepers. Ederson, who played a crucial role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, is considered one of the favorites to win the award. Aaron Ramsdale, who had an outstanding season for Arsenal, is also recognized for his performances.
Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa is another strong contender after his impressive displays during Argentina’s World Cup triumph, where he also won the Golden Glove award. The World Cup success often plays a significant role in the voting process for the Yashin Trophy, giving Martinez a great chance to claim the honor.
Andre Onana, currently with Manchester United but recognized for his performances with Inter Milan last season, completes the Premier League representation in the shortlist.