Unai Simón has received the Zamora Trophy

Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón can now add his well-deserved 2023/24 Zamora Trophy to his ever-growing trophy cabinet.

Simón received the award at a ceremony held at the Royal Spanish Football Federation's headquarters. Unai was presented with the trophy by his hero, Jose Angel Iribar, who came all the way from Valladolid for the occasion.

The event will be a great morale boost for the Athletic no.1, who is in the final stretch of his recovery from a hand injury which prevented him from playing yet this season.

The 2023/24 campaign was an unforgettable one for Unai, whose performances between the sticks helped Athletic finish fifth in LaLiga. He played a crucial role supporting Julen Agirrezabala as we lifted our long-awaited 25th Copa del Rey, while he was won of the stars of Euro 2024, playing every match for eventual winners Spain. All of which led to him finishing second, behind Emi Martinez, in the 2024 Yashin Trophy.

"Regarding what Angel says about me being better, football evolves and of course players get better. But often what really matters, what is the essence of football, is the mark you leave, the way you behaved and what you meant for the club you played for. In that sense, he is unreachable," Simón said about 'El Txopo'.

"Everything he has done for Athletic and for football is unmatched and that's why I will always say that he is the greatest."

The Athletic shotstopper admitted it is "an honour" to win the award, reiterating that for him it is the fruit of a great team effort rather than an individual accolade.

He continued: "I'm the person receiving the award, but I want to congratulate the whole team. Throughout all 38 matches, and especially in the last one, you could see how much keeping clean sheets meant to the team. I'm grateful to be surrounded by the very best at Athletic.

"Although it might not seem it, football careers go by quickly. When I was a kid I couldn't have imagined being able to experience what I'm experiencing now. This is all a dream and it will always be a dream as long as I'm playing in goal at San Mames.

"I've come up through Athletic's youth teams hearing stories about Txopo. I've grown up with him at my side and winning this trophy, after a 54-year wait, is a massive honour for me. It means a lot."

The other winners at the MARCA event were Spain coach and former Lion Luis de la Fuente, former Girona striker Artem Dovbyk and their current coach Michel, Alvaro Morata and Borja Mayoral, Isco and Jude Bellingham.