Unai Simón: Setting his sights on the world’s top goalkeeper spot

Unai Simón could today be recognised as the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or Gala taking place in London (9.00 pm). The Athletic goalkeeper is nominated alongside nine other contenders for the Lev Yashin Trophy, an award he came close to winning two years ago, although it was ultimately awarded to the Argentine 'Dibu' Martínez.

Born in Vitoria/Gasteiz on 11 June 1997, Unai’s story is one of growth, patience, hard work and loyalty to the red and white colours. He joined Lezama in the 2011/12 season, whilst still a youth player. On 20 August 2018, he made his first-team debut and won the Super Cup in 2020 after defeating FC Barcelona in the final; he was also part of the squad that won the Copa del Rey in 2024, the year in which he renewed his contract without a release clause – a statement of confidence in the Rojiblancos’ project and in his own career. 

The 2023/24 season was particularly significant for Simón. He won the LaLiga Zamora Trophy with a save percentage of 0.92 goals per game. With the Spanish national team, he won the 2023 Nations League, the 2024 European Championship and, this year, the World Cup, playing a key role in Luis de la Fuente’s side on all three occasions. Simón also received the Golden Glove award for the tournament’s best goalkeeper. 

 

A unique lineage of goalkeepers

His nomination for the Lev Yashin Trophy is the perfect illustration of the unique approach to competing at the highest level of football that Athletic Club embodies. The prospect of Simón winning this award is a source of immense pride for the Athletic family. Moreover, he is a goalkeeper who, through his personality and character, perfectly embodies the values that Athletic, through its philosophy, showcases to the world. Unai Simón is the latest link in a lineage of goalkeepers which, beginning with Ibarreche and continuing through Blasco, Lezama, Carmelo, Iribar, Zubizarreta and many other outstanding red-and-white goalkeepers, is a unique lineage, just as Athletic Club itself is.

Unique in the Team, Unique in the World  

Good luck, Unai! We’re behind you!