Vozinha’s fairytale run earns him a Ballon d’Or nomination

Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Ten goalkeepers make up this year’s men’s shortlist for Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with one name standing out from the rest.

Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who became a global sensation at this year’s World Cup, earns his nomination after a run that included a stunning 0-0 draw with Spain and a heroic display in a 3-2 extra-time defeat to eventual finalists Argentina.

Unai Simón completes a strong Spanish presence on the list after starting every match of Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign, ahead of Arsenal’s David Raya in the national pecking order.

Raya himself is recognised for winning a third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove, joining an elite group of goalkeepers to have managed that feat, while helping Arsenal to their Premier League title and the Champions League final.

MORE: Arsenal, Bayern, PSG named in Ballon d’Or Club of the Year shortlist

Matvey Safonov is nominated after starting PSG’s Champions League final win over Arsenal, proving decisive in the penalty shootout to help the club retain the trophy, on top of a Ligue 1 title.

Thibaut Courtois picks up a fifth career nomination and is looking to add to the award he won in 2022, having kept 17 clean sheets in 45 appearances for Real Madrid last season.

Yassine Bounou earns a fourth nomination on the back of an outstanding World Cup, in which he saved four penalties in shootouts, the most by any goalkeeper at a single tournament since 1966, alongside AFCON glory with Morocco and the King’s Cup with Al-Hilal.

Gregor Kobel is nominated for the second time, after 15 clean sheets in the Bundesliga alone for Borussia Dortmund and conceding just three goals in five World Cup matches before Switzerland’s semi-final exit to Argentina.

Joan García picks up his first nomination after 15 clean sheets underpinned Barcelona’s La Liga title, while Emiliano Martínez is recognised for helping Aston Villa to a fourth-placed Premier League finish and their first major trophy in three decades with Europa League glory.

Rounding out the list is Édouard Mendy, who captained Al-Ahli to a second consecutive AFC Champions League Elite title, becoming the first goalkeeper in history to win both the UEFA and AFC Champions League, while also claiming the Saudi Pro League Golden Glove.

ALSO: Arteta, Romeu among Ballon d’Or Coach of the Year nominees

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Holder Hannah Hampton headlines a five-strong shortlist as she bids to retain the award she won in 2025, having helped Chelsea to another WSL title and Champions League run alongside England’s Euro 2025 triumph.

Barcelona’s Cata Coll is recognised for her part in a quadruple-winning season in which the club conceded just nine league goals all season.

Manchester City’s Ayaka Yamashita is nominated after a WSL and Women’s FA Cup double, with City’s defence conceding only 19 goals in 22 league games, on top of an AFC Asian Cup win and SheBelieves Cup triumph with Japan.

ALSO: How Africa is represented in this year’s UEFA Champions League

Kansas City Current’s Lorena backed up her 2025 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award with another record-breaking campaign, setting a new league mark of 14 clean sheets in 24 games as her side won the NWSL Shield.

Gotham FC’s Ann-Katrin Berger completes the list, having helped her club to the NWSL title last season and kept them at the top of the standings again this time round.

Both winners will be announced alongside the rest of the Ballon d’Or honours in London on 26 October.

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Picture: X /@ballondor

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