The name of Lev Yashin is still present on the football planet. Not systematically, but it appears in every historical gathering. Bars have heard his name during the debate over who is the best goalie in history. Not many people have seen him play, but everyone puts him on the shortlist. His record: he is the only goalkeeper to have won a Golden Ball– gives an advantage in the controversy and gives name to the prize awarded since 2019 to the best goalkeeper of the year.
Alisson (2019), Donnarumma (2021) and Courtois (2022) gave way to a Dibu Martínez who conquered it in 2023 and revalidated it in 2024. It was his year again, or at least, for the jury, it was the one who gathered more arguments. Member of the Premier League team of the season, winner of the Copa América Golden Glove which he won with Argentina and in which he was also in the ideal XI.
The Argentinian beats Unai Simón, Donnarumma, Lunin and Maignan, also finalists for the award, and becomes the first goalkeeper to repeat this award. “Thank you everyone. I’m grateful to be here, to Aston Villa, to Lautaro for scoring the goal in the final. I remember my childhood and I want to continue growing. The individual always comes after the collective,” says the Argentinian with the prize already in his hands.
Unai Simón, second, and Lunin, third, complete the podium. This time, he received it without the boos that predominated last season, when the French public criticized him for his actions after Argentina’s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final.
