Emiliano Martinez Retains Yashin Trophy as World’s Best Goalkeeper in 2024

The 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony has once again highlighted the excellence in goalkeeping with the Yashin Trophy, an award named after the legendary Soviet Union goalkeeper Lev Yashin. This year, Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa and Argentina has retained the Yashin Trophy, solidifying his position as the world’s best goalkeeper for the second consecutive year.

Martinez, who also won the Yashin Trophy in 2023, has been recognized for his outstanding performances in both club and international football. He is part of a select group of goalkeepers who have received this prestigious honor since its inception in 2019.

The Yashin Trophy shortlist for 2024 included notable goalkeepers such as Mike Maignan of AC Milan, Diogo Costa of Porto, and Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns. Williams made history by becoming the first goalkeeper from an African club to be nominated for the award.

The lack of a female version of the Yashin Trophy continues to be a point of controversy, despite the introduction of other women’s awards such as the Ballon d’Or Feminin and the Women’s Coach of the Year. Critics argue that the omission of a female Yashin Trophy undermines the representation of female goalkeepers in the sport.

The Yashin Trophy is part of the broader Ballon d’Or ceremony, which also includes other prestigious awards like the Kopa Trophy and the Gerd Muller Trophy. These awards collectively celebrate the best in football across various categories).