The Yashin Trophy is an annual football award for the world's best male goalkeeper. The voting is carried out by the same voters as the men's Ballon d'Or, which include journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. Each country provides a list of three players.

The award is named after former Soviet Union goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who was the first and only goalkeeper to win a Ballon d'Or award (1963). On this page, you'll find the complete list of all the Yashin award winners.

goalkeeper statue

goalkeeper statue (not the Yashin Trophy)

The table below lists all the winners of the Yashin award since the trophy's inception in 2019. The award is presented along side the Ballon d'Or for the best male football player of the year, during the same ceremony.

List of Yashin Trophy winners

Year Player Nationality Club
2025 Gianluigi Donnarumma Italy Manchester City
2024 Emiliano Martínez Argentina Aston Villa
2023 Emiliano Martinez Argentina Aston Villa
2022 Thibaut Courtois Belgium Real Madrid
2021 Gianluigi Donnarumma Italy Paris Saint-Germain
2020 not awarded
2019 Alisson Brazil Liverpool
Note: The clubs shown for each goalkeeper in the table represent the team they were playing for at the time they won the Yashin Award

Notable Winners and Achievements

Two-Time Winner

Gianluigi Donnarumma is now the second goalkeeper to win the Yashin Trophy twice, having claimed the award in 2021 and 2025.

First Winner

Alisson of Liverpool and Brazil was the inaugural recipient of the Yashin Trophy in 2019, following his Champions League triumph.

The Inspiration

Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d'Or, achieving this feat in 1963 while playing for Dynamo Moscow.

About the Award Selection Process

The Yashin Trophy follows a similar voting process to the Ballon d'Or, with key differences tailored to evaluating goalkeeping excellence. Journalists from FIFA's top 100 ranked nations participate in the voting, but instead of selecting five players as they do for the Ballon d'Or, they provide a list of their top three goalkeepers.

Historical Context and Significance

The creation of the Yashin Trophy in 2019 addressed a long-standing gap in football's individual awards. While outfield players compete for the Ballon d'Or, goalkeepers rarely received the recognition their crucial role deserved.

Since Lev Yashin's historic Ballon d'Or win in 1963, no goalkeeper has won the main award, highlighting the need for a dedicated goalkeeper honor.

The trophy celebrates the unique skills and contributions of goalkeepers, recognizing that their impact on matches often goes beyond statistics. A single save can change the course of a tournament, and the mental fortitude required for the position sets goalkeepers apart from their outfield teammates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has won the most Yashin Trophy awards?

Gianluigi Donnarumma and Emiliano Martínez have both won the trophy twice, with the Donnarumma being the most recent winner. 

Why is it called the Yashin Trophy?

The trophy is named after legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who in 1963 became the only goalkeeper in history to win the Ballon d'Or award. His revolutionary style of play transformed the goalkeeper position.

When was the Yashin Trophy first awarded?

The Yashin Trophy was first awarded in 2019 to Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson. The award was not presented in 2020 due to the pandemic, but has been given annually since 2021.

How is the Yashin Trophy winner decided?

The winner is chosen by the same panel of journalists who vote for the Ballon d'Or - representatives from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries. Each voter submits their top three goalkeeper choices, with points awarded based on ranking.

Can goalkeepers still win the main Ballon d'Or?

Yes, goalkeepers remain eligible for the Ballon d'Or, though none have won since Lev Yashin in 1963. The Yashin Trophy provides dedicated recognition for goalkeepers alongside the main award.