Sundowns Star Nominated for Ballon d’Or - Bafana Captain Up for Yashin Trophy

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 06 Sep 2024

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John Eastwood 06 Sep 2024

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Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns nominated for Yashin Trophy at Ballon d'Or.
Previous Yashin Trophy winners include Alisson, Donnarumma, Courtois and Martinez.
Williams hopes the nomination will inspire future South African soccer players.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is nominated for an award at the Ballon d'Or (Getty Images).

South Africa Goalkeepers Makes List

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been nominated as one of the 10 world’s best goalkeepers at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards. The Bafana Bafana captain excelled for club and country, saving several penalties at the Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa Goalkeepers Makes List
Yashin Trophy Nominees and Past Winners
Williams Speaks on His Nomination

The Ballon d’Or awards are hosted by France Football, with the Yashin Trophy being handed out to the best Goalkeeper of the Year.

Yashin Trophy Nominees and Past Winners

This award recognises the best goalkeeper over the past season. The previous winners were Alisson (2019), Gianluigi Donnarumma (2021), Thibaut Courtois (2022) and Emi Martinez (2023).

The full list of nominees is as follows: Diogo Costa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gregor Kobel, Andriy Lunin, Mike Maignan, Giorgi Mamardachvili, Emi Martinez, Unai Simon, Yann Sommer, Ronwen Williams.

Williams Speaks on His Nomination

The Sundowns goalkeeper spoke to the press after the news about his Ballon d’Or nomination broke.

The South Africa national team captain, who is currently injured, said: “I am speechless, I’ve got no words to describe how I’m feeling at the moment.

“I’m still in shock. It’s like it hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m just proud, excited and happy, not just for myself, but more for South Africa as a whole.

“I hope this will inspire the next generation, inspire the current players to just believe and chase their dream. To believe that us as South Africans we can achieve the unthinkable.”

He elaborated by saying: “I can’t express how I’m really feeling. It’s like my body has left me. I’ve never had a feeling like this before, but I’m just proud of myself.

“Obviously, so many people that I can thank, so many coaches, and teammates, who helped me throughout the journey. This didn’t start now, it started years and years ago. Obviously, thanks to my parents also.”