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

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

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.

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.”