The Atlas Lions international goalkeeper and Saudi club Al-Hilal player ranks eighth in the 2026 Yachine Trophy standings. The individual award for the best goalkeeper of the season was presented to Spain’s Unai Simón.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony has delivered its verdict for the ranking of the world’s best goalkeepers. Moroccan international Yassine Bounou secured eighth place for the prestigious Yachine Trophy, an international distinction rewarding goalkeepers’ individual performances throughout the sporting season. Now playing for Al-Hilal following a notable stint in Spain, the Moroccan national team’s last line of defence confirms his consistency at the highest global level. This marks another remarkable presence in the international top ten for the player who previously reached third place on the podium in 2023 in the wake of the Atlas Lions’ historic run at the World Cup in Qatar.
Unai Simón crowned best goalkeeper of the season
The ultimate title of the 2026 Yachine Trophy was awarded to Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón, rewarding his decisive performances for Athletic Club and the Spain national team. This edition’s podium is completed by goalkeeper David Raya, following a remarkable season in Arsenal colours in the English Premier League, alongside Belgian Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid. The Moroccan goalkeeper’s inclusion among the elite alongside these major figures of international football testifies to the continued influence of national football on the world stage.
A regular presence at the pinnacle of international football
This eighth-place finish adds to the exceptional record of the Moroccan goalkeeper, who has established himself over the years as one of the most reliable specialists of his generation. A former recipient of the Zamora Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the Spanish La Liga with Sevilla FC in 2022, Yassine Bounou finishes ahead of other world-class references in the position this year, such as Senegal’s Édouard Mendy and Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel. His consistency at the top remains a major asset for the Morocco national team looking ahead to upcoming continental and international fixtures.
