1 day ago
The Ballon d'Or is back. And this year, it brings a new set of nominees with results influenced by not just club football, but also the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The World Cup had a massive impact on who ended up being nominated and nowhere is this more apparent than with the Yashin Trophy. The Yashin Trophy, named after the goalkeeping legend Lev Yashin, will be awarded to one goalkeeper each in the men's and women's categories. This year, ten nominees for men's and five nominees for women's have been selected.
They're the best goalkeepers in the world! Let's recap our nominees.
follow our live on https://t.co/tzQSMLbRtM #ballondor pic.twitter.com/Ry1Euf9kDT
Looking at this list itself, there are some choices that seem obvious, but some that seemingly came out of nowhere. And here again, the World Cup has shown to be a major confounding variable.
Men's nominees:
#World #yashin #they 're #ry1euf9kdt
The World Cup had a massive impact on who ended up being nominated and nowhere is this more apparent than with the Yashin Trophy. The Yashin Trophy, named after the goalkeeping legend Lev Yashin, will be awarded to one goalkeeper each in the men's and women's categories. This year, ten nominees for men's and five nominees for women's have been selected.
They're the best goalkeepers in the world! Let's recap our nominees.
follow our live on https://t.co/tzQSMLbRtM #ballondor pic.twitter.com/Ry1Euf9kDT
Looking at this list itself, there are some choices that seem obvious, but some that seemingly came out of nowhere. And here again, the World Cup has shown to be a major confounding variable.
Men's nominees:
#World #yashin #they 're #ry1euf9kdt
10 days ago
Chelsea have completed a surprise move with the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The 33-year-old, who has been linked to leaving Villa for the last two summers, has finally got his wish as he has moved for £7.5million, signing a three-year contract with Chelsea.
It comes after criticism of Chelsea's current number one Robert Sanchez.
Martinez, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and twice secured the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, is set to displace Sanchez.
"I'm delighted to be at this football club," Martinez told the club's official website. "Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon – I can't wait to get started.
#aston
The 33-year-old, who has been linked to leaving Villa for the last two summers, has finally got his wish as he has moved for £7.5million, signing a three-year contract with Chelsea.
It comes after criticism of Chelsea's current number one Robert Sanchez.
Martinez, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and twice secured the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, is set to displace Sanchez.
"I'm delighted to be at this football club," Martinez told the club's official website. "Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon – I can't wait to get started.
#aston
10 days ago
Aston Villa officially confirmed the departure of Emiliano 'Dibu' Martínez. The historic Argentine goalkeeper was sold outright to Chelsea, bringing an unforgettable spell in Birmingham to a close as he takes a massive step forward within English football.
The Mar del Plata native arrived at the 'Villans' in 2020 from **** nal and quickly made the goal his own. Through impossible saves and fierce leadership, he became the standout figure of a team that reached the pinnacle by winning the UEFA Europa League last May.
His time at Villa Park was the perfect springboard for his rise with the Argentina National Team. Wearing the albiceleste, Dibu reached the very top: he won two Copa América **** les and the unforgettable World Cup in Qatar 2022, playing a decisive role in penalty shootouts.
Individual recognition soon followed for the No. 1. The Argentine won the Yashin Trophy twice (2023 and 2024) and claimed two FIFA The Best awards, cementing his status as the best goalkeeper on the planet.
From the English club, he was bid farewell with eternal gratitude for his competitive spirit and his indelible mark. Now, Dibu takes on a hugely prestigious challenge at Stamford Bridge, where he will look to make the 'Blues' goal his own.
#goalkeeper
The Mar del Plata native arrived at the 'Villans' in 2020 from **** nal and quickly made the goal his own. Through impossible saves and fierce leadership, he became the standout figure of a team that reached the pinnacle by winning the UEFA Europa League last May.
His time at Villa Park was the perfect springboard for his rise with the Argentina National Team. Wearing the albiceleste, Dibu reached the very top: he won two Copa América **** les and the unforgettable World Cup in Qatar 2022, playing a decisive role in penalty shootouts.
Individual recognition soon followed for the No. 1. The Argentine won the Yashin Trophy twice (2023 and 2024) and claimed two FIFA The Best awards, cementing his status as the best goalkeeper on the planet.
From the English club, he was bid farewell with eternal gratitude for his competitive spirit and his indelible mark. Now, Dibu takes on a hugely prestigious challenge at Stamford Bridge, where he will look to make the 'Blues' goal his own.
#goalkeeper
1 month ago
England's number one Hannah Hampton has signed a new two-year contract with Chelsea.
Hampton joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023, and has gone on to cement herself as both Chelsea and England's first choice goalkeeper.
Over the past three years, she's won five trophies with Chelsea, starred for England as the Lionesses retained their European **** le and was awarded the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards in 2025, recognising her as the best goalkeeper in the world.
The 25-year-old was born in Birmingham but moved to Spain at the age of five. It was at Villarreal where she showed her potential, initially as an outfield player, before moving back to the UK just before her 11th birthday.
Hampton switched to become a goalkeeper a year later while at Stoke City before a move to Birmingham City aged 15. She excelled during her time with Birmingham City.
#five
Hampton joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023, and has gone on to cement herself as both Chelsea and England's first choice goalkeeper.
Over the past three years, she's won five trophies with Chelsea, starred for England as the Lionesses retained their European **** le and was awarded the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards in 2025, recognising her as the best goalkeeper in the world.
The 25-year-old was born in Birmingham but moved to Spain at the age of five. It was at Villarreal where she showed her potential, initially as an outfield player, before moving back to the UK just before her 11th birthday.
Hampton switched to become a goalkeeper a year later while at Stoke City before a move to Birmingham City aged 15. She excelled during her time with Birmingham City.
#five
1 month ago
England international Hannah Hampton has signed a new two-year deal with Chelsea.
The goalkeeper's contract was set to expire this summer and it was key that Chelsea kept her as part of an effort to bounce back from a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
After joining from Aston Villa in 2023, Hampton has become one of the world's best goalkeepers and cemented her position as first choice for the Lionesses.
The 25-year-old has won five trophies during her time in west London and was a standout performer as England won Euro 2025.
She won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards last year and joins fellow England internationals Lucy Bronze and Aggie Beever-Jones in signing new Chelsea deals this summer.
#year #hannah
The goalkeeper's contract was set to expire this summer and it was key that Chelsea kept her as part of an effort to bounce back from a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
After joining from Aston Villa in 2023, Hampton has become one of the world's best goalkeepers and cemented her position as first choice for the Lionesses.
The 25-year-old has won five trophies during her time in west London and was a standout performer as England won Euro 2025.
She won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards last year and joins fellow England internationals Lucy Bronze and Aggie Beever-Jones in signing new Chelsea deals this summer.
#year #hannah
