Three African Goalkeepers Nominated for Yashin Trophy

Three African goalkeepers have been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award (Yashin Trophy), as announced by France Football. The nominees include Yassine Bounou from Morocco (Al Hilal), Édouard Mendy from Senegal (Al Ahli), and Vozinha from Cape Verde (Colo-Colo).

This recognition highlights the representation of African talent among the world's elite goalkeepers. The nominations are based on performances from August 2025 to July 2026, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Vozinha's nomination is particularly notable due to his impressive performances during the World Cup, where he became a standout player. He helped Cape Verde, making their tournament debut, to a goalless draw against Spain and pushed Argentina into extra time in the Round of 32.

Cape Verde was eliminated after a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina. Vozinha, who captained his team, saw his social media following surge from fewer than 50,000 to nearly 29 million during the tournament.

He signed with Colo-Colo shortly after the World Cup.