Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has once again claimed the prestigious Yashin Trophy at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, solidifying his reputation as the world’s top goalkeeper.
This marks Martinez’s second consecutive Yashin Trophy win, having first received the award in 2023. The trophy, awarded annually since 2019, recognizes the best goalkeeper based on votes from former Ballon d’Or winners. Martinez edged out other top contenders, including AC Milan’s Mike Maignan, PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.
The Argentine shot-stopper enjoyed another outstanding year, building on his success at the 2022 World Cup, where he was pivotal in Argentina’s triumph. Martinez also starred in the 2024 Copa America, where he kept five clean sheets in six matches, including a crucial shutout in the 1-0 final victory against Colombia.
In club football, Martinez was instrumental in Aston Villa’s impressive campaign, recording 15 clean sheets across competitions and helping the team secure an unexpected spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Yashin Trophy 2024 Rankings
1st: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
2nd: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
3rd: Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)
4th: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
5th: Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
6th: Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
7th: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia, on loan from Liverpool)
8th: Diogo Costa (Porto)
9th: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
10th: Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)
Martinez’s rise to prominence has been remarkable. After making just 38 appearances for Arsenal, he transferred to Aston Villa in 2020, where he quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. Since joining, he has made 171 appearances for Villa, becoming a vital figure in the team’s recent success.
