Cata Coll and Unai Simón win Ballon d’Or goalkeeper awards

Cata Coll and Unai Simón have won the women’s and men’s Goalkeeper of the Year awards at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, extending Spain’s run of successes in London on Monday, 26 October.

The organisers confirmed Barcelona goalkeeper Coll and Athletic Club’s Simón as the winners during the ceremony at the London Palladium.

The goalkeeping prizes are separate from the main men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards.

Goalkeeping honours for Coll and Simón

Coll came through a five-player shortlist that also included Ann-Katrin Berger, Hannah Hampton, Lorena and Ayaka Yamashita. Hampton was the winner of the women’s goalkeeping award in 2025, according to UEFA’s official awards record.

Simón was one of ten nominees for the men’s prize. His fellow candidates included Thibaut Courtois, Joan García, David Raya, Emiliano Martínez, Yassine Bounou and Édouard Mendy.

In its announcement, the Ballon d’Or organisers highlighted Simón’s contribution to Spain’s World Cup campaign and Coll’s role in Barcelona’s four-trophy season. The awards recognise their work over the season, rather than a single match.

Romeu and De la Fuente take coaching prizes

Barcelona’s Pere Romeu won the women’s Coach of the Year award, while Spain national-team coach Luis de la Fuente received the men’s honour.

Romeu’s Barcelona side completed a domestic and European quadruple. De la Fuente’s recognition followed Spain’s World Cup triumph.

The men’s coaching shortlist also featured Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique. Romeu was nominated alongside Jonatan Giráldez, Andrée Jeglertz, Nils Nielsen and Elena Sadiku.

Vicky López retains young-player honour

Vicky López won the women’s Young Talent of the Year award for a second successive year. The organisers’ winners archive also records the Barcelona player as the 2025 recipient.

Her success followed Lamine Yamal’s third consecutive young-player award in the men’s category earlier in the evening.