The Yashin Trophy is named after Lev Yashin, the legendary Soviet goalkeeper who won the Ballon d’Or in 1963. He remains the only goalkeeper to have received football’s prestigious individual award, making his name a fitting choice for a prize celebrating excellence in goal. UEFA
Introduced by France Football in 2019, the Yashin Trophy recognises the world’s best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Its name connects today’s outstanding goalkeepers with one of the position’s most celebrated figures. Chelsea FC
Who Was Lev Yashin?
Lev Yashin was a goalkeeper for Dynamo Moscow and the Soviet Union. His place in football history rests on an achievement no other goalkeeper has matched: winning the Ballon d’Or in 1963. Inter Milan
That distinction explains why his name carries particular significance at the Ballon d’Or awards. Naming the goalkeeper prize after Yashin honours a player who proved that someone in his position could earn football’s highest individual recognition.
What Is the Yashin Trophy?
The Yashin Trophy is a goalkeeper-specific award presented as part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony. France Football created it in 2019 to give outstanding goalkeepers their own place among the event’s individual honours. Chelsea FC
The award recognises the demands of a position where decisive contributions often come through saves, positioning and preventing goals.
Who Won the First Yashin Trophy?
Alisson Becker won the first Yashin Trophy in 2019. The Liverpool goalkeeper received the award during a year in which he also won the Champions League and earned several individual goalkeeping honours. Liverpool FC
His victory began the award’s history, establishing a dedicated prize for goalkeepers alongside the main Ballon d’Or.
Is the Yashin Trophy the Same as the Ballon d’Or?
The Yashin Trophy and the Ballon d’Or are separate awards presented at the same ceremony. The Yashin Trophy specifically recognises a goalkeeper, while goalkeepers are also eligible for the main Ballon d’Or—as Yashin demonstrated in 1963. UEFA
The connection between the two awards is precisely what makes the name meaningful: Yashin’s historic Ballon d’Or win is remembered whenever a goalkeeper receives the trophy bearing his name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Yashin Trophy named after?
It is named after Lev Yashin, the former Dynamo Moscow and Soviet Union goalkeeper who won the Ballon d’Or in 1963.
When was the Yashin Trophy introduced?
France Football introduced the Yashin Trophy in 2019 as part of the Ballon d’Or awards.
Why was Lev Yashin chosen?
Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or. Naming the award after him honours that unique achievement and his place in goalkeeping history.
Who was the first Yashin Trophy winner?
Liverpool and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker won the inaugural award in 2019.