Arsenal’s David Raya is among the top contenders to be crowned men’s goalkeeper of the year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Raya has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe over the past 18 months and finished seventh in the voting for this prize last year, as Gianluigi Donnarumma took home the award.
Hoping for a big improvement, potentially cracking the top three this year, the Arsenal star’s case is backed up by keeping 19 clean sheets in the Premier League last term and being named in the Champions League team of the season, having kept nine clean sheets in 14 appearances.
However, the favourite for the award is Raya’s international team-mate Joan Garcia after he enjoyed an outstanding debut season at Barcelona, recording the best save percentage across Europe with 77.9% and winning a LaLiga title.
It could be a Spain top three as Unai Simon is also in the running as he started ahead of both Raya and Garcia at the 2026 World Cup, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament and setting a new clean sheet record as La Roja were crowned kings of the world for a second time.
The big three: Joan Garcia, Unai Simon and David Raya
AFP/Getty
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Cata Coll is the front-runner to pick up the women’s goalkeeper of the year award after keeping 23 clean sheets and conceding just nine goals during a dominant campaign for the Catalan side.
Men’s goalkeeper of the year nominees
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al-Hilal)
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium and Real Madrid)
- Joan Garcia (Spain and Barcelona)
- Gregor Kobel (Switzerland and Borussia Dortmund)
- Emi Martinez (Argentina and Aston Villa/Chelsea)
- Edouard Mendy (Senegal and Al-Ahli)
- David Raya (Spain and Arsenal)
- Matvey Safonov (Russia and Paris Saint-Germain)
- Unai Simon (Spain and Athletic Club)
- Vozinha (Cape Verde and GD Chaves/Colo-Colo)
Women’s goalkeeper of the year nominees
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany and Gotham FC)
- Cata Coll (Spain and Barcelona)
- Hannah Hampton (England and Chelsea)
- Lorena (Brazil and Kansas City Current)
- Ayaka Yamashita (Japan and Manchester City)
Follow the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony live on Standard Sport!