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Safonov named among ten goalkeepers for 2026 Ballon d'Or after Champions League triumph

PSG's Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov is among the ten candidates for Goalkeeper of the Year at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony. His Champions League victory with Paris secures his selection alongside Courtois, Martínez and Raya.

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Safonov named among ten goalkeepers for 2026 Ballon d'Or after Champions League triumph
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Matvey Safonov is one of ten goalkeepers nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony. The Russian goalkeeper at Paris Saint-Germain, often criticized for his unconventional style, has been selected to succeed Gianluigi Donnarumma on the honour roll, driven notably by his Champions League victory with the Parisian club.

His nine competitors are Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al-Hilal), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Real Madrid), Joan Garcia (Spain, FC Barcelona), Gregor Kobel (Switzerland, Borussia Dortmund), Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa), Édouard Mendy (Senegal, Al-Ahli), David Raya (Spain, Arsenal), Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Bilbao) and Vozinha (Cape Verde, Colo-Colo).

PSG could have a strong showing at this ceremony: the capital club and its head coach Luis Enrique are also tipped in the Club of the Year and Coach of the Year categories. The full list of male and female nominees for the main Ballon d’Or is to be unveiled on Tuesday, September 8.

The trophy ceremony will be held not in Paris, but in London, on Monday, October 26.

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