Unai Simón

Unai Simón was Spain's goalkeeper when the team won the 2026 World Cup, and he finished the tournament with a record for a goalkeeper at one World Cup. FIFA says he recorded seven clean sheets, the most by any goalkeeper in a single edition, and that Spain conceded just one goal across eight matches [1]. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final on 19 July 2026 [1].

The Golden Glove followed. FIFA's own release carries a photograph captioned as Simón being presented with the award [1], and Fox Sports reports that he was awarded it for the tournament [4].

Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz

Simón was born on 11 June 1997 in Vitoria-Gasteiz [2] [3]. Wikidata records Spanish citizenship [3]. LaLiga's profile lists him as a goalkeeper for Athletic Club and gives his height as 190 cm [2].

From Aurrera to San Mamés

Simón started at CD Aurrera, a club in Vitoria with a partnership agreement with Athletic. Vavel reports that the coach Javier Barbero recruited him at eleven [7]. He then moved into Athletic's youth system, joined the cadet side as a teenager and worked his way up through the Lezama training base [7].

Vavel lists his route through Athletic's feeder teams: CD Basconia, his first taste of senior football, and Bilbao Athletic, where he was promoted in the summer of 2016 [7]. His La Liga debut came on 20 August 2018 at San Mamés, a 2-1 win over Leganés, when he was 21 [7]. Vavel says he has spent his whole professional career at Athletic Club [7].

A contract to 2029

In September 2024 Football España reported that Simón had agreed a contract extension at Athletic Club until 2029, after rejecting interest from the Saudi Pro League [5]. Vavel says he signed a new contract in May 2024 [7]. The same Football España article quotes him saying: “I want to be the world's best goal keeper here at Athletic Club.” The outlet expected him to finish his career at the San Mamés stadium [5].

Spain debut and honours

Luis Enrique gave Simón his Spain debut on 11 November 2020, in a 1-1 friendly against the Netherlands [7].

Vavel lists his club honours as the 2021 Spanish Super Cup and the 2024 Copa del Rey with Athletic, plus the Zamora Trophy for 2023-24 [7]. With Spain it lists the 2015 European Under-19 Championship, the 2019 European Under-21 Championship, an Olympic silver medal at Tokyo, the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024 [7].

Euro 2024 and a wrist operation

Simón was in Spain's squad when the team won Euro 2024. Football España reported that he played through a persistent wrist injury during the tournament [5]. After the title he had surgery on the wrist, and the outlet said he would not be expected back until the start of 2025 [5].

Starting ahead of two Golden Glove winners

Simón started ahead of David Raya and Joan García, the Premier League and La Liga Golden Glove winners, who were Spain's second and third goalkeepers [4]. He credited head coach Luis de la Fuente for choosing him to start [4]. Fox Sports calls his shot-stopping reliable, says he came out to deal with balls over the top, and credits him with strong command of his box. It says he worked well with centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí [4].

A second world title

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey [1]. It was Spain's second World Cup title, following their triumph in 2010 [1]. Over the tournament Spain scored 14 goals, their highest World Cup tally [1]. The final was Simón's fourth major international tournament, and he had already helped Spain win the European Championship, keeping three clean sheets in six matches [4].

The clean-sheet record

Fox Sports reports that he finished the 2026 tournament with seven clean sheets, breaking the record for the most by a goalkeeper at a single World Cup [4]. Entering the final, Spain had conceded only one goal, and the 1-0 win was the fewest goals any team has conceded on its way to winning the tournament [4].

The final itself gave him little to do. Spain outshot Argentina 20-2. Speaking through an interpreter, Simón said his hands “didn't really have to work that hard as much as other keepers”, and he credited his teammates [6]. The same report says he made 14 saves across the tournament [6]. It calls the final Spain's record seventh World Cup shutout [6].

Spain's only goal conceded before the final came in a 2-1 quarter-final win over Belgium [6]. The report notes that the 2010 champions had previously shared the record for the fewest goals allowed at a World Cup, with two [6]. Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, made a record 11 saves in the final alone [6], a reminder that the award measures a whole tournament, not one match.