2023 Yashin Trophy winner: Emiliano Martinez

After Argentina’s heroics in the 2022 World Cup, Emiliano Martinez was crowned the winner of the 2023 Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or presentation.

With one crucial save from Randal Kolo Muani in the championship game that proved to be crucial before their triumph on penalties at Lusail Iconic Stadium, the Aston Villa goalkeeper was a vital member of La Albiceleste’s squad in Qatar towards the end of the previous year.

Didier Drogba, the co-host, had to suppress jeers from the crowd during the ceremony as a video of the save was shown to the underwhelmed French audience at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. At the championship presentation, Martinez’s father stepped out to support his son.

To win the trophy, Martinez beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Yassine Bounou, Andre Onana, Aaron Ramsdale, Ederson, Mike Maignan, and Dominik Livakovic to the prestigious award. The 15th-ranked Argentine goalkeeper in the Ballon d’Or rankings was also the winner of the 2022 World Cup Golden Glove Award and the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Award.