Yassine Bounou Nominated for 2025 Yashin Award
The magazine “France Football” announced on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the nomination of Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, commonly known as “Bounou,” for the 2025 Yashin Award. This award is given annually to the best goalkeeper in the world and is named after the Soviet legend Lev Yashin. It recognizes Bounou’s outstanding performance with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and the Moroccan national team.
Distinguished Career and Unique Origins
Yassine Bounou, 34, was born in Montreal, Canada, to Moroccan parents and returned to Casablanca with his family at the age of three. He began his youth career with Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco before moving to Europe, where he spent most of his professional career in Spain. He played over 150 matches in La Liga and more than 50 in the second division. His prominence grew particularly during the 2021-2022 season when he won the Zamora Trophy as the best goalkeeper in La Liga with Sevilla, winning the UEFA Europa League that year.
In 2022, Bounou showcased his skills on the international stage, leading the Moroccan national team to a fourth-place finish at the World Cup in Qatar. He achieved four clean sheets, becoming the first African goalkeeper to record three clean sheets in a single World Cup.
These accomplishments positioned him as a strong contender for individual awards, finishing third in the FIFA Best Goalkeeper rankings for 2022 and 2023, according to FIFA and the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.
Stellar Performance with Al Hilal
Since joining Al Hilal, Bounou has continued to assert himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Al Hilal boasts a record eight AFC Champions League titles, benefiting from Bounou’s experience and defensive discipline. He has averaged over 30 appearances per season since 2019. His exceptional performances in the Saudi league and Asian competitions have made him a prominent candidate for this award.
