Gianluigi Donnarumma has been excluded from the 2026 Yashin Trophy shortlist for the first time in three years, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the reigning champion. The Italy captain, who won the prestigious award in 2025 after guiding Paris Saint-Germain to their maiden UEFA Champions League title, finds himself outside the ten-goalkeeper nomination pool following his summer transfer to Manchester City.
Donnarumma's omission is particularly striking given his historic achievements. He remains only the second goalkeeper ever to win the Yashin Trophy twice, having claimed the award in both 2021 and 2025—a feat matched solely by Emiliano Martínez, who won in 2023 and 2024. Yet his move to the Premier League has seemingly cost him recognition, despite an impressive debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium.
City Career Statistics
During the 2024-25 season, Donnarumma appeared in 43 matches across all competitions for Manchester City, conceding 41 goals while maintaining 18 clean sheets. He also collected FA Cup and League Cup winners' medals, though he did not feature in either final. His form was solid rather than spectacular, reflecting the team's transition period as they adjusted their tactical setup with the Italian stopper between the posts.
The ten nominees now represent a diverse pool of international talent, dominated by La Liga and Premier League representatives:
- Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal, Morocco)
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
- Joan García (Barcelona, Spain)
- Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund, Switzerland)
- Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
- Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli, Senegal)
- David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
- Matvey Safonov (Paris Saint-Germain, Russia)
- Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao, Spain)
- Vozinha (Colo-Colo, Cape Verde)
Serie A Absence Notable
Strikingly, no goalkeeper from Serie A has made the shortlist, ending the Italian top-flight's presence in the Yashin Trophy conversation. This marks the first time in recent memory that Italy's elite division has been completely shut out from the goalkeeper nominations, underscoring the growing dominance of Europe's wealthier leagues in the Ballon d'Or voting process.
Donnarumma's exclusion may encourage reflection on whether consistency across a calendar year outweighs individual brilliance, and whether a move to a new league automatically resets a goalkeeper's profile in the eyes of international voters. As the 2026 award recipient is determined, Donnarumma will look to reassert himself as a world-class custodian and challenge for recognition once more.
