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Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
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The World Cup star joins Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez and Yassine Bounou on a 10-man shortlist.
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Arsenal’s David Raya, Barcelona’s Joan Garcia and Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel are also nominated.
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The shortlist features three African goalkeepers, with Bounou, Edouard Mendy and Vozinha representing the continent.
September 08, (THEWILL) — The 2026 Ballon d’Or goalkeeper race has produced a major surprise, with Cape Verde star, Vozinha, named alongside some of the biggest names in world football.
The experienced goalkeeper is among 10 nominees for the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, joining Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea’s Emiliano Martínez and Al Hilal’s Yassine Bounou on a star-studded shortlist.
Vozinha’s inclusion is particularly notable after his standout performances for Cape Verde on the international stage, where his reputation grew significantly during the country’s memorable World Cup campaign.
Vozinha Gets Ballon d’Or Recognition
The nomination represents a significant moment for Vozinha, who has spent much of his career away from the spotlight enjoyed by goalkeepers at Europe’s biggest clubs.
His presence on the Ballon d’Or shortlist places him in the same conversation as some of the most decorated and highly rated goalkeepers in the world.
While Courtois and Martínez arrive with extensive experience at the highest level of European football, Vozinha’s nomination is a reminder that outstanding international performances can also command recognition on football’s biggest individual stage.
For Cape Verde, it is another major achievement for one of the country’s most recognisable football figures.
Courtois And Martínez Headline The Shortlist
Vozinha faces competition from several established stars, with Courtois and Martínez among the leading names.
Courtois remains one of the world’s most accomplished goalkeepers and has built a reputation for producing decisive performances for Real Madrid on the biggest occasions.
Martínez has similarly established himself as a major figure for both club and country, particularly following his influential role with Argentina.
Bounou adds another experienced contender to the field after becoming one of Africa’s most celebrated goalkeepers and an important figure for Morocco.
Three African Goalkeepers Make the Cut
The 2026 shortlist also stands out for its strong African representation.
Bounou is joined by Senegal international Edouard Mendy and Vozinha, giving Africa three representatives among the 10 nominees.
Mendy has enjoyed success at the highest level of European football, while Bounou’s performances for Morocco have elevated his standing internationally.
Vozinha’s inclusion gives Cape Verde a place among the world’s goalkeeping elite and adds an underdog element to an otherwise star-heavy shortlist.
Spain Has Three Nominees
Spain also has a strong presence in the category, with three goalkeepers making the list.
Arsenal’s David Raya, Barcelona’s Joan Garcia and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simón have all been recognised after their respective club and international performances.
Raya has established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper and an important part of Mikel Arteta’s side, while Simón remains one of Spain’s most trusted options.
Garcia’s nomination is particularly significant given his emergence at Barcelona and his status as one of the younger names competing for the award.
The 10 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award are:
- Yassine Bounou — Al Hilal and Morocco
- Thibaut Courtois — Real Madrid and Belgium
- Gregor Kobel — Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland
- Joan Garcia — Barcelona and Spain
- Edouard Mendy — Al-Ahli and Senegal
- Emiliano Martínez — Chelsea and Argentina
- David Raya — Arsenal and Spain
- Vozinha — GD Chaves/Colo-Colo and Cape Verde
- Unai Simón — Athletic Bilbao and Spain
- Matvey Safonov — Paris Saint-Germain and Russia
The shortlist sets up an intriguing battle between established champions, leading European goalkeepers and international stars whose performances have captured attention beyond their clubs.
For Vozinha, however, the nomination carries an extra significance. From representing Cape Verde on the world stage to finding himself among the world’s most celebrated goalkeepers, the Ballon d’Or recognition marks another remarkable chapter in his career.
The winner will be announced at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
Nominated for the 2026 Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year ⬇️
🇩🇪 Ann-Katrin Berger
🇪🇸 Cata Coll
🏴 Hannah Hampton
🇧🇷 Lorena
🇯🇵 Ayaka Yamashita#ballondor pic.twitter.com/awJOGaOoLG— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
