The World Cup Golden Glove, known as the Lev Yashin Award between 1994 and 2006, is handed out to the best goalkeeper of each tournament. The award takes its original name from the legendary flat cap-wearing Soviet stopper, widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper to have ever lived.

From the 2010 World Cup onwards, FIFA rebranded the honour as the Golden Glove, bringing it in line with the tournament’s other individual awards, the Golden Ball for best overall player, and the Golden Boot for the top scorer. The change of name did nothing to diminish the prestige of the award, which remains one of the most coveted individual honours a goalkeeper can receive on the international stage.

Since its inception, it’s been won by some of the most celebrated goalkeepers of their respective generations, each producing tournament performances that have lived long in the memory. Whether commanding their area, organising their defence, or producing match-winning saves at crucial moments, every winner has left their mark on their World Cup.

Here is every recipient, along with what made their tournament so special:

8

1994 – Michel Preud’homme (Belgium)

Michel Preud’homme was the standout goalkeeper of USA ’94, producing a series of commanding displays for Belgium. The Mechelen shot-stopper was particularly brilliant in the group stage, making crucial saves that kept Belgium competitive in a tough group that included the Netherlands, a side they beat 1-0.

Though his side were knocked out by Germany in the round of 16, Preud’homme’s performances were essential in keeping that match and others competitive for his country and was rewarded with the inaugural Lev Yashin Award.

7

1998 – Fabien Barthez (France)

Fabien Barthez was the last line of a French defence that was the backbone of their home World Cup triumph in 1998. Barthez was as charismatic as he was agile, and kept clean sheets throughout much of the tournament as France marched to glory.

His shot-stopping and commanding presence in the penalty area gave the French backline enormous assurance. While Zinedine Zidane may have grabbed the headlines with his two final headers against Brazil, Barthez’s contribution to France’s title win was equally vital, and the Lev Yashin Award was fitting recognition for a goalkeeper at the very top of his game.

6

2002 — Oliver Kahn (Germany)

Oliver Kahn was an all-out shot-stopper for 20 years. He was a colossus for Germany throughout the 2002 World Cup, making save after save to drag his side all the way to the final.

His shot-stopping was utterly fearless, and he single-handedly kept Germany in matches that could easily have gone the other way. Time and again he stood firm when those in front of him couldn’t, producing a tournament that will live long in goalkeeping folklore. Such was the scale of his dominance between the sticks, voters went even further than the Lev Yashin Award, also naming him the best player of the entire tournament, making him the first and only goalkeeper in history to win the Golden Ball.

5

2006 – Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

Gianluigi Buffon was at the heart of one of the greatest defensive performances in World Cup history as Italy lifted the trophy in Germany.

The Juventus goalkeeper conceded just two goals in the entire tournament. That itself is impressive, but when you realise that one was an own goal, and the other Zinedine Zidane’s Panenka penalty in the final, it makes you do a double take. His commanding displays against Australia, Ukraine, and Germany in the knockout rounds were particularly impressive. Having a backline fronted by Fabio Cannavaro helps, but Buffon had to do the work, and was the obvious choice for the Lev Yashin Award at the end of the tournament.

4

2010 – Iker Casillas (Spain)

Iker Casillas made a career out of impossible saves and clean sheets. He was the captain and the heartbeat of Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup triumph, their first-ever. The Real Madrid legend made several decisive saves throughout the latter stages of the tournament.

In the semi-final, he saved a penalty that kept the match at 0-0 against Paraguay, then in the final stared down Arjen Robben one-on-one twice, and won both times. Spain’s style of play under Vicente del Bosque relied on keeping the ball, but when they needed their goalkeeper, Casillas delivered every time. He lifted the trophy as captain, and the Golden Glove was just one of several honours he collected in what was the peak year of an extraordinary international career that lasted 167 matches.

3

2014 – Manuel Neuer (Germany)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JULY 13: Manuel Neuer of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Manuel Neuer’s 2014 World Cup performances did as much as anyone to popularise the concept of the sweeper-keeper. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper operated almost as an auxiliary defender, regularly coming far off his line to intercept through balls and engage attackers one-on-one.

His range of passing and comfort with the ball at his feet were unlike anything previously seen at a World Cup from a goalkeeper. Germany won the tournament, and Neuer was an integral reason why. The Golden Glove recognised not just his elite shot-stopping, but an entirely new way of playing the position that’s influenced goalkeeping ever since.

2

2018 – Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

Despite Luka Modric taking home the Golden Ball award, Thibaut Courtois was among the best players at the 2018 World Cup in any position.

The then-Chelsea goalkeeper was outstanding as Belgium reached the semi-finals, producing a string of world-class saves that repeatedly kept his side in matches. His performance against Brazil in the quarter-final, in which he single-handedly denied one of the tournament’s most attacking sides, was one of the greatest individual displays of goalkeeping in World Cup history. Belgium were ultimately eliminated by winners France, but Courtois had given everything. The Golden Glove was the least he deserved for a tournament that announced him as the best goalkeeper on the planet.

1

2022 – Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)

Emiliano Martinez played a starring role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, and not just through conventional goalkeeping.

His shot-stopping throughout the tournament was excellent, especially when he denied Randall Kolo-Muani in the closing seconds of extra-time in the final, but it was his psychological impact in penalty shootouts that set him apart. Against the Netherlands in the quarter-final and France in the final, Martinez was theatrical, provocative, and utterly brilliant in saving crucial penalties and getting inside opponents’ heads. Argentina won the World Cup, and Martínez was awarded the Golden Glove, although what he did with the trophy is a rather forgettable image.

Following on from his claims about being banned from the UFC Freedom 250 event, set to be held at the White House, Sean Strickland has gone all out in his own polarising way.

The controversial American has posted about being banned from the UFC event on the 14th of June, and instead of seeking any sort of forgiveness, has further pushed the boat out.

The UFC middleweight champion released a video on X saying he had been banned from attending the event due in part to his outspoken views on President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, as well as his associations with Jeffrey Epstein and the Israeli government.

Strickland last entered the Octagon in May, when he took the middleweight title off of Khamzat Chimaev, so it would have been very unlikely that he would fight again at this event. Despite that, Dana White and the rest of the UFC hierarchy have made it clear to the 35-year-old that he is not welcome to attend UFC White House.

It seems that Tarzan hasn’t taken the news particularly well, as he has jumped on social media to double down on his opinions.

Sean Strickland’s Reaction to Being Banned From White House

The veteran has never been afraid to speak his mind, and is known as a loose cannon, which helps explain why he has been told to stay away from what is already looking like a controversial event.

Only hours after releasing a video in which he explains why he has been blacklisted from Washington DC, he posted an AI image of himself wearing his usual fighting gear, as well as a fedora, a large trench coat, as well as sporting payots, in an attempt to look Jewish.

Strickland posted a caption on the AI-generated image saying: “Going to the White House was promised to me 3,000 years ago.”

The reference is seen as an anti-Semitic slur regarding the Torah teachings where God promised the land of Israel to the Jewish people 3,000 years ago.

Sean Strickland Gets Into War of Words With Justin Gaethje

The controversial UFC fighter didn’t stop there, though. He has been very active on X giving his opinions on the matter, and has even begun feuding with other fighters, such as Justin Gaethje, on the platform.

Strickland has always been a controversial figure, and this latest episode doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

Before last month’s win over Chimaev at UFC 328, the veteran called his Russian opponent a ‘terrorist’, while in January, before his bout against Anthony Hernandez, he posted an AI-generated image of himself as a US immigration officer and Hernandez, who is, like Strickland, a California native, in a sombrero and poncho.

Following the news that Sean Strickland has been banned from attending the UFC Freedom 250 event, a number of fighters have had their say on the matter.

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland took to X to confirm he has been instructed not to attend the UFC event, due to take place on the South Lawn of the White House on the 14th of June.

Strickland has claimed that because he has spoken out about President Trump’s associations with Jeffrey Epstein and the Israeli Prime Minister, he has been ordered by Dana White and the rest of the UFC hierarchy to stay away from the Presidential home.

The fall-out has continued, as fellow UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has had his say on the matter, who is never one to shy away from controversial topics.

What Bryce Mitchell Has Said About Sean Strickland’s Ban

Reacting to the middleweight champion’s ban, Mitchell said: “I’m not surprised at all.”

The 31-year-old went on to explain how he believes that freedom of speech is an important part of being American and should allow a person to criticise if and when they see fit.

Despite siding with Strickland, Mitchell did admit that he would jump at the chance to be a part of the card for UFC Freedom 250.

“I do want to be on the card,” he added, before explaining that he isn’t jealous of the likes of Derrick Lewis, Alex Pereira, and Sean O’Malley. “This is what I gotta say, I ain’t jealous of any of those fighters. I am so happy for those fighters.

“If they need me to fill in, if I’m healthy, hey, I’ll do it.”

Bryce Mitchell’s Previous Controversies

The 18-3 fighter has a history of controversial takes, from claiming COVID-19 was created by the US government, to praising Adolf Hitler and denying that the Holocaust happened, so he probably isn’t someone Sean Strickland sees as a worthwhile advocate.

Mitchell does, however, go on to say that he thinks sport and government shouldn’t go hand in hand.

Mitchell is defiant in his opinion that the UFC should not be working with the White House to host an event, but he does refrain from putting the blame on the likes of Dana White, and says it is an opportunity that the UFC could not turn down. He puts the blame solely on the US government, claiming: “We already have a corrupted government.”

Mitchell is in action this Saturday on the UFC Vegas 118 card when he takes on Satiago Luna.