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Best Goalkeeper at Every Tournament

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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:

All World Cup Golden Glove Winners

Year

Host

Winner

Country

1994

United States

Michel Preud’homme

Belgium

1998

France

Fabien Barthez

France

2002

South Korea/Japan

Oliver Kahn

Germany

2006

Germany

Gianluigi Buffon

Italy

2010

South Africa

Iker Casillas

Spain

2014

Brazil

Manuel Neuer

Germany

2018

Russia

Thibaut Courtois

Belgium

2022

Qatar

Emiliano Martínez

Argentina

8

1994 – Michel Preud’homme (Belgium)

Michel Preud'Homme - Belgium
Michel Preud’Homme – Belgium stock 2/7/94 Pic : Action Images

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)

Fabian Barthez taking to the skies for France in the 1998 World Cup final

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.


Collage featuring Gianluigi Buffon, Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech.


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6

2002 — Oliver Kahn (Germany)

Oliver Kahn Germany World Cup 2002 final

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)

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrating

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)

Spain win the 2010 World Cup

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.


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3

2014 – Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Neuer wins 2014 World Cup 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)

Thibaut Courtois

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)

MixCollage-13-May-2024-12-04-PM-2539

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.

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Every Real Madrid Player’s Wage [2026]

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Through some very solid work in the transfer window in recent years, Real Madrid have built one of the most impressive young squads in all of football. With the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Thibaut Courtois all playing for the team, there aren’t many sides in world football who can compete with them.

As a result, though, they’re certainly having to pay for their talent and their payroll is pretty hefty. While Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold both joined the club at the end of their contracts at previous clubs, both men are on eye-watering salaries at the Bernabeu. They aren’t the only ones, either. Below are the wages earned by each member of Los Blancos’ first-team squad.

Goalkeepers

Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois

In goal, it should come as a surprise to no one that Thibaut Courtois is comfortably the highest earner. The Belgian joined Madrid in 2018 from Chelsea and has been their number one choice since. Aside from spells out with injuries, there’s never any doubt about his spot in the starting lineup and his weekly wage reflects that. Courtois is on £249,824-a-week.

In some distance behind him, Andriy Lunin is the only other goalkeeper currently in the first team squad and he is on £76,280-a-week. As Courtois’ back-up, first-team opportunities aren’t something he’s expected to be presented with too often, but he has stepped up magnificently during the former Chelsea man’s absences whenever needed.

Real Madrid Goalkeeper Salaries

Player

Salary (per week)

Thibaut Courtois

£249,824

Andriy Lunin

£76,280

Defenders

Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold during the match vs Man City

Like in goal, there’s a clear winner in terms of the highest-paid defenders at Real Madrid, with David Alaba making almost £100,000-a-week more than any other defender in the squad. The Austrian full-back takes home £374,736 on a weekly basis. That’s more than Trent Alexander-Arnold’s £277,638, while Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao are both making the exact same amount of money each week, on £242,829 each.

Similarly, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are on the same wages, with the full-backs earning £173,545-a-week each. Fellow defenders, Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen, earn £149,228. Raul Asencio and Fran Garcia round out the list of defenders, on £104,093 and £86,772 every week, respectively.

Ibrahima Konate has agreed to join the club from Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires. According to reports, he will earn just shy of £200,000 weekly.

Real Madrid Defender Salaries

Player

Salary (per week)

David Alaba

£374,736

Trent Alexander-Arnold

£277,638

Antonio Rudiger

£242,829

Eder Militao

£242,829

Ibrahima Konate (agreed to sign)

£198,907*

Dani Carvajal

£173,545

Ferland Mendy

£173,545

Dean Huijsen

£149,228

Alvaro Carreras

£149,228

Raul Asencio

£104,093

Fran Garcia

£86,772

Midfielders

Real Madrid CF’s Jude Bellingham playing against Real Betis

Jude Bellingham has been one of the best midfielders in the world since his move to Real Madrid in 2023 and he’s being paid like the best midfielder in the world too. The Englishman is on £ 346,923 per week at the Santiago Bernabeu and is comfortably ahead of Federico Valverde in second place out of the club’s midfielders.

The Uruguayan is making £277,638 every seven days, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga also making over £200k, on £208,187 each week. Dani Ceballos is expected to leave this summer, but is currently earning a handsome £173,545 ever week as it stands.

Real Madrid Midfielder Salaries

Player

Salary (per week)

Jude Bellingham

£346,923

Federico Valverde

£277,638

Eduardo Camavinga

£208,187

Aurelien Tchouameni

£208,187

Dani Ceballos

£173,545

Forwards

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham Footage Goes Viral After Real Madrid Boos

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham Footage Goes Viral After Real Madrid Boos

Kylian Mbappe is far and away the highest earner at Real Madrid right now, taking home over half a million pounds every single week. It’s an astonishing figure and shows just how highly he’s rated at the Santiago Bernabeu. He’s done a solid job repaying them, though, having enjoyed an electric first two seasons at the club individually. Some way behind him in second place among the forwards is Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian superstar is making just over £400,000-a-week.

His compatriot Rodrygo is on £277,638-a-week,while Brahim Diaz and Franco Mastantuono are the last forwards making over £100k-a-week. They are both on £121,415-per-week, while Arda Guler, Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia round out the group, taking home £86,772, £34,642 and £27,814 every week, respectively.

Real Madrid Forward Salaries

Player

Salary (per week)

Kylian Mbappe

£520,467

Vinicius Jr

£416,374

Rodrygo

£277,638

Franco Mastantuono

£121,415

Brahim Diaz

£121,415

Arda Guler

£86,772

Endrick

£34,642

Gonzalo Garcia

£27,814

All figures courtesy of Capology and Transfermarkt and accurate as of 04-06-26.

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Tottenham Set To Rekindle Transfer Interest In £60m Man City Ace

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Tottenham are set to rekindle their interest in Manchester City winger Savinho, GIVEMESPORT understands.

Spurs made a series of offers for the Brazilian last summer, with the highest bid exceeding £60million. Savinho wanted to join, but GMS understands Manchester City board member Ferran Soriano blocked the move.

City felt selling Savinho was a mistake, believing his high-ceiling was just cause to keep him at the club. The Brazilian went on to make 24 Premier League appearances last season, scoring just once.

Savinho will miss the World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico

Savinho in action for Manchester City

The 22-year-old Savinho failed to make Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup and will now consider his Manchester City future. Key to any decision will be incoming new manager Enzo Maresca, and whether Savinho feels he will get enough game time at the Etihad Stadium.

Spurs’ bid last summer was viewed as competitive, but Manchester City decided not to sell at any price.

There has been no new bid for Savinho yet, but that could change this month as Spurs want to move quickly to back Roberto De Zerbi in the transfer market.

Agreements in principle are already in place with defenders Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to sign on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively. Spurs want to move quickly to formalise both deals to avoid any surprises.

Spurs have also seen a bid rejected by Brighton for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. Brighton are thought to be holding out for a fee in the region of £70million for the defender who has just one year left on his contract.

Two midfielders Tottenham are interested in signing

Alex Scott
Alex Scott

And a new central midfielder is on the cards too. Joao Palhinha, who spent the season on loan at Spurs from Bayern Munich, is open to staying, and clarity on his future is expected soon. De Zerbi has already admitted that he would “100%” like to sign the Portuguese permanently.

Spurs are also one of the clubs to have considered Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, but Everton are considered frontrunners for his signature.

And there is an appreciation for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who is also on Manchester United’s list of options to sign this summer. Bournemouth intend to try and ward off suitors for him by offering Scott a new deal as they hope to end summer speculation over his future.


Roberto De Zerbi on the sideliens during his first match as Tottenham boss


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20 Players With Most MOTM Awards in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues [2025-26]

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Which footballer bagged the most Man of the Match awards in Europe’s top five leagues during the 2025-26 campaign?

There have been a handful of standout players in England’s Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, France’s Ligue 1 and Italy’s Serie A since August.

Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has dominated in the Bundesliga, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Arsenal’s Declan Rice have both been excellent in the Premier League, while Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continues to amaze each week in La Liga.

WhoScored keep a tally of Man of the Match (MotM) awards in their statistics section, and 20 players in Europe’s top five leagues won six or more awards between August and May. Surprisingly, there are no Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain players in the top 20.

Six Man of the Match Awards

Brentford's Igor Thiago
Brentford’s Igor Thiago

Eight players ended the season with six MotM awards including Brentford’s Igor Thiago, who scored 22 Premier League goals and subsequently earned a call-up to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi went one better by scoring an impressive 23 goals in La Liga, while Stuttgart’s Denis Undav netted 19 goals in the Bundesliga.

Burkina Faso international Herve Koffi, who spent the season on loan at Angers from Lens, is the only goalkeeper in the top 20, along with Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi.

Another interesting name here is the Stevenage-born Keinan Davis, who scored 10 league goals for Italian outfit Udinese.

Six MOTM Awards (Top 5 leagues, 2025-26)

Player

Club

Goals

Assists

Rating

13.

Denis Undav

Stuttgart

19

6

7.18

14.

Herve Koffi

Angers

0

0

7.14

15.

Igor Thiago

Brentford

22

1

7.09

16.

Vedat Muriqi

Mallorca

23

1

7.09

17.

Bazoumana Toure

Hoffenheim

5

9

7.04

18.

Carlos Romero

Espanyol

6

3

6.99

19.

Marco Carnesecchi

Atalanta

0

0

6.94

20.

Keinan Davis

Udinese

10

4

6.89

Seven Man of the Match Awards

Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes won the 2025-26 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award after breaking the Premier League record for most assists (21) in a season. The Portuguese maestro has been worth his weight in gold for the Red Devils.

Another player in contention for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award is Bayern Munich’s world-class winger Michael Olise, who scored 15 goals and registered 19 assists in the Bundesliga this term.

A more surprising name with seven MotM awards to his name is the former Arsenal player Nicolas Pepe who, aged 31, is currently shining with Villarreal in Spain.

Seven MOTM Awards (Top 5 leagues, 2025-26)

Player

Club

Goals

Assists

Rating

8.

Michael Olise

Bayern Munich

15

19

7.84

9.

Bruno Fernandes

Man Utd

9

21

7.49

10.

Luka Vuskovic

Hamburg

6

0

7.33

11.

Nicolas Pepe

Villarreal

8

8

7.12

12.

Toni Martinez

Alaves

14

3

7.09

Eight Man of the Match Awards

Kylian Mbappe

Two players won eight MotM awards this season: Real Madrid’s world-class forward Kylian Mbappe and RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande, who will be worth keeping a close eye on during the 2026 World Cup.

Mbappe, meanwhile, is the world’s best footballer, in the eyes of many. While Real Madrid ended the season without a major trophy, the French superstar still managed to finish the season as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals.

Eight MOTM Awards (Top 5 leagues, 2025-26)

Player

Club

Goals

Assists

Rating

6.

Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid

25

5

7.70

7.

Yan Diomande

RB Leipzig

12

8

7.47

11 Man of the Match Awards

Harry Kane

Four players picked up 11 Man of the Match awards, including Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (27 Premier League goals) and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane (36 Bundesliga goals).

Inter’s Federico Dimarco finished on the same number of MotM awards after scoring seven goals and registering a further 17 assists in Serie A.

And so did Como’s Nico Paz (12 goals, six assists), who has been named in Argentina’s 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup.

11 MOTM Awards (Top 5 leagues, 2025-26)

Player

Club

Goals

Assists

Rating

2.

Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

36

5

8.14

3.

Nico Paz

Como

12

6

7.56

4.

Erling Haaland

Man City

27

8

7.53

5.

Federico Dimarco

Inter

7

17

7.48

12 Man of the Match Awards

Lamine Yamal

But sitting on top of the list with an incredible 12 MotM awards is the brilliant Lamine Yamal. Barcelona’s world-class winger is still only 18 years old but has make senior football look simple since breaking through a couple of years ago.

The Spain international suffered an injury before the end of the season but still ended up with 16 goals and 11 assists as Barca secured their second La Liga title. It’s scary to think how good he might be in a few years’ time.

12 MOTM Awards (Top 5 leagues, 2025-26)

Player

Club

Goals

Assists

Rating

1.

Lamine Yamal

Barcelona

16

11

8.23

All eyes will be on Lamine Yamal and co. when the 2026 World Cup begins on June 11.

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