What Is the Women’s Yashin Trophy?

If you follow women’s football, you’ve probably heard of the Yashin Trophy. It’s an award that recognises the best female goalkeeper in the world each year. Named after Soviet legend Lev Yashin, the trophy celebrates skill between the posts, from shot‑stopping to commanding the defence.

How Do They Choose the Winner?

The shortlist is created by a panel of journalists, former players and coaches who specialise in the women's game. They look at stats like clean sheets, saves per match and impact in big games. But it’s not just numbers – leadership, consistency and how a keeper handles pressure matter too. Voters then cast their ballots and the player with the most votes lifts the trophy.

Recent Winners and What Set Them Apart

In the last few years, the trophy has highlighted a range of talents. In 2023, Sarah Cox from England took it after a season full of spectacular saves for Manchester City and the national team. The following year, Alisha Michelsen of Denmark won thanks to her dominant performances at the World Cup. Both kept clean sheets in crucial knockout games and showed confidence that lifted their teammates.

What these winners share is a knack for reading the game. They anticipate crosses, organise the back line and often start attacks with quick distribution. That mix of defensive solidity and offensive contribution is what the panel rewards.

Why does the Women’s Yashin Trophy matter? For goalkeepers, it offers recognition that’s often hard to get. Keepers don’t score goals, so awards like this shine a light on their contributions. It also helps clubs and sponsors see the value of investing in top‑class goalkeeping talent. Young keepers now have a clear role model to aim for.

If you’re a fan wanting to follow the award, keep an eye on the official announcement in December. The shortlist is usually revealed in October, and you can watch the final ceremony streamed online. Social media buzz builds up as fans vote and debate who deserves it most.

In short, the Women’s Yashin Trophy is more than a shiny trophy – it’s a statement that the best women’s goalkeepers deserve the spotlight. Whether you’re watching a club match or a World Cup final, keep an eye on the keeper’s performance – they might just be the next Yashin winner.