Berlin, Feb. 9, (STATS Perform/dpa/GNA) - World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez faces competition from Thibaut Courtois and Yassine Bounou to land The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Award.
Five goalkeepers were originally nominated for the award, which recognizes the most outstanding goalkeeping performance in men’s football during the period between August 8, 2021 and December 18, 2022, when Martinez helped Argentina win the World Cup for a third time.
Brazil’s Premier League duo Alisson and Ederson missed out on the final shortlist following a vote held among the coaches and captains of international teams, as well as journalists and fans.
Martinez’s immense contribution to Argentina’s World Cup final win against France put him among the frontrunners for the prize, which will be handed out at a FIFA award ceremony in Paris later this month.
The 30-year-old made a crucial save to deny Randal Kolo Muani an extra-time winner in an epic 3-3 draw, before keeping Kingsley Coman’s spot-kick out as Argentina won a penalty shoot-out.
Bounou also impressed in Qatar, helping Morocco become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals and matching Martinez’s tournament-high tally of three clean sheets.
Courtois, meanwhile, made his biggest impact in the club game, helping Real Madrid win a Champions League and La Liga double last term.
The Belgium international made nine saves in the final as Madrid saw off Liverpool 1-0 in Paris.
GNA