Real Madrid News
Confirmed: Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois nominated for the 2026 Goalkeeper of the Year
The 2025/26 season was an underwhelming one for Real Madrid as they failed to win any major trophy.
But there were a number of players who stood out with their individual performances throughout the campaign, one of whom happens to be goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Goalkeeper of the Year nominee
Following another fine season with Los Blancos, Courtois has now been nominated for the 2026 Goalkeeper of the Year award, also known as the Yachine Trophy, at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
This is the fourth time that the Belgian international has been nominated for the award in his career, having previously won it back in 2022.
Nominated for the 2026 Men's Goalkeeper of the Year ⬇️
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
🇲🇦 Yassine Bounou
🇧🇪 Thibaut Courtois
🇪🇸 Joan García
🇨🇭 Gregor Kobel
🇦🇷 Emiliano Martínez
🇸🇳 Édouard Mendy
🇪🇸 David Raya
🇷🇺 Matvey Safonov
🇪🇸 Unai Simón
🇨🇻 Vozinha#ballondor pic.twitter.com/kwUl3QKX3f
Courtois managed to keep a total of 17 clean sheets for Real Madrid from 45 appearances across all competitions, holding his own behind what was a far from consistent and injury-riddled backline.
The veteran goalkeeper was also a regular for the Belgian national team at the World Cup, where they made it as far as the quarter-finals.
As such, he finds himself in the running to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second time in his career.
Courtois, though, will face some intense competition from Joan Garcia, Gregor Kobel, Emiliano Martinez, David Raya, Yassine Bounou, Vozinha, Edouard Mendy, Unai Simon, and Matvey Safonov.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
