Ballon d'Or: Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to have won the trophy | OneFootball

Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d'Or trophy

Lev Yachinefr/@gw2ru

Throughout the history of the Ballon d'Or, goalkeepers have rarely found themselves on the podium. In fact, only one shot-stopper has managed to lift the coveted trophy: Lev Yashin in 1963.

After finishing fifth in 1960 and fourth in 1961, the legendary Soviet goalkeeper became the first—and still only—keeper to claim football’s ultimate individual honor in 1963. No other goalkeeper has managed to replicate this remarkable feat since.

Lev Yashin clinched the award after a season in which he helped Dynamo Moscow to the Russian league title, conceding just 6 goals in 27 matches. He also secured Russia's qualification for Euro 1964.

Other goalkeepers have come close but never managed to cross the finish line—Dino Zoff, who finished runner-up for the 1973 Ballon d'Or behind Johan Cruyff; Ivo Viktor, third in 1976; Oliver Kahn, third in both 2001 and 2002; Gianluigi Buffon, second behind Fabio Cannavaro in 2006; and Manuel Neuer, third behind Cristiano and Messi in 2014.

France Football has since established the Yashin Trophy to honor the best goalkeeper of the year, giving keepers a chance to step into the spotlight.

This year, the favorite for the Yashin Trophy is Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had a sensational season with PSG before recently transferring to Manchester City. Notably, he is the only goalkeeper among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or.