Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma named 2025 Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy winner | OneFootball

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been named as the recipient of the Yashin Trophy for the second time in his top-level playing career, the Ballon d’Or ceremony has confirmed.

The Manchester City goalkeeper only made the move to the Etihad Stadium this summer, but his reputation as one of the world’s finest shot-stoppers has once again been recognised on football’s biggest individual stage.

Donnarumma previously collected the same prize in 2021 while at Paris Saint-Germain, and his latest triumph cements his status as a generational figure in the position off the back of a stellar year for the French champions in particular.

The Yashin Trophy, first introduced in 2019, is awarded annually to the best goalkeeper in world football, named after the legendary Soviet Union shot-stopper Lev Yashin, with past winners including Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois, and Donnarumma himself.

This latest recognition follows a year of impressive club and international displays. For Paris Saint-Germain, Donnarumma was instrumental in their UEFA Champions League-winning campaign last season before sealing a high-profile transfer to City in the summer window.

The 26-year-old played an integral role in PSG’s run to Champions League glory, keeping five clean sheets in nine knockout matches, including a Player of the Match performance in the Round of 16 second leg win against Liverpool.

Donnarumma was subsequently included the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, while he has also been Italy’s captain since the 2024 European Championships boasting 76 caps.

Now, following confirmation of the final rankings for the latest edition of the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris, Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has been named as the winner of the trophy for the second time.

In the wider rankings for the Men’s Ballon d’Or award, Donnarumma was placed in TBC position, alongside Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland – who was ranked 26th for this year’s edition.

Speaking on his latest award with ManCity.com, Donnarumma said, “It’s a great honour to win the Yashin Trophy for a second time. It’s a team game but this is a personal award that all goalkeepers want to get their hands on so I’m delighted to have been selected by the panel.

“There are a lot of brilliant goalkeepers around the world, so this is incredibly special to me. I am pleased with my performances over the last year and the trophies I have won, but I know I can still improve and that’s a major reason why I chose to move to Manchester City.

“I am now fully focused on working with Pep Guardiola and his staff to develop my game even further and helping my new team to even more success.”

For City, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s award offers further validation of their summer recruitment strategy. Having sanctioned long-term No.1 Ederson’s move to Fenerbahce, Guardiola and his staff identified the Italian as a marquee signing who could provide both world-class quality and leadership.

This individual accolade underlines why the club were willing to go to such lengths to bring him to Manchester, while supporters will now be eager to see if Gianluigi Donnarumma’s presence can elevate City in their pursuit of further silverware, particularly in Europe – where his prior experience could prove vital.

His status as Yashin Trophy winner also strengthens his claim as one of the leaders in Pep Guardiola’s evolving side, both on the pitch and within the dressing room. As for competition between the posts from James Trafford and Stefan Ortega, the challenge becomes one of patience and opportunity.

With the 26-year-old now widely considered the best in his position, chances could be limited for Manchester City’s other goalkeepers – sparking questions ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

Either way, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s second Yashin Trophy of his career confirms what many already suspected; Manchester City have secured one of the most dominant and decorated goalkeepers in world football at the very peak of his powers.