Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or
Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or, it isn’t just another personal accolade. It is a confirmation of his status as one of the most dominant shot-stoppers in world football today. The Paris Saint-Germain and Italy international, who has already collected honors at both club and international level, adds yet another prestigious trophy to his growing legacy.
This blog will dive deep into:
- Why Donnarumma won the award
- His exceptional performances for PSG and Italy
- The historical context of the Best Goalkeeper Award
- Reactions from teammates, coaches, and pundits
- Comparisons with past winners
- Statistical breakdown of his season
- What this means for his future at PSG and beyond
With the focus keyword “Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or” appearing naturally, this article is designed to inform, engage, and rank well in search results. 
Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or
A Historic Achievement for Donnarumma
When the Ballon d’Or ceremony announced that Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or, the football world nodded in agreement. For years, Donnarumma has been one of the most reliable and dominant presences in front of goal. At just 26 years old, he has already accumulated experience that rivals legendary keepers: over 300 senior club matches and more than 60 caps for the Italian national team.
This award, officially known as the Yashin Trophy in honor of the legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, recognizes the best performing goalkeeper in the world each year. Previous winners include Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois, and Donnarumma himself back in 2021.
By securing this award again, Donnarumma joins an elite group of goalkeepers who have repeatedly proven themselves at the highest level.
Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or
Why Gigio Donnarumma Deserved the Award
The Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or isn’t simply handed out based on reputation. It takes into account an entire year of consistent performances, match-winning saves, leadership in critical moments, and ability to dominate in the most competitive environments.
Key Reasons:
- PSG Consistency
- Week after week in Ligue 1, Donnarumma kept Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table with spectacular saves.
- He registered multiple clean sheets and maintained one of the highest save percentages across Europe’s top five leagues.
- Champions League Impact
- In Europe’s toughest competition, Donnarumma stood tall against world-class attackers. His penalty saves and reflex stops were crucial in PSG’s deep run.
- Leadership for Italy
- For the Azzurri, Donnarumma remains the undisputed No.1. His calm presence has stabilized Italy’s defense and given confidence to a younger generation of defenders.
- Shot-Stopping Excellence
- From point-blank saves to long-range stunners, Donnarumma’s reflexes are unmatched. His physical presence and wingspan make him a nightmare for strikers.
Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or
Donnarumma’s Journey: From Milan Prodigy to PSG Icon
To fully appreciate the moment when Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or, we need to look back at his career journey.
- AC Milan Beginnings
At just 16 years old, Donnarumma made his professional debut for AC Milan. His composure stunned the world, and he quickly became Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper. - Rise to International Stardom
By Euro 2020, he had established himself as Italy’s No.1. His penalty heroics in the final against England crowned him Player of the Tournament, a rare feat for a goalkeeper. - Paris Saint-Germain Move
In 2021, Donnarumma made the high-profile switch to PSG. Despite initial competition with Keylor Navas, he cemented his place as the starter. His performances in Ligue 1 and Champions League justified the move and silenced critics.
Now, with the Best Goalkeeper Award, Donnarumma’s career is being written into football history books.
The Yashin Trophy: A Legacy Award
The award Donnarumma claimed is officially the Yashin Trophy, introduced in 2019 by France Football. Named after Lev Yashin — the only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d’Or — this trophy celebrates the world’s best shot-stopper each year.
Past Winners:
- 2019: Alisson Becker (Liverpool/Brazil)
- 2021: Gigio Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
- 2022: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)
- 2023: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)
Now, in 2025, Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or once again, further adding to the prestige of this relatively new but highly respected honor.
Reactions: Coaches, Teammates, and Legends
The football world reacted with admiration when Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or.
- Luis Enrique (PSG Coach): Praised Donnarumma’s consistency, calling him “a fortress at the back who gives confidence to the whole team.”
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG teammate): Celebrated his keeper’s award on social media, saying “The best in the world, deserved.”
- Italian Federation: Issued an official statement congratulating their No.1, highlighting how he represents the pride of Italian goalkeeping tradition.
Former goalkeeping legends also applauded Donnarumma. Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s most capped player, said:
“Donnarumma has carried the torch of Italian goalkeeping excellence. This award is recognition of his hard work and natural ability.”
Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or
Comparing Donnarumma to Past Winners
So how does Donnarumma stack up against other winners of the Yashin Trophy?
- Alisson Becker (2019): Excelled with Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League success.
- Thibaut Courtois (2022): Heroics in Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph.
- Emiliano Martínez (2023): World Cup-winning saves with Argentina.
Donnarumma, by contrast, has shown both club and international dominance over multiple seasons. His consistency, combined with trophy success and longevity, places him among the very best.
Gigio Donnarumma Wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or
The Stats: Donnarumma by the Numbers
Statistics support the narrative that Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or for good reason.
- Save Percentage (2024/25 season so far): ~78%
- Clean Sheets in Ligue 1 (2023/24): 17
- Champions League Saves (2023/24): 47 (top 5 among goalkeepers)
- Penalty Saves: Multiple decisive stops in Ligue 1 and UCL knockout stages
- International Caps: Over 60 appearances for Italy
These numbers prove that Donnarumma is not only consistent but also elite when it matters most.
The Mentality of a Champion
Beyond physical ability, what separates Donnarumma is his mentality. Standing at 1.96m, his imposing figure intimidates strikers. But it’s his calm under pressure that sets him apart.
Whether it’s a last-minute penalty or a Champions League knockout tie, Donnarumma never shows fear. That mental strength is one of the biggest reasons why Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or once again.
What This Means for PSG
For Paris Saint-Germain, this award is a massive boost. PSG have long been criticized for lacking defensive stability in big European matches. With Donnarumma proving himself as the world’s best goalkeeper, the French giants can now build their Champions League ambitions on a solid foundation.
Mbappé, Neymar (before leaving), and Messi (during his spell at PSG) dominated headlines, but it’s Donnarumma who now embodies PSG’s reliability. His award shows the world that PSG is not only about attackers but also about having the best shot-stopper alive.
What This Means for Italy
For the Italian national team, Donnarumma remains the cornerstone. Italy, known for legendary keepers like Dino Zoff and Gianluigi Buffon, now have another great in Gigio Donnarumma.
This award strengthens his legacy as Buffon’s true successor. Italy will rely on him for Euro 2028 and the 2026 World Cup campaigns. If Italy achieves success, Donnarumma will undoubtedly be at the heart of it.
Future Prospects: Could Donnarumma Win the Ballon d’Or Itself?
Goalkeepers rarely win the Ballon d’Or. Lev Yashin remains the only one to have done so, back in 1963. But if anyone can break that trend in modern football, it’s Donnarumma.
If PSG were to win the Champions League and Italy perform strongly at international level, Donnarumma could emerge as a candidate. While attackers usually dominate the award, his combination of leadership, consistency, and big saves could make history.
Final Thoughts
🚨🏅 Gigio Donnarumma wins Best Goalkeeper Award at the Ballon d’Or — and with it, cements his reputation as the finest goalkeeper of his generation. At 26, he has years ahead of him, meaning this may not be the last time he lifts the Yashin Trophy.
His journey from AC Milan prodigy to PSG superstar and Italy’s undisputed No.1 has been extraordinary. Now, with another award in his cabinet, Donnarumma is officially recognized as the best in the world.
The fortress of Paris, the pride of Italy, and the nightmare of strikers everywhere — Gigio Donnarumma’s story is only getting bigger.
Follow Us :
