Cata Coll, the FC Barcelona goalkeeper, was recognized as the best female goalkeeper of the year 2026 when she received the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or gala. The award, which was awarded for the first time last year, distinguishes the best goalkeeper in the world and Coll became the second woman to win it, after the English Hannah Hampton, who had been the first in 2025.
The 25-year-old was instrumental in her club's season, contributing to victories in the Champions League, Liga F Moeve, Queen's Cup and Spanish Super Cup. Her performance earned her the 15th position in the global ranking of the women's Ballon d'Or, surpassing the Brazilian Lorena Leite, who was ranked 28th and was also nominated for the Yashin Trophy.
In the final vote, Coll beat four other candidates: the German Ann-Katrin Berger of Gotham FC, the Japanese Ayaka Yamashita of Manchester City, the English Hannah Hampton of Chelsea and the Brazilian Lorena of Kansas City. The ranking of the five best goalkeepers was as follows: 1) Cata Coll (Barça/ESP), 2) Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham/ALE), 3) Ayaka Yamashita (M. City/JAP), 4) Hannah Hampton (Chelsea/ING) and 5) Lorena (Kansas City/BRA).
During the ceremony, Coll expressed her gratitude towards her club, president Joan Laporta, coach Xavi Puig and the Spanish team, to whom she attributed her development as a player. She also thanked her family and her teammates, pointing out that the award, although it bears her name, is a collective recognition. In response to a question from Thierry Henry, he humorously recalled that he had started his career as a midfielder, briefly comparing himself to Carles Puyol, before deciding on goalkeeping, a choice he described as the best of his life.
With this award, Cata Coll consolidates her position as one of the best goalkeepers in world women's football, while the women's Ballon d'Or continues to highlight players who make a difference in their teams and in sport in general. Next year, the Yashin Trophy will continue to be a target for goalkeepers looking to make their mark in international football.