MADRID, Sept 5 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Bilbao's Spain international goalkeeper Unai Simon says he is proud to have been nominated as the best goalkeeper in the world without playing for a club such as Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Simon is one of the candidates for the Yashin Award, alongside other goalkeepers such as Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Yann Sommer (Inter Milan) and Portugal national team stopper Diogo Costa.

Speaking to the Athletic website, Simon expressed his pride at a nomination that comes after helping Spain to the Euro 2024 this summer, as well as winning La Liga's Zamora trophy for the best goalkeeping record in Spain for the 2023-24 season, in which Athletic also won the Copa del Rey.

"This is the way we have to continue in order to achieve things that are even bigger than what we have done already - which is already a lot," commented Simon.

The goalkeeper also expressed his satisfaction at being nominated while spending all of his career at Athletic.

"I would love to be the best keeper in the world, playing for Athletic. I think it is ambitious and even a bit mad, but there's nothing to lose by trying."

"I think it's marvelous for all of us who support this club and for this big family that unites us all behind the club colors," he added.

Simon spent the second half of last season and Euro 2024 playing with a wrist ligament injury, for which he required an operation as soon as the Euros were over, and which could now keep him out of action until Christmas.

Meanwhile, Athletic's Spain international winger Nico Williams has been nominated among the candidates for the Ballon d'Or award. Enditem

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