Unai Simón’s extraordinary week reached its climax at San Mamés, where the Athletic Club goalkeeper produced a decisive performance in the 197th Basque derby and helped his side defeat Real Sociedad 2-1.
Simón had already received standing ovations at the London Palladium and before kick-off in Bilbao after being awarded the Lev Yashin Trophy as the world’s best men’s goalkeeper. During the match, the San Mamés crowd rose again after his spectacular save to deny Carlos Soler an equaliser in the 72nd minute. The applause continued for more than a minute, despite Athletic still having to protect a one-goal lead.
The stop was one of four superb interventions by Simón as Athletic ended Real Sociedad’s run of four consecutive derby victories. Iñaki Williams opened the scoring and Álex Berenguer converted the penalty that secured the win, while Luka Sučić scored Real Sociedad’s goal.
Simón’s first-half display had already been outstanding. He saved attempts from Ander Barrenetxea, Sučić and Mikel Oyarzabal during a six-minute spell, before also dribbling past Oyarzabal under pressure. His second-half stop against Soler proved the most memorable, and Athletic coach Edin Terzić said it removed any remaining doubts about the goalkeeper’s award.
The derby came six days after Simón collected the trophy in London. A World Cup winner and a record breaker, he delivered a short acceptance speech without notes, thanking his friends, partner, parents, fellow goalkeepers, teammates and supporters. He also paid tribute to José Ángel Iribar, Athletic’s legendary goalkeeper, and to Koldo Asua, who had taught him that a person’s legacy mattered more than the trophies they won.
Simón joined Athletic at the age of 14 and is now in his ninth season with the first team. His senior career nearly took a different path: in 2018, when he was fourth choice, he went on loan to Elche. Athletic recalled him after Kepa Arrizabalaga moved to Chelsea, Iago Herrerín suffered an injury and Álex Remiro’s contract situation remained unresolved. Simón made his Athletic debut within days of returning and has since played almost 300 matches for the club.
His achievements with Athletic include the 2024 Copa del Rey triumph, although he watched the final from the bench while helping Julen Agirrezabala through the decisive shootout. That season he also won the Zamora award as La Liga’s best goalkeeper, becoming the first Athletic player to receive it since Iribar five decades earlier.
The derby also carried historical significance. On the 50th anniversary of the 1976 match in which captains Iribar and Inaxio Kortabarria carried the Ikurriña, the two former players led the teams onto the pitch again. They were joined by a guard of honour, while supporters from both clubs applauded the ceremony.
Simón was also honoured before the match by players from Athletic’s academy, who held a large shirt describing him as unique within the team. After the final whistle, he listened as the players and supporters sang Mikel Laboa’s “Txoria txori”, a song associated with freedom.
Real Sociedad players and coach recognised Simón’s influence on the result. Jon Aramburu, despite remaining frustrated by the penalty awarded against him, said the performance showed why Simón had won the goalkeeper’s trophy. Terzić called him the best goalkeeper in the world after a night in which he stood above everyone else on the pitch.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.