Former L’Equipe executive Jean-Philippe Leclerc believes there is no clear favourite to win the award for the world’s best goalkeeper, with Russia international Matvey Safonov among the 10 nominees.
“There is no clear favourite,” Leclerc said when assessing the contenders for the prize, which will be presented on 26 October.
Safonov’s chances have attracted attention after a successful season in which he collected several trophies, including the Champions League. The Russian goalkeeper conceded 28 goals in 27 appearances across all club competitions and recorded 12 clean sheets.
The award recognises the goalkeeper judged to have performed best over the year. Safonov is included on a shortlist of 10 candidates, but Leclerc does not believe one player has established a decisive advantage over the rest of the field.
His assessment suggests the final outcome remains open ahead of the ceremony. Rather than pointing to a single outstanding contender, Leclerc highlighted the lack of an obvious leader among the nominated goalkeepers.
Safonov’s statistical record forms the main basis for his claim. Across his 27 matches in club football during the previous season, he allowed 28 goals and finished 12 games without conceding. His contribution also came during a campaign in which he ended the season with a collection of major honours, including European football’s premier club trophy.
The former L’Equipe executive also considered the position of Unai Simon, who represents Athletic Bilbao. Simon was identified as the best goalkeeper at the most recent World Cup, but Leclerc noted that he did not achieve anything with his club.
That contrast is part of the discussion surrounding the award. Simon’s reputation was strengthened by his performances for his national team at the last World Cup, while Safonov’s case is supported by his achievements and record at club level during the past season.
However, Leclerc’s conclusion was that neither goalkeeper, nor any other nominee, could yet be regarded as an undisputed favourite. The award will therefore be decided from a field in which the leading candidates have different claims, with Safonov’s trophies and clean-sheet record set against Simon’s standing as the outstanding goalkeeper of the most recent World Cup.
The winner will be announced on 26 October. Until then, Safonov remains one of 10 contenders for the honour, while Leclerc’s view is that the competition is too evenly balanced for a clear front-runner to emerge.