Ballon d’Or Awards: Ronwen Williams names his main rival for Yashin Trophy

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has revealed who he thinks can deny him the accolade

Ronwen Williams believes Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emilian Martinez is his main rival for the Yashin Trophy which will be awarded to the best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or Awards.

Williams made history when he became the first South African player to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Award and he is also the first player featuring in an African league to get the recognition.

The Mamelodi Sundowns custodian is up against Martinez, Diogo Costa of FC Porto and Portugal, Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain and Italy and Frenchman Mike Maignan, who plays for AC Milan.

Mamelodi Sundowns keeper identified his key rival

Other nominees are Giorgi Mamardashvili from Georgia, who recently left Valencia for Liverpool, Ukrainian Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid and Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund.

“Martinez has done amazing for his country, they won Copa America and [he] took Aston Villa to Champions League,” Williams said on SuperSport TV, while backing himself to trump his rivals.

“I am saying that I know Ronwen Williams has done amazing as well,” added Williams, who won the PSL, African Football League and a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Why does Williams think he will bag the Ballon d’Or?

“The things I won with my clubs, the achievements with Bafana Bafana speaks volumes. Here is a guy from South Africa setting the world alight and I think I did extremely well.

“It is good to be recognised with the world’s best and to be in the top 10 is an achievement on its own. I have already won, just being there, nominated in the top 10.”

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held in Paris on October 28.