Unai Simón: I Had to Make Far Fewer Saves Than Other Goalkeepers

Spain's national team goalkeeper, Unai Simón, admitted he didn't have to make as many saves as other goalkeepers during the 2026 World Cup.

The national team's 1-0 victory over Argentina marked a record seventh clean sheet for them in the World Cup. The Spaniards conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, and in the final, Argentina managed only two shots on target.

Spain's 2010 championship squad conceded just two goals. Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper for the country's first world champions, watched from MetLife Stadium, seated with his 2010 teammates Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol, and Sergio Ramos.

Simón earned the 'Golden Glove' as the tournament's best goalkeeper, despite needing to make only 14 saves. Argentina's Emiliano Martínez had to make almost as many in Sunday's final alone, finishing with a remarkable 11.

"If all the gloves I've used throughout the tournament could talk, I think what they would ultimately tell you is that they didn't have to work as hard as other goalkeepers," Simón stated.

"I believe that's thanks to all my teammates, enabling us to achieve all these victories," he added.

"We are still processing everything. When the referee blew the final whistle, I didn't feel any euphoria – it was just: 'We did it, we did it.' When we arrive in Spain, then we will truly understand what we've accomplished. We've been waiting for this for 16 years. I tell people – enjoy it and appreciate it. Nothing compares to the World Cup," Simón was quoted by "Mundo Deportivo."