Hannah Hampton named world's best goalkeeper as Lionesses and Chelsea star wins first-ever Women's Yashin Trophy

Off the back of such success, and as the only goalkeeper nominated for the Ballon d'Or Feminin, Hampton was the favourite for the Yashin Trophy when the nominees were revealed this summer and she lived up to that billing when she was honoured with the accolade in Paris during the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Chelsea's domestic treble, just their second in the women's team's illustrious history, was built on the best defensive record in England and Hampton was at the heart of such solidity, earning herself a share of the WSL's Golden Glove after keeping 13 clean sheets. She then backed that up with more fantastic performances at Euro 2025, with her penalty-saving heroics in particular catching the eye and earning her a place in the Team of the Tournament, as well as a winners' medal. As such, the Yashin Trophy is yet another individual accolade for her growing collection.

Speaking on stage on Monday, Hampton said: "I don't think it's an achievement for me; it's an achievement for women's goalkeeping, that the award is now finally taking part [in the Ballon d'Or ceremony]. I stand on the shoulders of so many great goalkeepers of the past. I'd love to thank my family, my brother who is here tonight, for all the sacrifices that you gave growing up, driving me around everywhere so I could fulfil my dream and be here tonight. To all the coaches, there's so many, and to the fans. Your support does not go unnoticed and it truly does mean a lot."

She also used the moment to pay tribute to Matt Beard, the former Liverpool manager who tragically passed away at the weekend, aged just 47. "The women's game, sadly, on Saturday night, lost a trailblazer: Matt Beard," Hampton added. "Matt was someone who cared a lot about the women's game before anyone else did. He lit up the room when everyone was in it. Not everyone should have to go through these dark moments alone. Sometimes, the brightest smiles in the room hide the heaviest pain. He'll be greatly missed.

"Finally, grandpa, I love and miss you every day," she concluded. "I hope I did you proud. We did it!"

Hampton won the award ahead of former Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who she called a team-mate before the German’s move to Gotham last April. Berger shone at the Euros as her nation reached the last four. Cata Coll, the Barcelona and Spain shot-stopper, ranked third after a treble-winning club season and a run to the Euro 2025 final, with Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations-winning star Chiamaka Nnadozie fourth and Daphne van Domselaar, who helped Arsenal win the Champions League, fifth.

It was a near-perfect year for Hampton that led to this individual accolade, with Chelsea winning every domestic trophy before England triumphed at Euro 2025. However, there was still one missing piece for the shot-stopper, in the Women's Champions League. The Blues have still never lifted the title and that is what both they and Hampton will be focused on now, with Chelsea's chances of success in the 2025-26 season certainly boosted by having the world's best goalkeeper in between the sticks.