In modern football, capturing loyalty from world-class talents in an era of constant transfer speculation remains one of the rarest treasures.
This year, one of the modern-day one-club men, Unai SImon, received the highest possible honour extended to goalkeepers, the Lev Yashin tophy, at the Ballon d'Or gala in London.
The Spain international has spent his entire career on the books of Athletic Club and delivered an unequivocal message regarding his future at San Mamés, assuring supporters that his heart firmly remains in Bilbao.
"As long as they want me": Unai Simon's ultimate loyalty pledge to Bilbao
Unai Simon enjoyed a brilliant 2026, particularly on the international stage, as he helped Spain to win the FIFA World Cup in the summer.
He conceded just one goal in eight games at the tournament as La Roja stormed to the title, and he received the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
During the week in London, he beat several of his colleagues to receive the 2026 Yashin Trophy, solidifying his status as the premier goalkeeper on the planet for the calendar year.
He spoke at a press conference, reiterating his commitment to Athletic Club in spite of speculation linking him with a move elsewhere.
Simon revealed that the feeling of celebrating silverware with his country was incomparable with the one he got from celebrating his boyhood club.
“As long as they want me, I'm not leaving Bilbao. In terms of celebrations after winning, the WC got nothing on the Copa Del Rey. The WC is the pinnacle a player can reach, but in terms of passion and feelings, the 5 days of celebrations after the Copa win were among the best of my life," he said (via Marca).
Walking in the footsteps of legendary club icons like Jose Angel Iribar and Andoni Zubizarreta, Simón emphasized that personal glory and individual trophies mean little compared to his lifelong commitment to the club.
Simon's comments show stance on club vs country discussion
During the candid interview, Simon reflected on the emotional scale of his achievements, drawing a surprising comparison between global international success and the raw, community-driven passion of club football.
The 29-year-old was the starter for Athletic Club as they lost back-to-back Copa del Rey finals in 2020 and 2021, but watched on in 2024 as understudy Julen Agirrezabala was in goal, and they won the title.
He acknowledged in his interview that lifting the World Cup represents the pinnacle of professional achievement, the Basque hero confessed that the five days of nonstop celebrations following Athletic Club's historic Copa del Rey triumph were among the most intensely joyful moments of his life.
For a player who grew up in a football-loving region of Spain like Simon, winning with his boyhood club mattered more than anything else.
That deep-rooted connection to the region and its supporters explains why the world's best goalkeeper has no intention of seeking a future anywhere else.
