South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has earned further international recognition, being nominated for a prestigious FIFA award just months after his nomination for the Yashin Trophy at the 2024 Ballon d’Or. The Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper is now in the running for a spot in the 2024 FIFA Men’s Best XI, competing alongside ten other goalkeepers for the honor.
Williams’ standout performances for both Sundowns and Bafana Bafana have earned him global acclaim, with his recent achievements highlighting his exceptional skills between the posts. At 32, the Bafana Bafana captain’s career continues to soar, and his nomination for FIFA’s Men’s Best XI underscores his status as one of the world’s top goalkeepers.
In 2024, Williams was nominated for the Yashin Trophy—an award recognizing the best goalkeeper of the year—where he finished in ninth place, behind winner Emiliano Martinez. Following that recognition, the South African international was also nominated for the FIFA Men’s Best XI, joining a list of 11 elite goalkeepers.
This nomination is historic, as Williams is the first African goalkeeper based in Africa to be nominated for this prestigious category, though he shares the honor with another African nominee. The competition for the spot will be intense, as the award is determined by global voting.
Williams’ continued success on the international stage reflects his growing reputation and is a testament to the level of talent emerging from South Africa.
