Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was awarded the 2026 Joy Award for Best Athlete on Saturday evening in Riyadh, organizers announced.
The prize was received on Bounou’s behalf by Morocco’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mostafa Mansouri, as the goalkeeper was preparing with the national team for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final at the Morocco 2025 tournament.
The Joy Awards, now in their sixth edition, are held as part of the Riyadh Season organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The ceremony honors outstanding figures across four main categories: acting, music, sports and digital content creation.
According to organizers, the awards aim to recognize influential personalities from the Arab world and beyond who have made a positive impact in their respective fields.
Bounou, who plays for Saudi club Al Hilal, has enjoyed a standout year at both club and international level. In November, he was named the Confederation of African Football’s Best African Goalkeeper for 2025. He also finished fifth in the Yashin Trophy rankings for the world’s best goalkeeper in 2025.
The 33-year-old has been a key figure for Morocco’s national team and has delivered strong performances with Al Hilal, notably during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.
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