“It means a lot that the players from your quarry are nominated to be the best”

Jose Angel Iribar also offered his assessment of the nominations of Nico Williams in the Ballon d’Or and First Simon on the Lev Yasmin Trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world: “Good news for Athletic and the club. It means a lot that players who come from your own academy are nominated to be the best. Nico and First Simon They are there. It won’t be easy for them to achieve this because there are great players, but being nominated means a lot. For us it is a great joy.”

The player with the most appearances in the club’s history added that it was an endorsement of the youth team’s work. “It means a lot for the club above all and also for them. It is the certification that in Lezama they are working well, in Athletic the base is working well. We are capable of creating players of that level .It is a great joy for all the senses,” he stated.

Txopo’s opinion has more value when it comes to talking about the goalkeeper: “To First Simon It will be the culmination of a great period for all he has achieved with both club and national team. I insist that it is a great pride for all of us that both Unai and Nico are on those lists. I hope they have some luck. Let them continue on that path and if not this time, let it be other times.”