Brief Introduction of Unai Simon
Unai Simón Mendibil is a distinguished Spanish professional footballer who serves as a goalkeeper for the La Liga club Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team. Renowned for his exceptional shot-stopping prowess, commanding presence in the penalty area, and proficiency with the ball at his feet, Simón has solidified his status as one of the premier goalkeepers in modern football. Since his senior debut with Athletic Bilbao in 2018, he has been a cornerstone of the team, embodying the club’s philosophy of nurturing homegrown talent. His contributions have been pivotal in Spain’s international successes, including their victory at UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2023 UEFA Nations League.
Unai Simon Overview
| Full Name | Unai Simón Mendibil |
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1997 |
| Age | 28 |
| Birthplace | Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Famous For | Being the starting goalkeeper for Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team, and his key role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 victory. |
| Education | Athletic Bilbao’s Youth Academy (Lezama) |
| Marital Status | Information not publicly available |
| Spouse / Partner | Information not publicly available |
| Children | Information not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated between €2-3 million |
Early Life and Education of Unai Simon
Unai Simón Mendibil was born on June 11, 1997, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, Spain. He was raised in the nearby village of Murgia in a family with a strong connection to law enforcement; his father was a member of the Guardia Civil, and his mother served in the Ertzaintza, the Basque regional police force. Growing up in the heart of a region with a deep-seated passion for football, Simón’s interest in the sport was nurtured from a young age. His formal football education began at the local club CD Aurrerá de Vitoria. In 2011, at the age of 14, his potential was recognized by Athletic Bilbao, and he joined their prestigious youth academy, Lezama, renowned for developing top-tier Basque talent. At Lezama, he honed his goalkeeping skills, with a particular focus on the modern demands of the position, including playing the ball with his feet to contribute to the team’s build-up play.
Unai Simon Career
Early Career
Simón’s professional journey began with Athletic Bilbao’s feeder team, CD Basconia, during the 2014–15 season in the Tercera División, where he gained his first taste of senior football. His consistent performances led to a promotion to Athletic Bilbao B in June 2016, competing in the Segunda División B. He quickly established himself as the starting goalkeeper for the reserve team. In July 2018, after signing a contract extension with Athletic, he was briefly loaned to Elche CF in the Segunda División. However, this loan spell was cut short without him ever playing a match for the club. The unexpected departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic and an injury to the then-first choice keeper Iago Herrerín led to Simón’s recall to the senior squad.
Breakthrough
Unai Simón’s breakthrough moment came on August 20, 2018, when he made his La Liga debut for Athletic Bilbao in a 2–1 victory against CD Leganés. In only his third top-flight appearance, he delivered a man-of-the-match performance in a 1–1 draw against Real Madrid, making several crucial saves and announcing his arrival on the big stage. Although he initially served as a backup to the more experienced Herrerín upon his return from injury, Simón’s potential was evident. The 2019-20 season marked his definitive establishment as Athletic’s first-choice goalkeeper. His exceptional form and commanding displays earned him recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga and led to his first senior international call-up for Spain in August 2020.
Major Achievements and Success
Simón’s career is decorated with significant team and individual accolades. With Athletic Bilbao, he won the Supercopa de España in 2021 and was a crucial part of the team that lifted the Copa del Rey in the 2023–24 season. On the international stage, his success has been even more pronounced. He was a member of the Spain U19 and U21 squads that won the UEFA European Championships in 2015 and 2019, respectively. With the senior national team, he played a pivotal role in winning the 2023 UEFA Nations League, where his penalty shootout heroics against Croatia were decisive. The pinnacle of his career to date was winning the UEFA Euro 2024, where he was the starting goalkeeper for a triumphant Spanish side. Individually, he won the prestigious Zamora Trophy for the 2023-24 La Liga season, awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio.
Recent Work / Current Status
Unai Simón remains the undisputed number one goalkeeper for both Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team. In May 2024, he demonstrated his long-term commitment to his boyhood club by signing a contract extension that will keep him at Athletic until 2029, notably without a release clause. He continued his excellent form into the 2023-24 season, which culminated in him winning the Zamora Trophy and being nominated for the Yashin Trophy, an award recognizing the best performing goalkeeper in the world. Following his triumph at Euro 2024, he underwent wrist surgery, which saw him miss the initial months of the 2024-25 season. He is a highly regarded figure at his club, not just for his on-field performances but also for his character and leadership.
Unai Simon Awards and Achievements
- UEFA European Championship: 2024
- UEFA Nations League: 2022–23
- Copa del Rey: 2023–24
- Supercopa de España: 2021
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2019
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2015
- La Liga Zamora Trophy: 2023–24
- La Liga Team of the Season: 2023–24
- UEFA La Liga Revelation Team of the Year: 2019–20
- Olympic Games Silver Medal: 2020
Unai Simon Personal Life & Family
Unai Simón is known for leading a private life, with limited information available about his personal affairs. He was born to a father who was a civil guard and a mother who was a policewoman, and he has often credited his parents for their support and for instilling in him strong values. His family’s encouragement was instrumental in his pursuit of a professional football career. Outside of football, Simón is said to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as hiking in the mountains of the Basque Country, which helps keep him grounded. He is fluent in both Spanish and Euskera (the Basque language). He has also expressed a disinterest in social media, having left platforms because he found both positive and negative comments were affecting him too much.
Unai Simon Relationship Details
Information not publicly available
Unai Simon Net Worth and Income
As of recent estimates, Unai Simón’s net worth is believed to be between €2 and €3 million. His primary source of income is his professional football contract with Athletic Bilbao. Under his current deal, which runs until 2029, his annual salary is reported to be around €5 million. This is a significant increase from his previous contracts, reflecting his status as a key player for the club and one of the top goalkeepers in Europe. His contracts with Athletic Club have notably been signed without a buyout clause, a testament to his loyalty and commitment to the club.
Unai Simon Physical Appearance
- Height: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
- Weight: 88 kg (194 lbs)
- Eye Color: Information not disclosed
- Hair Color: Information not disclosed
Unai Simon Controversies
No major controversies reported. Unai Simón has maintained a professional and controversy-free public image throughout his career.
Unai Simon Social Media Presence
Unai Simón is notably absent from social media platforms. He has publicly stated that he left social media because he felt that both the praise and the criticism were having too much of an effect on him.
- Instagram – Not available
- Twitter – Not available
- YouTube – Not available
Interesting Facts about Unai Simon
- His parents both worked in law enforcement; his father in the Guardia Civil and his mother in the Ertzaintza.
- He has signed multiple contracts with Athletic Bilbao without a release clause, which is uncommon for a player of his caliber and signifies a strong loyalty to the club.
- He was recalled from a loan spell at Elche without playing a single game, due to an injury crisis at Athletic Bilbao, which unexpectedly kickstarted his first-team career.
- In a crucial Euro 2020 match against Croatia, he was involved in a bizarre own goal when he miscontrolled a long back-pass from Pedri, but he recovered to make key saves later in the game.
Unai Simon Legacy and Influence
Unai Simón is building a legacy as a quintessential Athletic Bilbao player—a “one-club man” who has risen through the ranks of the famed Lezama academy to become a world-class talent. His commitment to the club, exemplified by his release-clause-free contracts, serves as an inspiration in an era of football often dominated by transfers. For the Spanish national team, he has established himself as a reliable and decisive presence in goal, playing a vital role in a new era of success for La Roja, including their UEFA Euro 2024 and Nations League triumphs. His calm demeanor, combined with his exceptional technical abilities, makes him a role model for aspiring goalkeepers. His journey from a promising youth player to a European champion with both club and country solidifies his influence on the sport.
Final Words about Unai Simon
Unai Simón’s journey is a testament to dedication, loyalty, and the cultivation of homegrown talent. From his early days in the Basque Country to standing on the pinnacle of European football, he has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a top-tier goalkeeper and a grounded individual. His career with Athletic Bilbao is a modern rarity, showcasing a deep-seated connection to his roots and his club. As the last line of defense for both Athletic and Spain, Simón has proven his mettle in high-pressure situations, earning numerous accolades and the respect of the footballing world. His story is one of a quiet and determined professional who has let his performances on the pitch speak volumes, securing his place as one of the most important and successful goalkeepers of his generation.