Yassine Bounou Crowned Best Athlete at Joy Awards 2026 Ahead of AFCON Final
Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was honored with the Joy Awards 2026 for Best Athlete on Saturday evening in Riyadh. Morocco's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mustapha El Mansouri, accepted the award on Bounou's behalf, as the goalkeeper was busy preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final with the Moroccan national team.
The Joy Awards, now in their sixth edition as part of the Riyadh Season organized by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, are presented across four main categories: acting, music, sports, and content creation. These awards aim to highlight stars, legends, and inspirational figures who have made a positive impact on people's lives in various fields.
Bounou had previously won the CAF Best African Goalkeeper award for 2025 last November and also secured fifth place in the Yashin Trophy for the world's best goalkeeper in the same year. Continuing his stellar form, he has delivered exceptional performances with his club, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Yassine Bounou is set to play in the Africa Cup of Nations final today, Sunday, with the Moroccan national team against Senegal. The match will take place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, kicking off at 8:00 PM (GMT+).
