Ronwen Williams opens up about his reaction to the news of his Yashin Trophy nomination for the upcoming 2024 Ballon d'Or awards.
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The story
On 28 October, the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris will reveal the world's best goalkeeper, giving Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams, an opportunity of a lifetime.
The Masandawana shot-stopper already has made history as the first goalkeeper based in Africa to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy.
Speaking to BBC Africa, the 32-year-old explained how he reacted to the news of his nomination after being told by a Mamelodi Sundowns media representative.
"When I got a call from the Sundowns media officer, he congratulated me and I thought, 'What are you congratulating me about because I haven't been playing, I've been out injured.' And he was like, 'Have you not seen the news?' He said, 'No, check the WhatsApp and check the Sundowns group.'
"When I looked, I just saw the Ballon d'Or photo, the Ballon d'Or page. I couldn't believe it. I got a knot in my stomach. I literally went numb, I can't recall if I dropped the phone or if I said goodbye to him, I just went numb. I still can't describe the feeling I felt that day," shared Ronwen candidly.
The former Matsatsantsa goalkeeper had a stellar 2023/24 season for both his club and national team, a campaign that saw him walk away with the DStv Premiership Player of the Season, Goalkeeper of the Season, COSAFA Goalkeeper of the Year, and the African Super League Golden Glove.
For his AFCON heroics in goal for Bafana Bafana, which included four penalty shoot-out saves in the Quarter-Finals against Cape Verde, Ronwen bagged the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade, having led South Africa to a Bronze medal in the Ivory Coast earlier this year.
"I've achieved so much in my career, but this, I don't think this will ever be replaced," added Williams about his Ballon d'Or awards nod.
"I still have so many feelings [about the nomination]. I try not to think about it because it just gets me emotional, not for myself but more that it's going to open doors for South Africans now. You know, to start thinking bigger, to start dreaming bigger as well," stated the inspiring Bafana skipper.
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Watch below:
Here's the best of Ronwen during his memorable 2023/24 season:
