When Thibaut Courtois was the starting goalkeeper for Atlético de Madrid, Bono was wearing the gloves for Atlético de Madrid’s B team. Now, years later, the two goalkeepers are two of the stars of LaLiga Santander defending the colours of Real Madrid and Sevilla FC, respectively. And Bono’s story is particularly extraordinary.

Yassine Bounou, better known as Bono, is the goalkeeper who conceded the lowest average number of goals in LaLiga Santander last season: 24 goals conceded in 31 games played, 0.77 goals per game. So Bono became the first Moroccan to win the Zamora Trophy and also the first Sevilla FC goalkeeper to do so. Showing even better stats than Courtois himself, who was LaLiga Santander and Champions League champion, as well as being subsequently awarded the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world last season. 

As mentioned above, Bono came through the youth academy at Atlético de Madrid, leaving for a spell with Real Zaragoza to play two seasons at La Romareda. Then, in the 2016/17 season, the Moroccan departed for Girona FC, a team with which he won promotion to LaLiga Santander and with which he made his top-flight debut a season later. His good performances at Girona FC earned him a move to Sevilla FC in 2019, where he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. 

As a member of the Moroccan national team, Bono has become one of the stars of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, after being decisive in helping the Atlas Lions qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Especially for his performance against Spain, saving two penalties in the penalty shoot-out in the Round of 16. Curiosly, Morocco also crossed paths with Courtois in the group stage match against Belgium… and won 2-0. 

Tags: Bono, FIFA World Cup, Sevilla FC, Yassine Bounou