Unai Simón’s Ballon d’Or speech wins over public-speaking specialists

“Unai Simón reached the audience with simple, warm and honest words, and knew how to get his message across.” That is how Marca describes the goalkeeper’s speech at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, an address that made an impression on those present. His remarks also caught the attention of public-speaking specialists.

Sonia Javaga, head of training at El Trampolín, a communication and public-speaking school, explains what can make a speech memorable. In her view, Unai Simón offered more than a thank-you: he showed that grand language is not needed to connect with an audience. What matters is having something to say and knowing how to convey it.

Javaga notes the contrast between footballers’ ease on the pitch and the difficulties they can face in front of a microphone. She points to Simón’s calm, as well as the warmth and honesty of his words. Three principles taught at El Trampolín, she says, shape effective speaking: be yourself, express yourself naturally and speak from the heart. They may sound straightforward, but an audience and the pressure of the moment can make them harder to put into practice.

The specialist also believes Simón made room for the people who contributed to his success instead of putting himself at the centre of his speech. He combined thanks to specific individuals with recognition of groups, such as his circle of friends and his teammates, and explained what they meant to him. By giving those acknowledgements context, Javaga says, he turned them into genuine expressions of appreciation.

The phrase “oasis of tranquillity”, used to describe his partner, also creates an image that makes an idea more tangible and memorable. Javaga adds that his smile, measured tone and gaze moving across different parts of the audience helped create a sense of closeness. She does identify areas to refine: freeing his hands from the lectern, varying his voice more and stressing certain ideas. “But the essential thing is already there: he connects.”

Finally, Javaga sees Simón’s reflection on legacy as extending beyond his career: his words prompt people to consider the mark they want to leave. At El Trampolín, she explains, the work covers structure, voice, gestures and eye contact, helping each person communicate in a way that fits their character. In her view, Simón’s speech shows the force simple words can have when they come from sincere gratitude.