Spain goalie Unai Simon refuses to have social media as he keeps off-field life extremely private

Unai Simon could become a Spanish hero on Sunday after already setting World Cup records, but his personal life remains cryptic as he purposely avoids social media

Unai Simon has no social media profile and keeps his friendship circle close(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto)

Spain national team goalkeeper Unai Simon is less well known than his teammates, as the Athletic Bilbao star doesn’t have social media and keeps his personal life private.

Simon has been central to two World Cup records this summer, recording the most shutouts in a single tournament and setting a new record for minutes without conceding. Simon could become a World Cup champion on Sunday, when Spain faces Argentina at New York/New Jersey Stadium.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has confidently claimed that they are the best soccer nation in the world, and he sees Simon as a key player, picking the goalkeeper ahead of Arsenal shot stopper David Raya. Although billions will be watching the World Cup final, Simon will continue to avoid the noise.

Simon, 29, has admitted to being a shy individual who prefers to keep his circle close. As a result, he keeps his cards close to his chest and his private life away from the media.

“I am shy around people I don’t feel comfortable with,” Simon told La Vanguardia two years ago. “But if you ask my friends or people from my town, Murguía, they will tell you that I am quite outgoing and open.

“However, with people I don’t know, I find it a bit more difficult to open up. I try not to stand out and prefer to stay on the sidelines.”

Spain could complete one of the most defensively dominant World Cup campaigns ever(Image: 2026 FIFA)

As Simon isn’t comfortable opening up to those he doesn’t know, he has opted not to have social media. Soccer players often speak about the toxicity of social media, but Simon is removed from that world.

“When I started in this [career], up to the B team and the first year at Athletic, I did have social media, like all kids,” he said. “The thing is, I used to read too much about what they were saying about me, and whether it was positive or negative, it affected me a lot.

“Because then I thought I was very bad when I read the bad stuff or very good if I read the good stuff. So I told myself that I had to force myself to make an effort and quit. And I did.”

Spain has conceded one goal at the World Cup, with all games ending in 90 minutes(Image: 2026 Liza Rosales/ISI Photos)

Another reason for Simon’s privacy is his parents: his father serves in Spain’s Civil Guard, and his mother is a Basque Police officer. Simon admitted that their professions can lead to backlash.

“My education and way of being has never been linked to my parents’ profession, they are two different things,” Simon said. “They have raised me like any kid in town whose parents had other professions.

“They have never instilled in me to pursue their line of work, but rather to follow certain values, the same ones I later learned at Athletic. What I can say is that my parents are the most influential people in shaping who I am, and I am proud of it.

“I don’t like to talk much about my personal life. When things like my parents’ profession come to light, it doesn’t sit well with me because they can be misinterpreted. But we take it completely in stride, as they are just jobs like any other.”