In a development that will surprise absolutely no one who has ever watched football, Unai Simón has had a week. The Athletic Club goalkeeper was named the best men's goalkeeper on the planet, collected the Lev Yashin trophy at the London Palladium on Monday night, and then, because apparently one standing ovation wasn't enough, got two more before and during the 197th Basque derby at San Mamés in Bilbao on Sunday.

But the real moment came in the 72nd minute. Athletic led Real Sociedad 2-1, and Carlos Soler looked certain to equalise. Simón, dressed in all black like a man attending his own myth-making ceremony, flew to his right and palmed the ball away. The stadium - known as the Cathedral, because football fans are nothing if not dramatic - erupted. Then something stranger happened. With Athletic still needing to win the derby, still needing to defend a corner, still facing a relentless Sociedad with 25 minutes to resist, the entire congregation of 50,092 people started clapping. And didn't stop. For a minute, maybe more, the match that matters most momentarily faded until it was just him and them together.

It was the third standing ovation in six days for Simón, who has apparently decided that one week is enough to become a living legend. The first came at the Palladium on Monday. The second before kick-off at San Mamés. The third, in the middle of the ferocity of the 197th Basque derby, was the one that mattered most - a cheer giving way to something deeper, an appreciation for a man as well as his work. Which means the week will be forever his. And, by extension, forever theirs too.

Athletic went on to win the derby, because of course they did. It was the culmination of six unique days for the Spain keeper, who now has a trophy, a standing ovation, and a stadium full of people who briefly forgot there was a match going on. Not bad for a week's work.