After a game, there are times when the competition management awards the most valuable player (MOM) to a player who doesn't understand it.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Jan Zommer was selected as MOM even after allowing three runs in the second leg of the 2024-2025 European Champions League (UCL) semifinals against Barcelona at San Siro in Milan, Italy, on the 7th (Korea time). It was because he supported the team's advance to the finals with seven decisive saves several times. Inter Milan, which also allowed three runs in the first away game and drew 3-3, won the second game 4-3, reaching the final with a combined 7-6. The first leg of the semi - finals MOM was inter Milan wingback Denzel Doompris, who scored two goals.
Zommer smiled broadly with his team's advance to the finals, holding the MOM trophy with joy. However, some players couldn't laugh even when riding MOM. Among the examples of 'uncommon MOM awards' introduced by the British daily 'Guardian' is the German duo. Kai Havertz (Arnall) scored multiple goals to lead the team to a 4-2 victory against Costa Rica at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where he represented Germany, but eventually won the trophy with a gloomy look on his face as the team was eliminated from the group stage. German women's team ace Alexandra Pope (Wolfsburg) also drew attention with the same expression as Havertz at the 2023 Women's World Cup. 'Guardian' described 'The two players looked as if they were eating the camera.
Belgian genius midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was selected as the best player against Canada, which won 1-0 at the Qatar World Cup. It won the most votes in online fan voting. But De Bruyne "I don't think I played well. I don't know why I won the trophy. Maybe it's because of the name..." he didn't hide his bewilderment.
'Maestro'Zinedine Zidane was voted MOM against Denmark in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, losing 0–2. Zidane, who entered the tournament with an injury, was hardly the worst performer, but 'Sofascore's World Cup Performance Archive player rating was tied for 11th overall.
Brazilian superstar Rivaldo scored one goal and one assist to lead Brazil to a 2-1 victory over Turkey at the same tournament. It was naturally selected as MOM. However, on that day, Rivaldo is remembered for his ridiculous play that sent off the opposing team's player Hakan Unsal in extra time rather than 'Crazy Performance'. 'Guardian' appears to have 'presumably MOM winners determined prior to additional time'. No one thought of changing the decision, or renaming it to the 'Foul Play Awards' he wrote.
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In addition, Czech striker Pavel Nedvedt received a MOM after losing 0-1 to the Netherlands at Euro 2020, and in the same tournament, Francesco Totti of Italy was named the man of the match in a 1-2 loss to France. Croatian midfielder Luka Modric watched with a bitter look as his team allowed an equalizer to draw 1-1 on the bench after scoring the first goal against Italy in the Euro 2024 group stage. Modric received the MOM Trophy with a sad look on his face in a game where his team fell into an all-time slump and was virtually eliminated.
Mainly goalkeepers such as Gianluigi Buffon, Tim Howard, Guillermo Ochoa, Keylor Navas and Kasper Schmeichel won MOM as the losing team's gatekeeper at major tournaments. England striker Ollie Watkins was voted MOM after playing just nine minutes as a second-half substitute in the semi-final against the Netherlands in Euro 2024. He played nine minutes and scored a dramatic winning goal.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
