THERE was a time when players received a bottle of champagne for winning the Man of the Match awards.
Now, they are given a gleaming trophy for their efforts by the Premier League.
These bizarre MOTM awards include a Burger King crown
But those prizes pale into boring insignificance in comparison to these wacky gifts.
From a live chicken to a Burger King crown and mobile phone data, these are the strangest Man of the Match awards.
Burger King Crown
Legendary River Plate keeper Franco Armani must have felt like a king for the day after winning a MOTM award in Argentina.
But on closer inspection, it’s fast-food chain Burger King who provided the crown.
He didn’t look the slightest bit embarrassed in his post-match interview.
Curry
The Viceroy is a reputable Indian restaurant in Carlisle.
And their association with Carlisle United as a sponsor means players get a curry if they are the star man.
They even have to pose with the meal in a tray in the dressing room.
Carlisle United have a deal with the local Indian restaurant who provide a curry for MOTM
Pizza Express
At Partick Thistle, Connor Sammon seems chuffed with his Man of the Match award.
Showing off a meaty delight from Pizza Express, that’s more than enough dough to go around.
We just hope he shared it with his team-mates in the dressing room.
Connor Sammon shows off a pizza from Pizza Express
Fish
Martin Odegaard could well receive a Premier League medal this season, starring for Arsenal.
But when he was on loan at Real Sociedad, he was presented with a giant fish.
It came from a local supermarket, who sponsored the club. Imagine driving home with that in your car?
Martin Odegaard was presented with a fish by a local supermarket
Live hen
Polish giants Gornik Zabrze’s man-of-the-match award is clucking good.
They gave their best player a live hen to take home, which presumably provides breakfast the next day.
Because that’s the dream – fresh eggs every morning.
Gornik Zabrze gift their players a hen for a MOTM award
Spring Onions
Forward-thinking non-league club Lewes FC have done wonders for the women’s game – paying their female players as much as their men.
And in Brad’s Pit – a community kitchen garden they grow fruit and veg in – they came up with a novel Man of the Match award.
Back in 2022, Ayo Olukoga looked delighted to receive some freshly picked spring onions.
Spring onions from the club community garden are presented to a Lewes FC player of the match
Mobile phone data
This is, actually, a brilliant prize for someone who uses their mobile phone A LOT.
When Hlompho Kekana played for the Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, he was awarded 5GB of mobile phone data from sponsor Telkom.
As practical as it gets.
Mobile phone data is a valuable commodity in South Africa
Crash Bandicoot
We can only hope Said Benrahma is a gamer.
For a top performance in the EFL Cup, he was awarded Carabao’s custom trophy.
But, rather strangely, in his other hand he was seen clutching a copy of Crash Bandicoot 4 on the PS4.
Said Benrahma looks delighted after receiving Crash Bandicoot 4
Grill and apron
In Argentina, grilling meat is a religion.
So it was no wonder Lautaro Acosta looked delighted with his award.
After a Supercopa match in 2016, he was gifted a grill with an apron.
His team-mates would have blagged an invite for dinners later that night, surely?
Lautaro Acosta looks delighted with his grill and apron
Jaffa Cakes and crisps
Forget fancy diets, Crewe Alexandra are keeping it real with biscuits and crisps.
Zac Williams was over the moon with the Jaffa Cakes he received following a game.
Perfect with a cup of tea in the dressing after the final whistle.
Crewe Alexandra’s Zac Williams shows off his Jaffa Cakes and crisps Read More