Fans Mock Club World Cup's 'Superior Player of the Match' Tag

Fans Mock Club World Cup's 'Superior Player of the Match' Tag 

By Admin 

Fans have shown displeasure as regards FIFA decision to replace 'Man Of The Match ' with Superior Player of the Match in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup

In the opening game between Inter Miami and Al Ahly of Egypt, goalkeepers of the two teams were standout performers at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, with Al-Ahly's Mohammed El Shenawy producing a superb save to deny Messi late on. It was one of six saves made by the 36-year-old Egyptian shot-stopper.

Inter Miami's Oscar Ustari was Player of the Match, though, pulling off eight saves, including from a spot-kick to ensure David Beckham's co-owned MLS side took at least a point. Fans weren't questioning the awarding of the 38-year-old Argentine the Player of the Match, but rather the title that came with it.

Reacting, fans showed that they are not in favour of the Superior Player of The Match in replacement of Man Of The Match, they're used to.

"Games gone mate" FIFA President Gianni Infantino's move to expand the Club World Cup has already sparked considerable controversy. Fans now think there could be plenty of "nonsense and embarrassment" on the horizon following the opening match.

FIFA announced that Ustari had won the Player of the Match award, sharing the news on the competition's social media account. They wrote on X:

"Congratulations to (Oscar Ustari) for winning the first ever #SuperiorPlayeroftheMatch at the (FIFA Club World Cup) #MichelobULTRA #SuperiorIsWorthPlayingFor."

The Player of the Match award has already been changed from 'Man of the Match' in recent years for diversity reasons. It has been renamed to 'Superior Player of the Match' for the Club World Cup due to a sponsorship agreement with American beer brand Michelob ULTRA.

A similar sponsorship was in place during the Copa America last year, where Messi's Argentina prevailed, but the "superior" label was the subject of plenty of criticism from fans.

One fan asked: "What on earth is a ‘superior player of the match'?"

Another fan wrote: "Games gone mate."

One fan sees the competition going off the rails: "I can imagine this while the tournament is going to be full of nonsense and embarrassment."

Another echoed those sentiments: "Utter woke nonsense.”

While one wrote: "Everything about America is just different."

Fans may have been even more infuriated during the 2022 FIFA World Cup because the award was called the 'Budweiser Player of the Match' award. Messi had no problem sweeping up during that tournament, winning it in every knockout game before becoming world champion.