Football's funniest Man of the Match awards

Football is a game of skill, passion, and incredible talent. And at the end of every match, there's a special recognition for the standout player - the Man of the Match award. But while most sports awards tend to be quite predictable, football has had its fair share of hilarious and downright bizarre Man of the Match prizes. From the wonderfully weird to the hilariously wacky, iLOTBET presents some of the funniest and most unusual things ever given to players as the coveted Man of the Match award.

A Live Chicken

South African footballer Gift Motupa had a feathered surprise when he received a live chicken as his Man of the Match award. He later admitted that he found the bird's taste to be quite man-the-match-worthy during dinner.

A Bag of Spuds

In the heart of Ireland, Wicklow's hurler Daniel Staunton had the honor of receiving not a trophy, but a prized bag of potatoes. A tribute to his stellar performance, it’s safe to say he’s officially the spud-tacular star of the day.

A Box of Spring Onions

Lewes FC in England’s sixth tier opted for something fresher – a box of spring onions freshly plucked from the community garden. Because what better way to celebrate victory than with a salad, right?

A Burger King Crown

In Argentina, River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani was crowned king not on the field, but at Burger King. Who needs a trophy when you can have a Whopper and fries with that?

A Curry

Carlisle United, not to be outdone, have a spicy tradition of providing their Man of the Match with a delicious curry from a local Indian restaurant. The hotter the performance, the spicier the curry, perhaps?

A Pizza

Sunderland footballer Connor Sammon didn't just score goals; he also scored a pizza from Pizza Express as a Man of the Match award in 2019. Talk about the perfect post-match snack!

A Fish

Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard made a splash in Spain while playing for Real Sociedad in 2019 when he received a large fish as his accolade. Odegaard was presented with the fish at a supermarket in Donostia, Spain. The fish was so large that it had to be carried by two people. Whether it was grilled, fried, or just enjoyed as a company, the fishy affair was a memorable one.

Mobile Phone Data

In South Africa, where mobile phone data is a precious commodity, it's not uncommon for players to be rewarded with data for their exceptional performances. You've got to stay connected, after all.

A Crash Bandicoot Video Game

West Ham footballer Said Benrahma hit a gaming high when he was presented with a copy of the Crash Bandicoot 4 video game as a Man of the Match award in 2021. Scoring goals on the pitch and in the digital world—impressive!

A Hen

Polish footballer Lukasz Podolski took home more than just memories when he received a live hen as a Man of the Match award. He later revealed that he passed it on to his father, who happens to raise chickens. An egg-cellent choice, Lukasz!

A Case of Beer

In Zimbabwe, footballer Khama Billiat celebrated his Man of the Match performance with a case of beer, which he graciously shared with his teammates. Team spirit and a toast to success, what more could you ask for?

These are just a few examples of the many funny and bizarre Man of the Match awards that have been given out over the years. While some people may find these awards disrespectful to the players, iLOTBET thinks they're a bit of fun and a reminder that football is a game that should be enjoyed by everyone. That's why iLOTBET offers a 50% reward on your deposit and 50% cashback on your first bet. Click HERE to sign up for the reward.