The man of the match award is pretty self explanatory. It is presented to the player who has been the most impactful on the pitch over the course of 90 minutes. The number of man of the match awards a player picks up can be a good metric to measure how effective a player is for a team.
Fans and pundits obsess over goals and assists these days but those numbers can be quite misleading at times. A player needn't have found the back of the net or set up a teammate to score a goal in order to have made the difference for his side.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the seven players who have won the most man of the match awards since 2009.
#7 Harry Kane - 79 man of the match awards (21% of games)
Harry Kane is one of the best strikers of his generation. Although his trophy cabinet is rather vacant, the English marksman's individual brilliance cannot be denied. Kane has won 79 man of the match awards in 383 matches since 2009.
He is a well-rounded centre-forward whose playmaking skills are pretty much on par with his finishing. He is the captain of the England national team and the Three Lions will hope that Kane can inspire them to a long run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
#6 Robert Lewandowski - 86 man of the match awards (17% of games)
Robert Lewandowski picked up his second successive European Golden Shoe last season after scoring 35 goals in the Bundesliga. The Poland international is arguably the finest marksman on the planet right now and is an elite finisher.
He joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich earlier this summer and got off the mark last Sunday (August 21) with a brace in Barcelona's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad. Lewandowski has picked up 86 man of the match awards since 2009.
#5 Neymar Jr. - 87 man of the match awards (28% of games)
Neymar Jr. is one of the most skillful footballers of all time. The Brazilian attacker is a joy to watch with his silky dribbling skills, link-up play and incredible vision. He is also one of the most technically gifted forwards of all time and his set-piece abilities are exemplary as well.
Neymar has been a real difference maker for both club and country throughout his career. The 30-year-old has got off to a flying start to the new season, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in just four appearances across all competitions for PSG.
He has won a whopping 87 man of the match awards since 2009.
#4 Eden Hazard – 100 man of the match awards (19% of games)
Eden Hazard was absolutely phenomenal for club and country over the last decade. His contributions have dwindled considerably over the past couple of seasons as he has struggled with injuries and fitness issues.
At the peak of his powers, Hazard was one of Europe's most complete attackers. He was strong on the ball and could run rings around defenses all day. Hazard is also a very intelligent footballer and is a force to be reckoned with in the attacking third.
The Real Madrid man has won a whopping 100 man of the match awards since 2009.
#3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 116 man of the match awards (26% of games)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a phenomenal striker. He has played for some of Europe's biggest clubs and although he has had a journeyman career of sorts, he is revered at almost every club he has played for.
Ibrahimovic won the Serie A title with AC Milan last season at the age of 40. Ibrahimovic has won 116 man of the match awards since 2009.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo – 175 man of the match awards (30% of games)
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time. The Portuguese icon is the leading scorer in men's international football with 117 goals to his name. The 37-year-old is currently at Manchester United and picked up the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award last term.
Ronaldo has won six Champions League titles in his career and is also the all-time top scorer in the competition. He has won 175 man of the match awards since 2009.
#1 Lionel Messi – 306 man of the match awards (52% of games)
Lionel Messi is a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner. The legendary Argentinian forward is arguably the greatest footballer of all time. He is almost unstoppable with the ball at his feet and is one of the most well-rounded players to have pulled on a pair of cleats.
Messi has won 306 man of the match awards in 584 appearances since 2009. He has been named the man of the match in 52% of the games he has played in that period.
3Cassian3Caesar3
902
175 matches 30% vs 306 matches 52%... How on earth is CR5 on the same level with LM7😳... We'll never know 😂
Heywhy25
565
this is Lionel Andrea Messi for you the Greatest Of All Time
GregMillberg
540
The gap is too much. The Greatest of all time... Play Maker🙌🏽
Barcalover
413
Messi on the list 😄
Podabilry
336
Ali Deli was highest goals scorer in football history before Cristiano' broke the record but you know what? Ali Deli was never mentioned among best players to prove best player award is different from highest goals scorer. Cristiano may be highest goals scorer but Messi has won more golden shoes even though cristiano has played over 150 matches than Messi. Many cristiano's fans still don't understand that Highest goals scorer is different from best player. Golden shoes is for highest goals scorer and Balloondor and fifa best are for overall total performance. Cristiano has never won any best player award in any international competition. At Nations league cristiano was highest goal scorer but Benaldo Silva was the best player and at Euro2020 cristiano was highest goal scorer but Dunarumma a keeper without single goal was the best player, it proved to you again that best player award and highest goal scorer award are different. At copa America 🇺🇸, Messi was highest goal scorer, highest assist provider, breakfast highest numbers of chances and key 🔑 passes and still won the title. Cristiano has never be able to achieve same. Messi has won many best player award, including world 🌎 cup golden ball for best player which cristiano has never come close to. Cristiano is goal machine but Messi is a far better superior goal machine, scored 91 goals and 45 assist in a single year, which cristiano's best was 68 goals. Cristiano is the best but Pele and Maradona are better while Messi is better than the best. Pele and Maradona are lucky to not have been born in same era with Messi but cristiano is so so unlucky to be born in same era with Messi.
Dixonmande
281
who else if not him
Ibrahimshickturay
230
Our first reaction when we reach to Messi’s stats😮😮😮😳
Charmingboy
187
The precious "Diamond"
ManUtdAmadDialo
185
A certain fan base trying to explain how 30%(175) is greater than 52%(306) be like👇
Dixonmande
156
306 -175=131 difference one z 2yrs older than the other this z an insane Messi stat
Mangisha
153
Ronaldo is very impressive. He deserves his spot. So I got to Ronaldo, 175, and am thinking Messi would be 200 something.. My goodness. 300 plus. 52 %. That means he is man of the match on average of every day games he has ever played since 2009. If he isn't MOTH in "this", he will be in the next. Man, those are numbers. Did Pele, Maradona ever had this kind of consistency? You wonder. Honestly speaking, the debate btn who is the greatest (at least out of the current players) doesn't exist. It's all media. They have to make stories, sell stories, and make the world (of football in this case) more interesting. The gap, and it is not just this MOTH category, is way too large. Equality is 1 = 1, 8 and 8, WC bad WC, I mean we can't say Ronaldo's 5 UCL are the same as Messi's 4 UCL, no way Ronaldo has more UCLs. 7 isn't equal to 5, 6 not equal to 4, if you knw what I mean, and 306 isn't equal to 175. You knw what I mean
caesarbruno18
149
What ronaldo's fans expect messi to do😂😂
Dixonmande
146
plz wen comparing players,,leave Messi aside ,,,,,, this guy z jst something else
Harshit1
144
• MOTM without a scoring a goal: 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi - 61 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo - 8 The greatest doesn’t need to be on the scoresheet to dominate a match.
NotAFan⚽️⚽️
120
BREAKING NEWS:The RONALDO FAMILY👪 are Experiencing TOUGH TIMEs these DAYS coz of MESSI's EXISTENCE
barcelonatill
106
If Ronaldo doesn't score a goal in a match he will never be man of d match, but if Messi doesn't score he assist or create chances, his impact must show, Messi is more than ordinary goal scorer RONALDO
3Cassian3Caesar3
23
One he played in in top 3 major leagues for the past 18 years. The other stayed in his comfort zone all his life and later went to the weakest league among the top 5 or even outside the top 5🌚. Very understandable 🤗
That's your excuse 😳Ronaldo was in la liga with Messi and only won 2 la liga...
Rohan Kapoor
15
One he played in in top 3 major leagues for the past 18 years. The other stayed in his comfort zone all his life and later went to the weakest league among the top 5 or even outside the top 5🌚. Very understandable 🤗
if staying on a team like BARCELONA for 21 years at the same LEVEL continuously is comfort zone, then I really pray to God that please give me this type of comfort 🤫 . Changing jobs and performing well for each is easy but constantly performing well for a single job for YEARS is REAL CHALLENGE💪
Mezkopruz
14
One he played in in top 3 major leagues for the past 18 years. The other stayed in his comfort zone all his life and later went to the weakest league among the top 5 or even outside the top 5🌚. Very understandable 🤗
Justification weak as ur goat😂😂😂😂.
Willykrane
12
175 matches 30% vs 306 matches 52%... How on earth is CR5 on the same level with LM7😳... We'll never know 😂
[image]
One he played in in top 3 major leagues for the past 18 years. The other stayed in his comfort zone all his life and later went to the weakest league among the top 5 or even outside the top 5🌚. Very understandable 🤗
Bopciortuz
10
Ali Deli was highest goals scorer in football history before Cristiano' broke the record but you know what? Ali Deli was never mentioned among best players to prove best player award is different from highest goals scorer. Cristiano may be highest goals scorer but Messi has won more golden shoes even though cristiano has played over 150 matches than Messi. Many cristiano's fans still don't understand that Highest goals scorer is different from best player. Golden shoes is for highest goals scorer and Balloondor and fifa best are for overall total performance. Cristiano has never won any best player award in any international competition. At Nations league cristiano was highest goal scorer but Benaldo Silva was the best player and at Euro2020 cristiano was highest goal scorer but Dunarumma a keeper without single goal was the best player, it proved to you again that best player award and highest goal scorer award are different. At copa America 🇺🇸, Messi was highest goal scorer, highest assist provider, breakfast highest numbers of chances and key 🔑 passes and still won the title. Cristiano has never be able to achieve same. Messi has won many best player award, including world 🌎 cup golden ball for best player which cristiano has never come close to. Cristiano is goal machine but Messi is a far better superior goal machine, scored 91 goals and 45 assist in a single year, which cristiano's best was 68 goals. Cristiano is the best but Pele and Maradona are better while Messi is better than the best. Pele and Maradona are lucky to not have been born in same era with Messi but cristiano is so so unlucky to be born in same era with Messi.
[image]
very well written...but i am sure some blind ronaldo fans will come up with same lame logics...lol
wopadkmps
9
One he played in in top 3 major leagues for the past 18 years. The other stayed in his comfort zone all his life and later went to the weakest league among the top 5 or even outside the top 5🌚. Very understandable 🤗
who cares a goalscorer CR5
tenbcdimpt
8
Ali Deli was highest goals scorer in football history before Cristiano' broke the record but you know what? Ali Deli was never mentioned among best players to prove best player award is different from highest goals scorer. Cristiano may be highest goals scorer but Messi has won more golden shoes even though cristiano has played over 150 matches than Messi. Many cristiano's fans still don't understand that Highest goals scorer is different from best player. Golden shoes is for highest goals scorer and Balloondor and fifa best are for overall total performance. Cristiano has never won any best player award in any international competition. At Nations league cristiano was highest goal scorer but Benaldo Silva was the best player and at Euro2020 cristiano was highest goal scorer but Dunarumma a keeper without single goal was the best player, it proved to you again that best player award and highest goal scorer award are different. At copa America 🇺🇸, Messi was highest goal scorer, highest assist provider, breakfast highest numbers of chances and key 🔑 passes and still won the title. Cristiano has never be able to achieve same. Messi has won many best player award, including world 🌎 cup golden ball for best player which cristiano has never come close to. Cristiano is goal machine but Messi is a far better superior goal machine, scored 91 goals and 45 assist in a single year, which cristiano's best was 68 goals. Cristiano is the best but Pele and Maradona are better while Messi is better than the best. Pele and Maradona are lucky to not have been born in same era with Messi but cristiano is so so unlucky to be born in same era with Messi.
[image]
and the debate ends there
petrysamic825
8
From 2009? Even b4 Ronaldo won his 1st Ballon dor 😂 what a joke
no matter what even if they check their over all man of the match the gap will be even much more bigger
Obismart
8
Please let stop this argument about Messi and Ronaldo. Messi is by far better than ronaldo. Only a blind man will compare them
3Cassian3Caesar3
8
Stop the insult, your mid*get can never dream of being on Ronaldo’s level
Another ass-wipe...