Man of the match
Man of the match, or player of the match, is the award for the best player in a game. In professional football a sponsor or a panel picks it; in a weekly kickabout it's usually an argument. Here's what it means and how to make it fair.
By Squadcard. Last updated .
In short
- Man of the match is an award for the best player in a single game.
- Player of the match is the same award; many competitions now use that name.
- Professional awards are picked by broadcasters, sponsors, panels or fan votes.
- In a weekly game, a quick vote by everyone who played is the fairest way to choose.
Man of the match or player of the match?
They're the same award. "Player of the match" is the name many competitions and broadcasters use now, because it works for every team. Some groups also give a "woman of the match", or skip the name and give the "star" of the game.
Who picks it
On TV it's often the commentators or a sponsor's panel, and some competitions let fans vote on an app. In grassroots football it's usually the manager, the referee, the other team, or the parents. In a friends' game nobody's in charge, so it falls to whoever shouts first, which is why it starts arguments.
How to vote fairly in a weekly game
That's what the man of the match voting app page describes: in Squadcard everyone rates the game after the final whistle and picks a player of the match, and only the totals are ever shown.
- Everyone who played gets a vote; nobody votes for themselves.
- Votes are secret, so nobody's picking a mate to be polite.
- Close the vote the next day, so people vote when it's fresh but not in the car park.
- Ties go to whoever had the better game overall.
Award and trophy ideas
- A trophy that moves: the winner keeps it until next week. Cheap, and it gets brought back.
- The armband: player of the match is captain next week.
- A picture: a card or a Team of the Week graphic for the group chat. The Team of the Week maker makes one.
- Season totals: count the awards and crown a player of the season at the end. Ideas in end-of-season football awards.
Questions
What does man of the match mean?
The award for the best player in a single game.
What is man of the match short for?
MOTM. Player of the match, the other name for it, is shortened to POTM.
What is the difference between player of the match and man of the match?
None: they're the same award. Player of the match is the newer name many competitions use.
Who decides man of the match?
In professional football, usually a broadcaster, sponsor panel or fan vote. In a weekly game, a secret vote by everyone who played is the fairest.
What can I give as a man of the match award?
A trophy that moves week to week, the captain's armband next game, or a graphic for the group chat.