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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 More

LIVERPOOL fans were treated to a glimpse into the future as they saw their side brush aside Newcastle at St James’ Park.Bossing the game in the middle of the park was 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, a rising star and an important part of their midfield rebuild.
Liverpool have a new hero in Stefan BajceticCredit: Rex

The teenager showed delightful footwork on the half-turn, before striding up the pitch to kick-start a move for Cody Gakpo’s goal.
His brilliant display that drew comparisons with Sergio Busquets followed another commanding performance in the Merseyside derby.
Now, with Real Madrid up next, Bajcetic will get the opportunity to prove his worth against his fellow countrymen.
It is no wonder Spain are reportedly desperate to cap him at international level – to avoid losing the dual-nationality midfielder to Serbia.
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However, if Manchester United would have moved quicker – Bajcetic could have been playing for the Red Devils.
Missed opportunity
Born in Vigo, Bajcetic is the son of former Serbian footballer Srdan Bajcetic – who played for clubs including Celta Vigo and Red Star Belgrade.
Incredibly, Bajcetic Snr played alongside Brazil World Cup star Mazinho – who is better known now as Thiago Alcantara’s dad.
The son came through the ranks of Celta, where his dad enjoyed a spell between 1994-97, playing for the youth teams at centre-back.
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That is where the English clubs circled – with Man Utd and Liverpool paying the most attention.
“Some scouts from Liverpool saw him and contacted us. But Stefan was still a child, not even 16 years old. He couldn’t go anywhere,” the Bajcetic’s father told Spanish outlet El Mundo.
“At first, Liverpool told us that they couldn’t do it and then United called us, [saying] that they could. Liverpool found out and contacted us again to sign him.
“Celta does not have the financial power to [offer] professional contracts at that age. Sometimes [the young players] leave.”
Liverpool academy director Alex Inglethorpe sat down with the player and his father – managing to convince them that his future belonged at Anfield.
And he signed on the dotted line for the Reds – with a fee of just £224,000 agreed with Celta.
Srdan Bajcetic, right, played for Red Star BelgradeCredit: PA
Bajcetic has profited from Liverpool’s injury problemsCredit: Rex
Beating Brexit
However, Liverpool had a race against time to acquire Bajcetic because of Brexit.
On December 31, 2020, the UK left the EU – and that meant new laws were put in place forbidding Premier League clubs to buy U18 players from overseas.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side were able squeeze in a deal before that deadline.
But, it wasn’t the easiest settling in period for Bajcetic.
With the country in lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the boy was on his own on foreign shores.
“He was not playing…locked up,” the father said.
“I think all this made him mature before. He never said it was complicated or that he wanted to go back. Never. He was always very clear about it and he has been very professional.”
In 2021, Bajcetic signed his first professional contract with the RedsCredit: Instagram
This season, Bajcetic has come of age in Liverpool’s midfieldCredit: Rex
Boy to man
This season, Bajcetic has been blooded into Klopp’s first team line-up.
Injuries in a creaking midfield to the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara meant Liverpool were reduced to bare bones. They had no choice but to give youngsters a chance.
He came on as a sub in the 9-0 win over Bournemouth, before a late sub appearance against Ajax in the Champions League meant he became Liverpool’s youngest ever player in the history of the competition.
His first start came against Derby in the EFL Cup win over Derby, and his first goal was away at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
That sudden rise has seen German boss Klopp turn to Bajcetic more in recent weeks.
His team-mates, including Jordan Henderson have been wowed by his ability.
“I’m very impressed. He has been outstanding since he has come into the team,” Henderson told LFCTV after they beat Everton.
Jordan Henderson has praised Bajcetic’s performancesCredit: Getty
“Over the last few weeks, even though the performances haven’t been great, he has been the one that has probably stood out and performed to the levels he is capable of.
“The difference (against Everton) was everybody else stepped up, everybody else performed and when that happens good things can happen.”
Spain next
La Roja manager Luis de la Fuente is well aware of Bajcetic, who is seen as the future of the Spain national team.
According to Diario AS, the youngster called “brilliant” by Jurgen Klopp is in contention to be picked for the next international squad.
The report adds that Spain are keen not to miss out on another young starlet who is eligible to play for another country.
Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina), Nico Paz (Uruguay) and Alvaro Rodriguez (Uruguay) all chose to play for South American countries, while Bajcetic could represent Serbia – his dad’s place of birth.
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Jurgen Klopp has called Bajcetic ‘brilliant’Credit: AFP
But, Bajcetic has represented Spain’s U21 side – so that may give an indication to where his future lies.
Either way, it will be at the heartbeat in the midfield for club and country. More