Whistles from the crowd: scandal at the Ballon d’Or gala about world goalkeeper Martinez

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Last night the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Nine prizes were awarded. The awards ceremony was moderated by journalist Sandy Heribert (39) and ex-footballer Didier Drogba (45).

For a long time, everything goes according to script. At least until Emiliano Martinez (31) steps onto the podium and receives the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world. As he was about to give his acceptance speech, several boos and whistles from French fans could be heard from the guest rows.

Ex-football player calms down the fans

Irritation spreads through the room for a short time. But fortunately Drogba quickly keeps an overview and asks the troublemakers for respect. The situation calms down again.

The incident does not come as a complete surprise. With his miraculous saves in the World Cup final against France, Martinez was largely responsible for Argentina winning the World Cup for the third time. He also made the French even angrier with a provocative gesture during the subsequent awards ceremony.

The other acclaimed players are spared any nuance. The Spanish world champion and three-time winner with FC Barcelona Aitana Bonmati (25) wins the infamous Ballon d’Or for the first time as the best female footballer in the world, amid thunderous applause. She says: «I am very proud to have won the Ballon d’Or. Football is a team sport, so I would like to pass this award on to my teammates and employees.”

In the men’s section, a duel between the young Norwegian star Erling Haaland (23) and the Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi (36) threatened, with the latter now having the upper hand. For TV expert Lothar Matthäus this is incomprehensible: “All last year, Haaland performed better than Messi. It is undeserved that Messi won. But that shows that a World Cup is more important than anything else.”

Messi congratulates Maradona

Messi will receive the award from David Beckham (48), co-owner of Inter Miami, where Messi has been chasing goals since this summer.

Despite his introverted nature, Messi is extremely talkative on stage. “It’s nice to be here again and enjoy this moment.” The eighth Ballon d’Or is also something special, he says.

Finally, he uses the podium to congratulate his late compatriot Diego Maradona (1960-2020), whose birthday would have been October 30: “There is no better place to wish him a happy birthday, around here of many people who love football the way he would have wanted it.” (Gentlemen)

Source : Blick