The Ballon d&aposOr ceremony was held in Paris on Tuesday night with Lionel Messi beating out competition from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe to claim the reward for a record eighth time. However, the Ballon d&aposOr wasn&apost the only prize given out that night.
Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati claimed the Ballon d&aposOr Feminin, Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player of the year award and, in a controversial decision, Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez won the Yashin Trophy. Martinez edged past the treble-winning Ederson to claim the trophy with his exploits in the World Cup earning him the award.
Alongside Messi, Martinez was crucial in helping Argentina lift the World Cup for the third time in the nation&aposs history in Qatar last year. The thrilling final against France went to a dramatic penalty shoot-out and Martinez&aposs save from Kingsley Coman set Argentina up for victory.
However, Martinez has also made a habit of taunting his opponents in a bid to distract them and that sort of behaviour isn&apost liked by everybody. As a result, when the goalkeeper headed to the stage to collect his accolade, he was booed and jeered by some members of the audience.
United&aposs Martinez was also a member of the Argentina squad and he has moved to condemn the treatment of his teammate. Without a doubt it should have been respected: whoever the player is, the centre-back told TyC Sport.
