(foto: UEFA)
Ousmane Dembele tried to avoid taking the UEFA Man of the Match award after PSG’s win over Aston Villa, believing Gianluigi Donnarumma deserved it more.
Ousmane Dembele was officially named Man of the Match in Paris Saint-Germain’s win over Aston Villa, but the French star clearly disagreed with UEFA’s decision.
After the final whistle of PSG’s qualification for the Champions League semi-finals, cameras captured a reluctant Dembele trying to avoid collecting the award. Staff eventually had to chase him down with the trophy.
Dembele’s reaction sparked attention online, with fans and pundits agreeing that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma should have taken the honours. The Italian made five crucial saves and was widely seen as the true hero of the match.
UEFA’s official explanation highlighted Dembele’s contributions: “He was a key player in PSG's dominance in the first half, dropped between the lines, worked back defensively, and remained a threat in transition. His pressing was relentless.”
Despite that, Dembele's modesty stood out. The photo of him holding the trophy with a noticeably awkward expression has since gone viral, reinforcing the belief that even he felt Donnarumma deserved the recognition.
It was another reminder of the humility and team spirit within this PSG squad as they chase the club’s first Champions League title.
Ousmane Dembélé refusing to take the POTM award after the match vs Aston Villa
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