Uproar at the “Ballon d’Or” awards: whistles and boos for world champions

Emiliano Martínez won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The Argentine, who plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League, was named last year’s best goalkeeper by France Football on Monday evening.

However, not everyone agreed with the choice of the Argentine, who beat Morocco hero Yassine Bounou and Marc-André ter Stegen (5th place), among others: When he walked onto the stage, the goalkeeper received a few boos and whistles from the prominently packed crowd Room.

When, as part of his speech, one of the crucial scenes from the World Cup final against France was shown, in which Martínez was able to save his team from penalties with a save against Randal Kolo Muani, the whistles were loud again. This went so far that even the presenter, legendary striker Didier Drogba, had to interrupt the usual ceremonial process and ask the audience to remain calm and show respect.

Even before the ceremony on Monday evening, Martínez and his wife Amanda Gama were greeted in Paris with loud expressions of displeasure. The background: Martínez was crowned soccer world champion with Argentina in the final against France in December and was noticed with an obscene gesture during the award ceremony.