Why Messi Player of Match Award Different from Dembele?
Trophy for Player of Match Lionel Messi hold not same as award Ousmane Dembele get at World Cup 2026.
Difference in sponsor logo. In 3-0 win against Algeria and 2-0 against Austria, Messi get Player of Match award from beer brand. This official sponsor of award at World Cup 2026. Background screen for photo also have US beer brand logo.
After hat-trick help France beat Norway 4-1, Dembele hold different version. Trophy no beer logo, only text "Player of the Match" and official World Cup logo. Ad board behind France player also change to background without beer brand.
Dembele receive Player of Match award in France 4-1 Norway win, final match Group I World Cup 2026 at Foxborough, Boston, US on June 26, 2026. Photo:AFP
Dembele not only case. Players like Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Mohamed Salah, Arda Guler, Achraf Hakimi, or Ismael Saibari also get award version without alcohol logo.
Reason from new FIFA policy to respect religious belief and cultural difference of World Cup players.
FIFA spokesperson confirm to SPORTbible, organizers prepare award version and background without brand if player request. Policy also apply to players under legal drinking age in host country.
Move mainly target Muslim players, because use or promo of alcohol not fit religious belief of many. However, FIFA not default all Muslim players get this version. Spokesperson say, unbranded trophy only use "at player request".
Messi receive Player of Match award in Argentina 2-0 Austria win at World Cup 2026 at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US on June 22, 2026. Photo:screenshot
Not first time beer sponsor cause debate at World Cup. At World Cup 2018 in Russia, goalie Mohamed El-Shenawy refuse Player of Match award because link to alcohol sponsor. Event cause debate on balance between commercial right and player religion. After eight years, FIFA seem find compromise.
Dembele third player score hat-trick at World Cup 2026, after Lionel Messi (Argentina 3-0 Algeria) and Jonathan David (Canada 6-0 Qatar). Dembele score 57th hat-trick in tournament history, first player score three or more in first half since 1994.
Dembele opening goal
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Dembele unhappy despite hat-trick against Norway
Despite three goals helping France beat Norway 4-1 to top World Cup 2026 Group I, Ousmane Dembele feels play against Senegal more convincing. 32
France crush Norway via great Dembele hat-trick
Reigning Ballon d'Or Ousmane Dembele scores hat-trick in first half, helping France beat Norway 4-1 and reach World Cup 2026 round of 32 as Group I winner. 108
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Before opening match against Senegal, reigning Ballon d'Or Ousmane Dembele talks Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and France and Spain teams. 129