Man of the match facts for kids

In many sports, a special award is given to the best player in a game. This award is often called the player of the match, man of the match, or player of the game. It goes to the player who stood out the most. Usually, this player is from the winning team.

These awards are very important, especially in big championship games or all-star games. In Australia, people often say "best and fairest" for this award. In North America, terms like "most valuable player" (MVP) or "most outstanding player" (MOP) are common. For example, in North American ice hockey, the top three players are called the "three stars".

Sometimes, like in basketball or baseball, teams play a series of games. In these cases, MVP awards might be given for the whole series. In the NHL, an MVP award is given for the best player in all the playoff games.

Football's Top Player

In football (also known as soccer), the "man of the match" award usually goes to a player on the winning team. Players who score three goals (a hat-trick) often win. Goalkeepers who stop all shots and don't let the other team score (a clean sheet) can also get the award. Players who score a hat-trick usually get to keep the match ball.

A TV commentator or a sponsor often chooses the man of the match. Not all competitions have an official award. So, sometimes websites or newspapers give their own awards. In the Premier League, the top player gets a small black and gold trophy.

Players enjoying a game of football.

Australian Rules Football Heroes

In Australian rules football, the best player is often called "best on ground" (or "BOG"). News companies often give unofficial awards right after the game. They might use a voting system like 5–4–3–2–1 or 3–2–1. Players might even get a Tissot watch for being "best on ground."

The official award in the AFL is given by umpires. They give three votes to the best player in the Brownlow Medal count at the end of the season. For special games like the Western Derby or The ANZAC Day clash, players get medals right after the match. In the AFL Grand Final, the best player wins the Norm Smith Medal. Experts vote for this award.

Cricket's Star Performers

In cricket, the man of the match award became common in Test matches in the mid-1980s. This award goes to the player who helped their team win the most.

In a unique match on April 3, 1996, the whole team from New Zealand won the man of the match award. This was the first time an entire team received it. In another Test match in January 1999, the whole South African team won the award against West Indies.

Jacques Kallis holds the record for the most man of the match awards in Test matches. He won 23 awards in 166 games. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Sachin Tendulkar has the most awards, with 62 in 463 matches. Sanath Jayasuriya and Ricky Ponting share the record for most awards as a captain. In T20 Internationals, Shahid Afridi holds the record with 11 awards in 99 matches.

Gaelic Games' Best Players

In Gaelic games like hurling and Gaelic football, the "man of the match" (called Laoch na hImeartha, meaning "hero of the game") is often given after important games. In the 2008 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final, the award went to Brian Cody, the Kilkenny manager. This was unusual because it usually goes to a player.

For women's sports like camogie and ladies' Gaelic football, the award is called "player of the match." It also means "hero of the game" in Irish.

Ice Hockey's Three Stars

In North American ice hockey, the top three players in a game are called the Three stars. The best player is the first star, and so on. These players often score the most points or are great goaltenders. This tradition started in the 1930s to promote a "Three Star" brand of gasoline.

Outside North America, the "three stars" idea is not common. Other leagues might give an award to just one player who played best.

Rugby Football's Top Players

Both types of rugby, rugby league and rugby union, often give man of the match or player of the match awards. In games shown on TV or sponsored, a commentator or sponsor usually picks the winner. The award is given after the match.

Some famous awards in men's rugby league include the Clive Churchill Medal in the National Rugby League Grand Final. There is also the Lance Todd Trophy in the Challenge Cup final. The Harry Sunderland Trophy is given in the Super League Grand Final.

College Sports MVPs

In college basketball and college football in the United States, a top player from each team often gets a "player of the game" honor. These college athletes cannot take money or big prizes because of NCAA rules. Instead, TV companies or sponsors often donate money to the schools' scholarship funds in the players' names.

In college basketball's Final Four, a Most Outstanding Player award is given. This award is for how well a player performs in both the semi-final and championship games. Each of the four regional tournaments also gives a Most Outstanding Player award. This is for performance in the regional semifinals and final games.

Gridiron Football's MVPs

The National Football League (NFL) gives MVP awards for two big games:

• The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award is given at every Super Bowl, which is the NFL's championship game.
• The Pro Bowl has always had an MVP award. Now, one offensive and one defensive player are chosen. In the past, different ways of choosing were used.

For regular games, TV networks often informally pick a player (or players) of the game. A fun example is the Turkey Leg Award, All-Iron Award and Galloping Gobbler trophies given for games played on Thanksgiving.

The Canadian Football League gives two MVP awards for its championship game, the Grey Cup. The Grey Cup Most Valuable Player award can go to any player. The Dick Suderman Trophy is only for players who are Canadian citizens or grew up in Canada.

Images for kids

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  Lionel Messi playing for Barcelona in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup Final, where he won the man of the match award.