For millions of football fans around the world, the Man of the Match (MOTM) award in the Premier League is seen as the ultimate recognition of brilliance on matchday. But behind the televised graphics and post-match photo sessions lies a system many supporters barely understand. Far from being a fully league-controlled honour, the Premier League MOTM award is shaped more by broadcasters, sponsors, and media narratives than by official league structures.
Below are the 7 Facts You might not Know
1. Fans Don’t Always Decide the Winner
Although many broadcasters allow fan votes, the final decision is often influenced by a panel of experts appointed by the Premier League or the host broadcaster. In some games, especially on international feeds, fans have no voting power at all.
2. The Award Has No Official League-Wide Sponsor
Unlike the Golden Boot, the Player of the Match award does not have a permanent league sponsor. Each broadcaster uses its own branding. For example, recent games often use the EA SPORTS Player of the Match tag, but it’s not an official league designation.
3. Goal Scorers Are Automatically Favoured
Statistically, over 70% of all Player of the Match winners are goal scorers, even when defenders or goalkeepers outperform them. This creates a hidden bias where flashy moments outweigh overall impact.
4. Goalkeepers Rarely Win It
Despite match-winning saves, goalkeepers account for less than 6% of total Player of the Match awards in league history. Even multiple clean sheets in tough games often go unrewarded.
5. There Is No Central Premier League Record
The Premier League does not maintain an official historical database of Player of the Match winners. Most statistics you see online are compiled from broadcasters, football data companies, and fan archives, not the league itself.
6. The Award Is Separate from the Official “Man of the Match” Trophies
Some clubs give their own internal Man of the Match awards that do not match the televised winner. A player might receive a club trophy in the dressing room but lose the TV award to another teammate.
7. It Has Changed Names Multiple Times
Before modern branding, the award carried different titles depending on sponsorship:
Carlsberg Man of the Match (early 2000s)
Barclays Man of the Match (mid-era)
Budweiser King of the Match (international broadcasts)
Each sponsor influenced how the award was promoted not how it was judged.
