20 Players With Most Man of the Match Awards in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues (2024-25)

 

20 Players With Most Man of the Match Awards in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues (2024-25) Talent in football comes in many forms, and evaluating a player's quality can involve various metrics—from their impact in crucial moments to their seasonal tallies of goals and assists. Goalkeepers and defenders, meanwhile, are often judged by clean sheets. One often-overlooked but revealing measure, however, is the number of Man of the Match awards a player earns in a season. Shining in big games is important, but consistently performing at a high level week after week—whether stabilizing the team or driving it toward trophies—is a different challenge altogether. A team of erratic performers, brilliant one day and lackluster the next, won’t go far. Here, we dive into the players with the most Man of the Match awards in the 2024/25 season, based on WhoScored data, revealing some unexpected names:

20. Dan Ndoye (Bologna) - 6 Man of the Match awards Bologna celebrated a historic season, clinching their first major trophy since 1974 with a Coppa Italia triumph. Despite a mid-table ninth-place finish in Serie A, they outlasted AC Milan in a gripping final, thanks to Dan Ndoye’s decisive impact. The dynamic right-winger contributed nine goals and six assists across all competitions, earning his plaudits.

19. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 6 Man of the Match awards Cole Palmer cemented his status as one of England’s brightest talents, driving Chelsea to a top-four Premier League finish with 23 goal involvements. His flair also helped the Blues complete their European collection by lifting the Europa Conference League. The Wythenshawe native’s composure and creativity were pivotal in both domestic and continental success.

18. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 6 Man of the Match awards Even with a hamstring injury sidelining him late in the season, Bukayo Saka remained Arsenal’s go-to game-changer. His 12 goals and 14 assists underscored his importance, often tipping tight matches in the Gunners’ favor. Six Man of the Match awards feel almost standard for a player of his caliber.

17. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) - 6 Man of the Match awards When Ivan Toney departed, Brentford fans feared the worst, but Bryan Mbeumo stepped up spectacularly. His 20 goals and seven Premier League assists silenced doubters, earning him six Man of the Match nods and sparking transfer buzz with Manchester United. The Cameroonian has become the Bees’ new talisman.

16. Andrea Pinamonti (Genoa) - 6 Man of the Match awards Andrea Pinamonti is a rare breed in Italian football—a striker who excels in every facet of the game, from hold-up play to aerial prowess. His all-around brilliance often carries Genoa’s attack single-handedly, making his six Man of the Match awards a natural reward for his match-defining performances.

15. Alex Iwobi (Fulham) - 6 Man of the Match awards Alex Iwobi was the heartbeat of Fulham’s electric start to the season. Early in the campaign, the Nigerian’s goals and assists fueled dreams of European qualification. His knack for multi-goal contributions often secured him Man of the Match honors, even as Fulham’s form later wavered.

14. Scott McTominay (Napoli) - 7 Man of the Match awards Manchester United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay looks increasingly misguided. In his first Serie A season, the midfielder scored 12 goals and added four assists, earning Napoli’s Player of the Year award. His seven Man of the Match accolades silenced critics of his time in the “McFred” partnership.

13. Joan Garcia (Espanyol) - 7 Man of the Match awards Espanyol’s Joan Garcia stands alone among goalkeepers and defenders on this list. Facing a barrage of shots, he conceded 51 goals in 38 games but still managed eight clean sheets. His heroic performances under pressure earned him seven Man of the Match awards, a testament to his resilience.

12. Gaetan Perrin (Auxerre) - 7 Man of the Match awards Gaetan Perrin, dubbed “Le Combattant” for his relentless spirit, was the linchpin of Auxerre’s impressive Ligue 1 campaign. The newly promoted side finished 11th, with Perrin’s 10 goals and 11 assists proving central to their success. His seven Man of the Match awards reflect his all-action style.

11. Frank Anguissa (Napoli) - 7 Man of the Match awards Napoli’s fourth Scudetto under Antonio Conte was a team effort, but Frank Anguissa’s tireless midfield work often went under the radar. While teammates like McTominay and Lukaku grabbed headlines, Anguissa’s seven Man of the Match awards highlighted his critical role in the title charge.

10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7 Man of the Match awards Florian Wirtz solidified his reputation as the Bundesliga’s premier attacking midfielder, earning Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. His 10 goals and 11 assists fueled Leverkusen’s campaign and reportedly secured a blockbuster move to Liverpool, where he’s set to shine brighter.

9. Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain) - 9 Man of the Match awards Ousmane Dembele’s 46 goal involvements in 48 games powered PSG to their maiden Champions League title, a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan. Once deemed a Barcelona flop, the Frenchman’s resurgence has made him the leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

8. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) - 9 Man of the Match awards Michael Olise’s journey from Reading’s Championship obscurity to Bayern Munich’s star winger is remarkable. His dazzling movement and vision torment defenders across Europe, earning him nine Man of the Match awards. The ex-Crystal Palace standout remains a hidden gem despite his brilliance.

7. Matheus Cunha (Wolves) - 9 Man of the Match awards Matheus Cunha was Wolves’ savior, dragging them to Premier League safety with 15 goals and six assists in 33 games. His one-man heroics earned nine Man of the Match awards, catching Manchester United’s eye as they swooped for the Brazilian’s signature.

6. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) - 9 Man of the Match awards Kylian Mbappe’s trophy-less debut season at Real Madrid wasn’t for lack of effort. His 42 goals in 55 games clinched the European Golden Shoe and Real Madrid’s Player of the Year award. Despite PSG’s Champions League triumph, Mbappe’s individual brilliance shone through.

5. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - 9 Man of the Match awards Harry Kane’s all-around mastery—scoring, creating, and linking play—makes him the world’s most complete forward. His nine Man of the Match awards and a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich underscore his impact, rewarding his move from Tottenham with long-awaited silverware.

4. Raphinha (Barcelona) - 10 Man of the Match awards Raphinha has evolved from Leeds United’s star to a Barcelona juggernaut. His 13 Champions League goals tied for the competition’s top scorer, while his nine assists led the charts. Ten Man of the Match awards reflect his devastating impact on Europe’s biggest stage.

3. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 10 Man of the Match awards Mohamed Salah continues to defy expectations, rewriting Liverpool’s record books. His 47 goal involvements in 2024/25 matched the Premier League’s single-season record, powering the Reds to their 20th league title. A new two-year contract ensures his legend grows.

2. Mason Greenwood (Marseille) - 11 Man of the Match awards Mason Greenwood’s 21 goals and five assists in 34 Ligue 1 games for Marseille defied his off-field controversies and manager Roberto De Zerbi’s critiques. His 11 Man of the Match awards mark a stunning redemption, though his reputation remains polarizing.

1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) - 12 Man of the Match awards At just 17, Lamine Yamal is drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi, with some arguing he’s already outpacing his idol’s teenage years. The Spanish prodigy earned Man of the Match honors in 12 of his 55 appearances last season—a 21% rate—signaling a meteoric rise toward global dominance.

See also: 10 forgotten footballers we can’t believe will be at the Club World Cup: Lanzini, Malcom…