UEFA baffles Super Cup viewers with 'joke' announcement minutes after PSG beat Spurs

Football fans are not happy with UEFA after it was announced who had been awarded player of the match for the Super Cup.

On Wednesday night, Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain faced off against Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udinese, Italy.

Despite boasting a 2-0 lead over the Ligue 1 winners heading into the final 10 minutes of the match, Spurs failed to see out the match, with goals from substitutes Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos taking the match to a penalty shootout.

After Vitinha missed the opening penalty of the shootout, PSG managed to come back and win the shootout 4-3, therefore winning the UEFA Super Cup.

Post-match, UEFA took to social media to announce who they had selected as the player of the match, and fans were truly baffled by the decision.

PSH won the UEFA Super Cup after beating Spurs. (Image: Getty)

Ahead of their Ligue 1 opener against FC Nantes on Sunday, PSG manager Luis Enrique named a full strength starting team in the Super Cup, handing a debut to new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.

But, despite his heroics in the shootout, it wasn't Chevalier who took home the player of the match award, as UEFA instead decided to give it to teammate Ousmane Dembele.

Although he started the match and played until the final whistle, Dembele failed to register a goal involvement until he set up Ramos for the equaliser in the 94th minute, leading to many fans saying he didn't deserve the award.

Reacting to the decision on X, one fan wrote: "Ghosted 85 minutes and got 1 assist, this PR is crazy. Lee or Fabian Ruiz were the best players, they changed the game."

While a Spurs fan claimed: "That's a f****** joke. Was missing for half the game. Spurs may have lost, but more Spurs players deserving of the recognition, Spence for starters."

And one fan suggested that the decision may have been influenced by the upcoming Ballon d'Or ceremony, writing: "Can't lie he's absolutely not deserving of this one. I guess they've made their mind up he's Ballon d'Or winner then."

As it stands Dembele is the favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or after his crucial role in PSG securing a quadruple including both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Ousmane Dembele was named player of the match after the Super Cup. (Image: Getty)

Who else could win the Ballon d'Or this year?

Although Dembele is now a relatively heavy favourite to win the Ballon d'Or at the ceremony on September 22nd, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, several other players are in contention for the award.

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal could win his first of what is expected to be several career Ballon d'Ors in September should he be credited for establishing himself as one of the biggest names in the sport this season.

Meanwhile, Dembele's PSG teammate Vitinha and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah also stand a chance of winning the coveted award.