Top 10 Players With Most Man of the Match in Football History | Ranked

The Man of the Match award (MOTM) is handed out to the best performer in a specific game. The player from either team wins the prestigious award, which acknowledges a footballer’s profound influence on the result of the game. A player winning this award consistently reflects his prowess as a player on the main stage.

This award serves as an acknowledgment of the player’s sheer impact he had during the match. The Man of the Match award often reflects the player’s influence and power exhibited throughout their career. Players consistently winning this award demonstrate their exceptional skill while also showcasing their capacity to deliver when it matters most. Now let’s take a look at the top 10 players with most Man of the Match in football history.

List of Players with Most Man of the Match in Football History

Now, let's take a look at the footballers who made it onto our list of the most man of the match in football history, which includes Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Bale, and many more.

Who has most Man of the Match in Football History?

All these players have cemented their place as one of the finest players to ever grace this sport and have filled it with magical moments, clutch goals, and more. Let's find out more about each footballer.

10. Arturo Vidal (Midfielder)

The Chilean midfielder had an illustrious career and enjoyed spells at some of the most influential clubs in Europe, like Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona. Vidal now plays for his boyhood club Colo-Colo, marking a special beginning for the veteran who is in the twilight of his career.

The former Juventus midfielder had won over 50 man of the match awards in his professional career. His performances for clubs like Bayern, Barcelona, and Juventus have been nothing short of outstanding. Arturo Vidal is one of the players with most man of the match in football history.

9. Antoine Griezmann (Forward)

The Frenchman has won 58 Man of the Match awards while playing for three different clubs in the Spanish top-flight, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Sociedad. His global stardom after his controversial move to Barcelona soared, but some major injuries and form prevented him from making his mark at Camp Nou, and he ultimately returned to Atletico, where he regained his previous form.

With 58 Man of the Match awards and counting to his name, he is one of the player with most man of the match in football history. His performance for his national team always goes unnoticed, with Kylian Mbappe getting the most limelight for his contribution. The French striker has been one of the most consistent players for his national team.

8. Gareth Bale (Forward)

Regarded as one of the greatest footballers in Europe, Gareth Bale left Real Madrid in 2022 after securing three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies. He has produced an insane number of highlight reel moments, including his memorable solo goal against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final. The former Spurs winger has picked up 62 Man of the Match awards before hanging up his boots in 2023.

Bale was a clutch player for the Los Blancos team, especially during El Clasico; he almost every time performed for his team. The former Real Madrid winger had a successful stint at Real Madrid, where he won plenty of titles and accolades in the process. He is one of the player with the most man of the match in football history.

7. Luis Suarez (Striker)

The Uruguayan goal machine has been one of the consistent strikers in the modern era which has helped him accumulate a remarkable 65 MOTM awards. Luis Suarez left his indelible mark at Liverpool, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and a few more. The Uruguayan striker made headlines for his team with Barcelona, teaming up with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. at the front.

Although he has lost most of his pace but he has now found a way to help his side with his playmaking skills. Often hailed as one of the best modern-day strikers for his consistency at the top for clubs like Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona.

6. Neymar (Forward)

The little man from Brazil was one of the brightest prospects in world football during his spells at both Barcelona and PSG. Despite playing in one of the mediocre leagues in Europe, Neymar has been a joy to watch due to his incredible skills and knack for goals, which earned him 90 Match of the Man awards.

After an injury-filled time with the Saudi Pro League side, Al Hilal, Neymar was still considered one of the best players of his generation. Recently, he made a return to his former club, Santos, where he seems to have once again found his footing and rhythm. But again, luck wasn’t on his side, as the Brazilian winger got injured during a game.

5. Robert Lewandowski (Striker)

The Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund legend who’s currently plying his trade with Barcelona is widely recognized as one of the best strikers in modern football. Lewandowski earned his spot among the best players of his generation and the constant impact he brings to the team collectively.

Robert Lewandowski has continued to perform at the top level for Barcelona in the 2024-25 season. His consistency and goal-scoring spree for his club and national team, Poland, cemented his place as one of the best strikers in the world. The Polish striker has won over 96 man of the match awards and surely will win plenty before hanging up his boots.

4. Eden Hazard (Forward)

The Chelsea legend was known for his exceptional playmaking and goalscoring abilities and carried the Blues on his back for several years in the Premier League. Despite a turbulent spell at Real Madrid, where injuries and fitness have hampered his game time, Hazard has cemented his status as one of the standout attackers in modern football, accumulating an incredible 100 Man of the Match accolades in his time between 2009 and 2023.

The Belgian dribbling maestro had a terrific club career with Chelsea, where he showcased his immense talent to the world. The former Belgian winger is hailed as one of the best dribblers the football world has seen.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Striker)

The Swedish striker will easily go down as one of the lethal strikers of the sport who has terrorized defenders and goalkeepers with his technical abilities and raw finishing. Ibrahimovic is one of the oldest players to appear on the list but has several honours under his belt, including the 116 Man of the Match awards in his professional career.

Zlatan is known for his strength and bold finishing throughout his professional career. The former PSGian has won many accolades for teams like Ajax, Barcelona, Inter, AC Milan, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Forward)

Often regarded as one of the most clutch players in the history of football, Cristiano Ronaldo has accumulated 176 Man of the Match awards during his memorable spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr. The Portuguese legend has achieved everything in his career, but even stats like this will make him a perfectionist. There is no point guessing who finishes above “Mr. Champions League.”

Who would have thought a player at the age of 40 would be as consistent as in their prime, but Ronaldo proved everyone wrong. The former Real Madrid winger has continued to dominate as he’s scoring at an impressive rate for Al Nassr and his national team, Portugal. Cristiano is one of the players with most man of the match in football history. Not only that, the Portuguese superstar is also one of the richest athletes in the world.

1. Lionel Messi (Forward)

For all those wondering who has the most man of the match in football history, it’s none other than the Argentinian magician, Lionel Messi. The 2022 World Cup winner has been named Man of the Match for more than half of the games he played since 2009. Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has continued to operate at a level that consistently sets him apart from the rest of the legends of the game.

He currently plays for MLS side Inter Miami and has bagged a whopping 395 MOTM awards in his professional career. The former Barcelona winger has shown no signs of slowing down and has continued to be one of the most influential players for his side in MLS. Messi is also hailed as one of the greatest football players of all time.