The MVP selection storm: Jude Bellingham wins a controversial title at the 2026 World Cup
[97207] The MVP selection storm: Jude Bellingham wins a controversial title at the 2026 World Cup
FIFA's decision to award Jude Bellingham the Man of the Match title in the game against Ghana has sparked a wave of criticism in the sports media, despite his poor performance on the pitch.
The MVP selection storm: Jude Bellingham wins a controversial title
Following the conclusion of the match in the 2026 World Cup, FIFA announced that England midfielder Jude Bellingham was selected as the Man of the Match in the encounter against Ghana. The selection raised many questions and sharp criticism among media outlets, in light of the player's performance during the game.
According to جام جهانی فوتبال Sport Bad News, a channel known for its fast coverage of World Cup matches, Bellingham's statistics were far from impressive: the midfielder completed 27 out of 31 passes (87%), recorded 0 expected goals (xG), and failed to complete any shots on target. In that same report, it was noted that the player himself reacted to the decision with surprise: "I don't deserve this award, one of Ghana's players should have won it."
At the same time, کانال فوتبال برتر ࡆ لیگ برتر 360 presented a more sharply critical stance, claiming that Bellingham was chosen despite being "the weakest player for England" with a low rating. The sense of dissatisfaction reflects a professional controversy surrounding FIFA's criteria in choosing the MVPs in the tournament.
In separate reports from the same source, it was mentioned that Kylian Mbappé and other figures also previously won the Man of the Match award in various games in the tournament, but Bellingham's case stands out due to the gap between the official assessment and the data on the pitch.