Awkward moment Emi Martinez is BOOED with Drogba forced to intervene and tell off crowd during Ballon d’Or ceremony
EMI MARTINEZ was awkwardly BOOED at the Ballon d’Or ceremony – with Didier Drogba having to intervene to tell the crowd off.
The Argentine won the Yashin Trophy – to crown the best performing goalkeeper – having helped clinch the World Cup last year.
Martinez pulled off a stunning one-on-one save in the dying embers of the final against France and also saved two penalties in the shootout.
So he was not the most popular face during the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris, facing heckles and boos when he went on stage.
Chelsea legend Drogba – who led the ceremony – was heard saying “please, please, respect” in French as replays of Martinez were booed.
He later fumed: “Please, we are here to respect athletes. We have a great champion in front of us, please let him speak. Thank you.”
The Aston Villa stopper received the prestigious award from his dad on stage.
Martinez, 31, said: “I’m full of emotion to have won this.
“Without my teammates at Aston Villa and in the Argentina national team, this wouldn’t have been possible – this moment in my career.”
Martinez beat the likes of Ederson, Aaron Ramsdale, Andre Onana, Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen to win the award.
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Elsewhere on the night, Lionel Messi clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy and was presented it by his Inter Miami boss David Beckham.
Messi, 36, said: “It’s nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment. To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream.”
He added: “I couldn’t imagine having the career I’ve had and everything I’ve achieved, the fortune I’ve had to be part of the best team in history.
“To win the Copa America and to get the World Cup after all those difficult moments in the national teams.”