Ballon d’Or host Didier Drogba was praised for his response after members of the audience booed when footage of Emiliano Martinez’s World Cup final save. It was against France’s Randal Kolo Muani. The authorities played the clip during the Argentina goalkeeper’s speech while receiving the 2023 Yashin Trophy.
Martinez won the coveted individual accolade, which gives recognition to outstanding goalkeepers from around the world. Thanks to his heroics for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Aston Villa star’s save against Kolo Muani is arguably one of the most important in football history. Without that crucial stop, it’s likely that Lionel Messi and his teammates would have lost the final on December 18 last year.
“I’m full of emotion to have won this,” Martinez said upon collecting the award. “Without my teammates at Aston Villa and in the Argentina national team, this wouldn’t have been possible – this moment in my career.”
Didier Drogba was praised for his reaction:
As footage of Martinez’s now-legendary save replayed on the big screen, a number of people inside the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris made their feelings clear by booing. Drogba then asked the South American goalkeeper: “Was that the save of your life, and do you still have that in your mind every day?”
Martinez responded to the question but a handful of restless audience members were still causing an issue. This forced Drogba to intervene. The Chelsea legend is also one of the most famous African footballers of all time.
He spoke in French and politely but firmly asked those responsible for the noise:
“please, please, respect.”
Didier Drogba was praised greatly. However, his response drew a round of applause from the vast majority of those inside the room. Moreover , he got further praise from football fans on social media.
“Big respect to Drogba for telling the audience to be respectful after all the boos.”
One X user wrote after the broadcast of the footage on the live stream.
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