During the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Emiliano Martinez, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper, was awarded the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in 2023.
However, when Martinez went on stage to collect his award, the French fans in the audience began to boo as his remarkable save from Randal Kolo Muani’s last-minute strike in the 2022 World Cup final was replayed on the screen.
To address this disrespectful behaviour, Didier Drogba, the former Chelsea star who was hosting the event, had to step in.
Drogba called on the fans to show some respect to the award winner and requested that they cease the heckling.
The lack of respect for Martinez was evident even before the ceremony.
As he entered the Théâtre du Chatelet with his wife, Amanda Gama, French fans could be heard jeering the goalkeeper.
Emiliano Martinez, who plays for Aston Villa, is set to return to action for his club on Sunday in a Premier League match against Nottingham Forest.