Who is selected for the Club World Cup Outstanding Player Award?

The expansion of the Club World Cup kicked off this week in the United States, with mixed responses.

This game attracted many spectators, but some of them were empty in seats. Now there are 32 teams from all over the world participating in the competition. The trophy needs to be "opened" with the keys, and some minor adjustments to the football referee method.

The match also includes a series of adjustments to how the match is presented, whether on TV or in the stadium.

Before the game starts, the players give personal entrance introductions, similar to an NBA game (each team has only five starters, not 11, so it won't delay too long), and at the same time, the referee camera is implemented to allow the audience to gain a new perspective in the goal highlights.

and then there is the Outstanding Player Award. The Club World Cup did not award the former traditional Best Player Award at the end, but instead awarded the "Outstanding Player".

So why change the name? Who will choose the winner? How does this award compare to other competition awards?

1. The Club World Cup has an Outstanding Player Award - What is it? The

Outstanding Player Award is a variant of the Club World Cup vs. commonly known as the Best Player Award, which is awarded at the end of the game. The name change was obviously for commercial reasons; Michelob Ultra is the sponsor of the award, and the American beer brand’s ads can be seen before the Club World Cup, showing international Miami and Argentine star Messi showing off football skills in the hotel lobby. The ad's slogan - "Worth Fighting for Excellence" is shared with these post-match honors.

Previously, Messi appeared in a beer commercial aired during the Super Bowl. In a 2024 commercial, he played football on the beach with Football Coach actor Jason Sudditches and legendary NFL quarterback Dan Marino.

2. Is this the first time this has happened?

Michelob also sponsored the most recent Central and North American Champions League and the 2024 America's Cup.

These two events are held at least in part in the United States, and the company seeks to increase market visibility and consolidate its brand connection with football. Michelob will also become a sponsor at the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in the California city of Los Angeles.

3. Do beer companies often sponsor football awards? The 2022 World Cup Best Player Award is sponsored by Budweiser, marking the first time the "Best Player" award has been renamed from the "Best Player" in the Men's World Cup.

In most men's and women's football matches at FIFA, the award is now standardized as "Best Player".

In the 2023 Women's World Cup, the Best Player Award was sponsored by payment service company Visa.

4. How are the winners of the Outstanding Player Award selected? The

trophy is awarded through a public vote.

Between the 60th and 88th minutes of each Club World Cup match, the audience can select the best player through the FIFA+ platform, which is similar to the selection method of the Best Player Award at the 2022 World Cup.

Each person can vote for up to one vote per Club World Cup match. Anyone over the age of 18 can participate, provided they are registered, regardless of where they are viewed.

5. How is it compared to the Premier League?

Guinness is the official beer of the Premier League, sponsoring the Premier League’s goal-of-month goal match, which is decided by fans’ votes. Coca-Cola is the official soft drink partner of the Premier League, sponsoring the best save of the month. The

Individual Best Player Award is also decided by the public, and the audience can vote through the official Premier League website and mobile app within 15 minutes of the game.

In 2012, the Premier League stopped giving champagne in the Best Player Awards to show respect for some players' religious beliefs. In recent years, successful teams have also begun to use alcohol-free "champagne" to celebrate trophy awards and other occasions for the same reasons.

6. So far, which players have won the Outstanding Player Award? The first game of the Club World Cup ended 0-0 between Messi's Major League Soccer team Miami International and Egyptian team Ahli, with Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari winning the Outstanding Player Award for saving a penalty.

In the first three days of the event, Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Vitinia (Paris Saint-Germain), Estevao William (Palmeiras), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Miguel Merentiel (Boca Youth) and Joelzan de Alascaeta (Framengo) also won awards.

7. What other awards will be awarded in the Club World Cup?

In addition to the Outstanding Player Awards in each game, the Club World Cup will also award the following awards:

Golden Globe Award - awarded to the Best Player of the Tournament (Silver and Bronze Awards will be awarded to the second and third players in the voting)

Golden Boot Award - Best Scorer of the Tournament.

Club World Cup champion teams can also wear gold badges on matchday jerseys to commemorate their victory until the next match is held in 2029.