Football fans can’t get their heads around why Emiliano Martinez took home the Lev Yashin award at Ballon d’Or ceremony… despite Morocco shot-stopper Yassine Bounou finishing ABOVE him in the overall rankings
- The Villa keeper was central in leading Argentina to World Cup glory last year
- Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or 2023 award beating Haaland to the coveted prize
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Football fans have been left baffled by Emiliano Martinez’s ranking in the latest annual Ballon d’Or football awards.
Last night in Paris the Aston Villa keeper won the highly coveted Lev Yashin award, which recognises the best performing keeper in the world.
He also was ranked 15th in the Ballon d’or rankings, beating players such as Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.
However, also beating him in the overall rankings was Moroccan shot-stopper Yassine Bounou who finished 13th.
Confused fans took to social media to question how Martinez won the best keeper award but was ranked lower than Bounou.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was central to Argentina’s World Cup winning side
Yassine Bounou of Morroco and now Al-Hilal was ranked as the 13th best footballer in the world
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One person said: ‘How can Martinez win the award for best GK but finish below Bonou in overall voting…’
Another wrote: ‘There’s also no way Martinez over Bonou can be justified. Bonou had a fantastic world cup. In fact his achievement could be regarded as being greater than that of Argentina. Plus, his achievement at club level.’
A third also questioned: ‘How is it possible for a player in 15th place to win and not in 13th place?’
Bounou enjoyed a fantastic World Cup campaign that saw his side become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals after they defeated Portugal 1-0.
The former Sevilla goalkeeper was also central to both of their UEFA Europa League trophies.
Earlier this year, he joined Riyadh-based side Al-Hilal on a three-year contract in the Saudi Pro League.
Football fans took to social media to share their confusion over both of the keeper’s rankings
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