The 3 Added Minutes alternative World Cup awards - Man City & Aston Villa stars among the winners | OneFootball

Spain ended a bizarre and often contentious 2026 World Cup as champions for a second time, and our alternative awards recognise the highs and lows FIFA’s gongs missed.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Argentina take Most damaged national reputation for sustained gamesmanship, favourable calls and a post-final melee, with even Lionel Messi seen trying to get Marc Cucurella dismissed.

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan wins Most relentless whinger after blaming officials for the Argentina loss despite replays backing key calls, then complaining for days and seemingly seeking to trigger FIFA’s racism protocol.

Chris Martin claims Most ear-crushing crime against music, with a forgettable official song, a dire album and a flat final half-time show that Wayne Rooney called “crap”.

Erling Haaland lands Most successful PR campaign thanks to viral posts, on-field feats and oddball moments, including a Stetson-shop snap in a “Y'all can kiss my Dallas” T-shirt, while Cape Verde’s 40-year-old Vozinha earns an honourable mention.

Most soul-destroying injury goes to Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana, who ruptured knee ligaments in Belgium’s 4-1 win over the United States and could miss most, if not all, of 2026/27, with further blows to William Saliba, Lisandro Martínez, Manuel Ugarte and Canada’s Ismaël Koné.

Most unconvincing controversy cover-up is handed to Australian VAR official Shaun Evans, who flashed an OK-style hand sign before Germany’s 7-1 win over Curaçao, then claimed it was an “involuntary, subconscious twitch”.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk