UEFA honours Marquinhos with new award for respect beyond football

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has announced a new award recognising respect and sportsmanship away from the statistics of football, with Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos named its first-ever winner.

The Respect Off the Pitch Award was unveiled during the ceremony for the draw for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. UEFA said the honour would recognise players who demonstrate sporting values and genuine respect both on and off the pitch, rather than rewarding goals, individual numbers or trophies.

Marquinhos, the Brazil defender, received the inaugural honour after a moment of sportsmanship during last season’s Champions League final. Following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Arsenal, he made a point of consoling the English club’s players as they dealt with their defeat.

That gesture was highlighted as an example of how respect can remain central to football even at the most emotionally charged moments. The scene drew attention because the defender’s conduct appeared to rise above the immediate celebration of victory and the disappointment of the losing side.

Marquinhos was not present to collect the award in person. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Paris Saint-Germain president, accepted it on his behalf during the ceremony, where the presentation was greeted with applause from those in attendance.

A video message from Marquinhos was shown at the event, in which he thanked UEFA and explained what the recognition meant to him.

“I would like to thank everyone for this award.. I think fair play is very important, both in football and in life”.

The defender added: “I will continue to show respect to my team-mates, opponents, referees and everyone involved in the game.. I am very happy and proud to receive this award”.

Ceferin said the new prize was intended to broaden the way football celebrates its leading figures. Rather than focusing solely on players who score the most goals or produce the most impressive performances, UEFA wants the award to draw attention to conduct that reflects the values of the sport.

UEFA described the honour as recognition for noble sporting behaviour and a clear reminder that football is about more than goals and championships.

Al-Khelaifi also praised the Paris Saint-Germain captain, saying the award reflected UEFA’s appreciation of Marquinhos’ exceptional behaviour and sporting spirit both on and off the field.

The announcement came as attention was focused on the much-anticipated Champions League league-phase draw, but Ceferin’s decision to introduce the award provided one of the ceremony’s notable moments. It also marked the first time UEFA had presented a prize specifically dedicated to respect away from the conventional measures of success.

Marquinhos’ selection followed the images from the previous season’s final, when he comforted Arsenal players after their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain. The moment offered a powerful contrast between the bitterness of losing a major final and the emotions of the victorious team, with sportsmanship taking prominence over the result.

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