The first "Michelob ULTRA Superior Player of the Match" award of the 2026 World Cup has gone to one of Mexico's football talents, who played a major role in bringing joy to millions of fans on the opening day of the world football tournament.
Forward Julian Quinones has been voted by fans as the winner of the "Michelob ULTRA Superior Player of the Match" award after his impressive performance in Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
In front of tens of thousands of spectators at the Azteca Stadium and millions of fans watching worldwide, Julian Quinones constantly disrupted the South African defense, being the most aggressive player in Mexico's attack.
The 29-year-old striker proved his leading role in the national team's attack. Not only was he energetic and created many dangerous opportunities, but the forward, currently playing for Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League, also directly scored the opening goal in the 9th minute, helping the home team relieve pressure early, gain an advantage, and secure all three points on their opening day.
Quinones' goal came from a run from the left wing into the center, before he unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area. The goal was not only significant in terms of the score but also marked a memorable milestone in Quinones' career, as he became the first player to score at the 2026 World Cup.
The "Michelob ULTRA Superior Player of the Match" award is a new award introduced by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup to honor the most outstanding player in each match. The winner is selected through a global fan vote. This award replaces the familiar "Man of the Match" title from previous World Cups and will be awarded after all 104 matches of the tournament.
After the final whistle, Quinones received the prestigious trophy amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the Mexican fans. The award was a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding performance and affirmed the striker's influence in Mexico's journey to conquer the World Cup on home soil.
The victory against South Africa gave Mexico a favorable start in Group A and created positive momentum for the following matches. With Quinones' consistent form and home advantage, the CONCACAF team is showing its determination to go deep in the biggest football tournament on the planet.