Danish Superliga defender Maxime Soulas made headlines far beyond the football pitch after receiving one of the most unusual Man of the Match prizes of the season: a mountain of potatoes.

Following SønderjyskE’s thrilling 3-2 win over Nordsjælland, the 26-year-old Frenchman was awarded 55 kilograms of freshly dug potatoes—delivered in a wheelbarrow, Footballrover reports.

From Solid Defence to Spud Delivery: Maxime Soulas’ Viral Moment

The unusual gift was a reward for opening the scoring in what turned out to be a dramatic clash on Sunday.

The generous tuber bounty was part of a local sponsorship tradition where the Man of the Match prize is chosen by the sponsor.

— “The sponsor of the match decides on the reward. He found it funny, and now the story’s gone round the world.”

— Jacob Ravn, SønderjyskE Communications Director

While some players walk away with trophies or medals, Maxime Soulas’ reward captured social media’s attention worldwide—thanks to its earthy charm and comic delivery.

Speaking about the prize, Soulas said:

“I gave the potatoes to my club’s cafeteria, and they donated some to a soup kitchen.”

— Maxime Soulas via AFP / SuperSport

This humble gesture added a heartwarming layer to the viral sensation, turning a fun moment into one that truly gave back to the community.

The Defender Who Dug Deep—On and Off the Pitch

Born in Montpellier, Soulas has been a reliable figure at SønderjyskE since 2021. Before joining the Danish Superliga, he played in the Netherlands and later for the Danish side Amager in Copenhagen.

While he’s used to making headlines for his performances, this time it’s a mountain of potatoes that’s put him on the global map.

The award—both hilarious and heartfelt—has added a new chapter to his career.

From strong tackles to strong roots, Soulas is proving that football heroes can also deliver offbeat, feel-good stories.

But then, if this were to be the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), the story would have obviously been different by now.

Earlier last month, the latest Man of the Match at Norwegian club Bryne FK was rewarded with an unusual combo of 100 eggs, 40 bags of oats, and 20 litres of milk.

Bryne currently sit 13th in the Eliteserien standings.

Like this post?
We’d be delighted to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the box below!

Last Updated on August 7, 2025 8:03 am by Sir Kris