Jump directly to the content

WILFRIED ZAHA was given treatment fit for a king after scooping an MLS Man of the Match award.

The former Crystal Palace winger made a dream debut for Charlotte FC following his 18-month loan move from Galatasaray.

Wilfried Zaha #10 of Charlotte FC celebrating a goal.
4
Wilfried Zaha bagged a goal and an assist in his Charlotte FC debutCredit: GETTY
Wilfried Zaha, Man of the Match, wearing a crown and holding an award.
4
The winger was given a crown as part of his Man of the Match awardCredit: GETTY
Wilfried Zaha of Charlotte FC, man of the match, wearing a crown.
4
And he sat down on a throne next to fans after picking up the awardCredit: GETTY

Zaha, 32, bagged a goal and an assist as his new side ran out 2-0 winners over Atalanta United.

His exploits saw him awarded the Man of the Match.

But unlike MOTM awards he's received in years gone by, he also received a bizarre gift.

The Ivory Coast International was gifted a black crown before being surrounded by fans as he sat on a Charlotte FC throne.

READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS

Zaha happily posed for photos, sticking his thumbs up as supporters snapped away.

Footie fans were quick to comment on the clip, with one saying: "Man's got the Burger King hat on."

Another said: "Looks like he’s just come from Burger King."

And another said: "Oh God, Sky will be insisting on something similar soon."

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS

Wilfried Zaha #10 of Charlotte FC during an MLS match.
4
Wilfried Zaha insists he has no regrets about his recent movesCredit: GETTY

One remarked: "Make it stop."

Another chimed in: "This could be the most 'MLS' thing of all-time."

Wilfried Zaha leaves press room in stitches with hilarious response to whether he is bothered about failed Man Utd spell

Zaha has bounced around from club to club over the last two years but has no regrets, including over his departure from his beloved Palace.

He left his boyhood club in 2023 for Galatasaray and spent half a season in France with Lyon before the Turkish giants loaned him to the MLS.

He said: “It doesn’t stop my journey. I’ve left Palace and I left Palace in a good way. I’ve played for a childhood club, I’ve left there with a mural.

“I feel like there’s nothing more I could have done really. I’ve gone to Turkey, I’ve managed to play Champions League, score a Champions League goal.

So I’m just ticking boxes of things that I’ve wanted to do from a child. I’ve managed to do that and things happen.

"All I can do is just keep my head down and just keep on working. I was in Turkey, it didn’t work out with Gala.

“It didn’t work out with Lyon. It doesn’t stop me. I’m still thinking I’m still the player that I am and if I get the opportunity, I’m going to show it every time.

“These are just experiences that make me who I am, make me stronger. So it’s a thing where it happens, I move on from it and do the best that I can.

“I have come in here to score goals and try to win stuff. I set myself incredibly high standards.

Read More on The Sun

"So when I do speak, people will actually listen because I show you an example by what I do.

"Going into the season, I want to try to score as many goals as I can. That’s what I mean by my own history here.”

Topics