Marquinhos receives inaugural UEFA Respect award

UEFA has introduced a new honor, the ‘Respect: Beyond the Game’ award, and named Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos as its inaugural recipient. The award recognizes his sportsmanship during the 2025/26 Champions League final, where he paused his own celebrations to console Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães after Magalhães missed a decisive penalty.

The award was presented during the 2026/27 Champions League league phase draw ceremony in Monaco. Due to scheduling conflicts, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi accepted the trophy on Marquinhos' behalf, though the player expressed his gratitude via video, stating that fair play is essential in both football and daily life.

The ceremony also coincided with the draw for the new Champions League format, which features 36 teams competing in a single league phase. Notable upcoming matchups include Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona and Manchester City, and Arsenal against Real Madrid.