Some of the biggest names in world football, including Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo, were honoured at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards. Now in its tenth year, the event brings together the biggest names from all sides of the game including, players, managers, referees, agents and iconic figures.
Winners: Ronaldo and Didier Deschamps picked up awards
A packed ballroom at the Madinat Jumeirah saw Cristiano Ronaldo take home the award for Best Player of the Year, beating off competition from the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. It was the second time on the night that the Juventus striker had been on stage having already collected the Globe Soccer 433 Fans Award trophy – helped by his stunning overhead kick for Real Madrid against his current employers, which was beamed on a jumbo screen as he made his way onto the stage.
Another trophy: France star Blaise Matuidi with a Special Career Award
Addressing the crowd, Ronaldo said, “It’s an honour to receive the trophy, I have to thank my family for their support. It’s been a tough year, I won many trophies last year and it’s unbelievable to be here again and pick up this award.” It’s the third year running Ronaldo has won the Best Player award at the event. In the run up to the nights proceedings the Portuguese superstar had been enjoying time in Dubai, including the New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Burj Al-Arab.
Other winners included Atletico Madrid for Best Club of the Year, World Cup-winning defender Blaise Matuidi accepted the award for Player Career of the Year and his international manager Didier Deschamps was honoured as the Best Coach of the Year, for guiding France to glory in Russia last summer.
Locally, there were awards for Best Arab Referee of the Year, which was handed to Mohammed Abdullah and Best Arab Career Award, which went to Sami Al-Jaber.
Full List of Globe Soccer Award winners
Cristiano Ronaldo – Best Player of the Year
Mohammed Abdullah – Best Arab Referee of the Year
Sami Al-Jaber – Arab Career Award
Cristiano Ronaldo – Globe Soccer 433 Fans’ Award
Atletico Madrid – Best Club of the Year
Fabio Paratici – Best Sporting Director of the Year
Jorge Mendes – Best Agent of the Year
Zvonimir Boban – Special Career Award
Blaise Matuidi – Player Career Award
Didier Deschamps – Best Coach of the Year
Fabio Capello – Coach Career Award
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima – Player Career Award