On Sunday evening, the eyes of football fans around the world will be on Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which is preparing to host the sixteenth edition of the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony for 2025. This annual event is one of the most prominent stops on the global sports calendar, where an elite group of the brightest football stars, coaches, and sports decision-makers gather under one roof to celebrate excellence and achievements throughout the season.
The battle of the stars for the title of best in the Middle East
This year's edition is particularly special and exceptional, especially with regard to the "Best Player in the Middle East" award, which is witnessing fierce competition reflecting the qualitative leap experienced by Arab leagues, particularly the Saudi Professional League. The final shortlist includes four heavyweight names, led by the Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, who continues to break records despite his age.
Cristiano Ronaldo, nicknamed "The Madeira Rocket," is competing against Saudi international Salem Al-Dawsari, the Al-Hilal icon and former Asian Player of the Year, Algerian Riyad Mahrez, the Al-Ahli maestro, and veteran French striker Karim Benzema, the Al-Ittihad captain. This four-way competition is not merely a race for an individual award; it embodies the significant sporting movement in the region and its ability to attract the world's best talent, thus raising the market and technical value of Middle Eastern leagues.
Voting mechanism and credibility of the award
What distinguishes the Globe Soccer Awards from other global awards like the Ballon d'Or or The Best is its unique voting system. The results are based on a balanced formula that combines votes from fans around the world with the opinions of an international jury comprised of top coaches, experts, and former legends of the game. This mechanism gives the awards high credibility and ensures fair representation between popular support and expert technical opinion.
Intense global competition
Globally, the public is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winner of the Best Player in the World award, as the list includes brilliant names who have delivered amazing performances, including the Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, the French star who recently joined Real Madrid Kylian Mbappe, in addition to the brilliant Barcelona duo Rafinha and the rising talent Lamine Yamal.
In the coaching category, the competition is fierce between different tactical schools, with Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Hansi Flick (Barcelona), and Enzo Maresca (Chelsea) all vying for the title of Club of the Year. Meanwhile, at the club level, European giants such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain are competing for the Club of the Year award.
Women's football and special awards
The award also recognized the significant progress in women's football, with Spain's Aitana Bonmatí aiming to cement her dominance and win the title for the third consecutive year, facing competition from her compatriot Alexia Botías and other stars such as Mariona Caldente and Melchi Domornay. The ceremony also featured prestigious awards for player agents and sporting directors, acknowledging their vital behind-the-scenes role in the modern football industry.
It is worth noting that Dubai’s continued hosting of this event since its inception reinforces its position as a global sports and tourism destination, and confirms its pivotal role in connecting East and West in the world of sports.
