In a major surprise that shook Arab and international sports circles, the official accounts of the Globe Soccer Awards revealed the final shortlist of nominees for the 2025 Best Player in the World award. The announcement came as a great shock to fans of Arab and African football, as the list saw the exclusion of two of the most prominent stars of the beautiful game at the moment.
The absence of Arab stars from the final scene
The shortlist announced on Thursday notably omitted Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's top scorer, who has been delivering exceptional performances in the English Premier League this season. The surprise wasn't limited to Salah, however, as it also included Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi, the right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, a key player for both his club and national team.
This exclusion has sparked widespread controversy among analysts and fans, especially given the record-breaking numbers and goal-scoring contributions that the duo have made with their clubs in the top five leagues, which made them permanent candidates on the initial lists for global awards.
The final list of nominees for the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards
The shortlist for the title of best in the world was limited to only five names, representing a mix of experience and rising young talents:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona – Spain): The young gem who stole the show with a dazzling performance.
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain – Portugal): The midfielder who proved his worth on the French pitches.
- Rafinha (Barcelona – Brazil): The brilliant Brazilian winger with the Catalan club.
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid – France): The global star who recently moved to Real Madrid and is looking for individual titles.
- Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain – France): The speedy winger who has regained his brilliance.
The importance and global standing of the Globe Soccer Awards
The Globe Soccer Awards are one of the most prestigious annual events on the global football calendar. Launched in 2010, the award quickly established itself as a leading contender alongside FIFA's Ballon d'Or and The Best awards. What makes this award unique is its combination of public voting and the opinions of expert judging panels comprised of coaches and former stars, giving it a distinctive character and high credibility.
The award gains added importance as it is held in the Emirate of Dubai, which has become a destination for international athletes and a center for sports decision-making. The ceremony annually brings together an elite group of legends of the game, club presidents and player agents, making it an event that goes beyond simply distributing awards to become a global sports gathering.
Date of the highly anticipated concert in Dubai
All eyes in the football world are on Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on December 28th . The event will see the crowning of the world's best player for 2025 from among the five nominees, in what promises to be a night of dazzling glamour and star power, despite the absence of Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, who will undoubtedly remain a hot topic until the ceremony.
